Opportunities From: United Way for Southeastern Michigan

We help people affected by disasters ranging from home fires to hurricanes by providing food, shelter, clothing, comfort and hope. Each year, volunteers respond to approx. 2,300 local disaster across the state of Michigan.

Disaster Action Team Member (Disaster Services Member): DAT Members work on a scheduled, on-call basis and respond to disasters in their local community/geographical area Day and overnight shifts available 24/7 – 365 days a year Shifts are scheduled in advance (by the responder). Responders are expected to answer emergency calls and respond while on-duty. Work with clients to begin the recovery casework process Length of shift will vary by geographical area

 

Provide a warm, friendly greeting to all donors Instruct and make donor comfortable in registration procedures Maintain smooth flow of donors into donation area Be alert and notify Red Cross staff if a donor does not appear to be feeling well Offer refreshments and conversation Explain importance of blood donations and encourage people to donate regularly Help schedule appointments for the next blood drive Set up and maintain cleanliness in canteen area Screen blood donors for health concerns

Provide a warm, friendly greeting to all donors Instruct and make donor comfortable in registration procedures Maintain smooth flow of donors into donation area Be alert and notify Red Cross staff if a donor does not appear to be feeling well Offer refreshments and conversation Explain importance of blood donations and encourage people to donate regularly Help schedule appointments for the next blood drive Set up and maintain cleanliness in canteen area Screen blood donors for health concerns

Provide a warm, friendly greeting to all donors Instruct and make donor comfortable in registration procedures Maintain smooth flow of donors into donation area Be alert and notify Red Cross staff if a donor does not appear to be feeling well Offer refreshments and conversation Explain importance of blood donations and encourage people to donate regularly Help schedule appointments for the next blood drive Set up and maintain cleanliness in canteen area Screen blood donors for health concerns

The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.

Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As the coronavirus pandemic has grown here in the U.S., blood drive cancellations have grown at an alarming rate. To date, nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to concerns about congregating at workplaces, college campuses and schools amidst the coronavirus outbreak. These cancellations have resulted in some 86,000 fewer blood donations. More than 80% of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at locations of this type.

Here in the Michigan Region, approximately 160 blood drives have been canceled, resulting in about 5,100 fewer blood donations. The Red Cross is adding appointment slots at donation centers and expanding capacity at many community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to ensure ample opportunities for donors to give.

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need

The Red Cross expects the number of cancellations to continue to increase, which is causing heightened concern for blood collection organizations and hospitals across the country. This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer.

Again, sign-up by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

 

Receive calls for local Red Cross support services from 1st Responders, Clients or National Red Cross Call Center Input information in Red Cross database & confirm incident details Schedule meeting between Client and Red Cross Disaster Action Team (response volunteers) Maintain communication with Red Cross staff and volunteers Receive information from Disaster Action Team and open a client case in Red Cross system

Support the Red Cross Development Team by serving as a Gift Processing lead.

Key Responsibilities

Open and sort chapter mail Bundle and send check donations Take cash deposits to the bank Use remote software to process non-donation monies

Qualifications

Broad understanding of the American Red Cross and its opportunities for volunteer service Enthusiastic about Red Cross mission and programs Comfortable handling cash and making bank deposits Comfortable working with confidential information Competencies in office technology, including the ability to learn and work with computer software (training provided)

Training

Orientation at the American Red Cross On the job training with volunteer supervisor

Home Fire Campaign Volunteer: Working with your local fire department and your community to educate and install free smoke alarms Test current smoke alarms Install up to three smoke alarms per home. We offer free training. We offer tools necessary to do the job. Our goal is to reduce fatalities by 25% Being part of the bigger picture of giving back to your community