Pacific Islands: 90% of Red Cross Workers Are Volunteers

A tradition of compassion runs deep in the Pacific Islands, where nearly every Red Cross worker volunteers their time to help neighbors in need.

New data from the American Red Cross reveals that over 90% of their Pacific Islands Region workforce consists of volunteers. These 1,900 people serve communities across Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

The Alarcon family embodies this spirit perfectly. Mom Reziel, Dad Noel, 23-year-old Kylie, and 17-year-old Caleb volunteer together installing smoke alarms, teaching CPR, and bringing disaster preparedness lessons to elementary schools.

"Giving back together brings us closer," said Kylie, a University of Hawaii at Manoa student. "We get to teach side by side, and we learn from the communities we meet."

Their neighbors call them "The Family" because they show up together so often. With over a decade of combined service, they represent how volunteering becomes a shared family tradition in island communities.

The Ripple Effect

The volunteer workforce spans every generation. Gen Z makes up 42% of volunteers, the fastest growing group, followed by Millennials at 24%.

Baby Boomers contribute 18% of the workforce, anchoring disaster response and military family support roles. Gen X volunteers represent 9%, while the Silent Generation continues serving at 7%, often filling cultural bridging roles and preparedness education.

Youth engagement keeps growing through high school and college Red Cross Clubs throughout the islands. Working adults handle logistics and disaster response, while long-serving kupuna (elders) share wisdom and maintain connections with communities.

"Generation after generation, our island communities have shown that compassion is one of our greatest strengths," said Molly Schmidt, Pacific Islands Region CEO. This March, during Red Cross Month, the organization celebrates how people deliver support when help can't wait.

The Alarcons encourage other families to join them. Their message is simple: bring your loved ones, make it fun, and make it your own.

Volunteering transforms not just communities but the volunteers themselves. As the Alarcon family proves, serving together strengthens bonds while building a safer, more prepared Pacific Islands region for everyone.