VOLUNTEERING WITH THE

AMERICAN RED CROSS

By Dennis T Wang

INTRODUCTION The Co-Founder and Chief Principal Officer of Alexander

Wang, Inc, Dennis T. Wang previously served in executive positions with Gap, Inc, and Aeon Group International. Outside of his professional career, Dennis T. Wang supports a range of philanthropic groups, including the American Red Cross.

Dedicated to helping people in need throughout the world by providing essential donations and help from trained volunteers, the nonprofit American Red Cross was founded in 1881. For the past 135 years, the organization has promoted core principles that include neutrality, independence, universality, and humanity. In addition to their blood donation services, which provides over 40 percent of the country’s supply, the Red Cross offers a range of international and disaster relief services.

AMERICAN RED CROSS With 90 percent of its humanitarian workforce being

volunteers, the American Red Cross has a number of volunteer opportunities at home and abroad. To get started as a volunteer, interested parties should contact their local Red Cross chapter to find out which areas need immediate help, including local disaster relief. Depending on need, disaster volunteers provide food and shelter for people who have lost their homes due to tornadoes, fires, or hurricanes. Disaster volunteers may also spearhead volunteer recruitment or disaster preparedness education. Interested parties can also act as Red Cross digital advocates by sharing the organization’s content on social media or by leading an online fundraiser, among other opportunities.