American Red Cross Honors Thousands of Volunteers During National Volunteer Week 2026

National Volunteer Week ran from April 19 to 25, 2026, and the American Red Cross used the occasion to spotlight the people who keep its operations running. About 90% of the Red Cross workforce is unpaid volunteers — donating their time to staff blood drives, support military families, teach lifesaving classes and respond to disasters around the country.

In Los Angeles alone, more than 6,000 active volunteers serve their neighbors. The regional Red Cross hosted a Volunteer Excellence Awards ceremony on April 11 at Sonesta LAX, recognizing individuals whose contributions stood out over the past year. Beyond awards, regional offices opened their doors to potential new volunteers and shared stories from those who responded to the Los Angeles wildfires earlier in the year.

“About 90% of the Red Cross workforce is unpaid volunteers — donating their time to staff blood drives, support military families, teach lifesaving classes and respond to disasters around the country.”

The Red Cross is one of dozens of organizations that mark April as National Volunteer Month. Points of Light, the United Way and faith-based service networks all coordinate national initiatives during this stretch — collectively engaging tens of millions of Americans. Studies consistently link regular volunteering with stronger mental health, longer lifespan and a deeper sense of community belonging, especially for older adults.

For organizations recovering from a year of wildfires, hurricanes and floods, this springtime celebration is also a recruiting moment. The Red Cross alone trains tens of thousands of new volunteers each year — for disaster response, blood services and youth programs. The message: the people who showed up this year are why so many were able to come home, find shelter or get the blood they needed in time.