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National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate volunteering and giving back to our community. 
Giving back is a core value of the Canadian Red Cross, and it relies on the commitment of volunteers from all walks of life to meet humanitarian needs in Canada and around the world. 

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate and recognize the thousands of volunteers that make up 70 per cent of the workforce at the Canadian Red Cross. The Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) is one of many volunteer-supported, community-based services made possible by the efforts of thousands of volunteers across Canada.  

Florence Barron began volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross back in the early 1960s. As she marks her 60 years of service, Florence remains steadfast in her volunteer endeavours and commitment to giving back to the community.  

Amr is a media officer with the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Like many of his colleagues, his family has been impacted by the ongoing conflict. We first introduced Amr after his family fled the north of Gaza to Khan Younis. We connected with him again, following yet another relocation. 

For the third consecutive year, Canadian Tiffany Circle members Betty-Lou Craig and Laura Isidean have led an International Women’s Day initiative – Women Supporting Women - that is guided by the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the mission of the Canadian Red Cross. 

In October 2023, the Canadian Red Cross used its International Disaster Relief Fund (IDRF) to fund the deployment of Operations Officer Mark McCaul to support our International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) colleagues in Fiji during cyclone season.

Friendly Calls is a Canadian Red Cross program that matches people over the age of 18 with trained Red Cross personnel. Through regular phone check-ins, our program offers emotional support, healthy coping strategies, and well-being resources and services. 

While the  Friendly Calls Program provides emotional support to people experiencing loneliness and isolation in their everyday lives, what some may not know is that the program can also help participants during sudden and challenging events.

With climate change contributing to the increasing frequency of severe weather events, it's more important than ever for businesses and organizations to be prepared for the unexpected. The Canadian Red Cross, a recognized and trusted leader in emergency preparedness, is extending its expertise to support businesses and community organizations in becoming better prepared through the Ready Rating program.