COVID-19 one year later: Americans continue to step up to address families' urgent needs

SAN DIEGO – One year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, people have stepped up to address the emotional needs of families reeling from the coronavirus and 2020’s record-breaking disasters.

In San Diego and Imperial counties and across the country, trained American Red Cross disaster mental health and spiritual care volunteers have had more than 53,000 conversations to provide emotional support to people in 2020 – which had the greatest number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year.

In addition, trained volunteers have provided free crisis counseling through the Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center for grieving families during COVID-19.

“The past year has been overwhelming for many in our community, and yet through it all, people are caring for one another,” Sean Mahoney, CEO of Red Cross Southern California Region, said. “When help can’t wait, our selfless volunteers provide families the support they need during emergencies. During Red Cross Month in March, we honor this humanitarian spirit and ask you to join us by donating, giving blood, volunteering or taking a class to learn lifesaving skills.”

What is Red Cross Month?

For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize people giving back through its life saving mission – which is powered by more than 90% volunteers.

They include people like Pat Lloyd who supports each Red Cross line of service in some shape or form, including Blood Services, Disaster Services, Service to the Armed Forces, the Women, Infants and Children Program and more. A longtime volunteer, Lloyd has also played an integral role in supporting disaster prevention and relief initiatives throughout San Diego and Imperial counties and is actively involved in the Home Fire Campaign. Lloyd helps educate community members on home fire prevention efforts and installs free smoke alarms to help prevent home fire deaths and injuries in our communities.

Volunteers also include Tim and Gina Glover, a husband/wife duo helping serve the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross by donating their time to deliver blood products to local area hospitals as Transportation Specialists.

“It’s extremely fulfilling and just a wonderful way to give back to the community,” Gina Glover said.

A growing desire to give back

A 2020 study on a rise in volunteer experiences added to LinkedIn profiles shows that more people want to help others during this unprecedented time. Last year, more than 70,000 people across the country became new Red Cross volunteers largely to support urgent disaster and essential blood donation needs. In addition, thousands of COVID-19 survivors – many new to blood donation – rolled up a sleeve to give convalescent plasma and help patients battling COVID-19.

How to help

You can help ensure that families don’t face emergencies alone – especially during a pandemic:

Donate: Support our Disaster Relief efforts at http://redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance. Your donation will be part of our annual Giving Day, March 24, to aid families in need across the country.

Volunteer: Visit http://redcross.org/VolunteerToday for most-needed positions and local opportunities.

Give blood: If you’re healthy and feeling well, make an appointment at http://RedCrossBlood.org. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for a patient in need. As a thank you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 15-26 will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Learn lifesaving skills: Take a class in skills like CPR and first aid to help in an emergency at http://redcross.org/TakeAClass. Online options include Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 course, which covers how to manage stress and support yourself and others.

Submitted by the American Red Cross.