Red Cross Volunteers Answered 14,000+ Calls in 2026

When Chris Gallegos heard that two dozen of his friends and family lost their homes in the Altadena wildfires, he knew he had to do something bigger than just sending thoughts and prayers.

A year and a half ago, after hearing nothing but praise about how the Red Cross helped his loved ones, Chris signed up to volunteer. Now he's in Washington state, packing wildfire kits for families returning to what's left of their homes in Spokane.

He's one of thousands answering an urgent call. Red Cross volunteers have responded to more than 14,000 disaster situations so far in 2026, spanning wildfires, typhoons, and floods across the nation.

In Hawaii this spring, volunteer Sarah Clifford helped evacuee Alvin Parks after catastrophic flooding tore homes from their foundations. When she learned Parks had forgotten a critical medical device during his evacuation, she arranged for it to be replaced that same day.

Across the Pacific in Guam, 81-year-old Peter King deployed after Super Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the Marianas Islands. Despite knowing this might be his final mission, he called it "a terrific swan song." His favorite part? Watching strangers become friends between breakfast and dinner at Red Cross shelters.

The volunteers come from everywhere. Iowa farmers work alongside Maryland residents. South Dakota neighbors team up with New York retirees. They load emergency response vehicles, staff shelters, and knock on doors to check on people who might otherwise be forgotten.

The Ripple Effect

Chris Gallegos grew up in Altadena, calling it "a mecca for middle class families buying their first homes." When disaster struck his childhood community, volunteers showed up. Their compassion didn't just help his loved ones recover. It inspired him to become part of a nationwide network that turns tragedy into hope, one deployment at a time.

Now the Red Cross needs more people like Chris. As disasters increase in frequency and intensity, the organization is urging others to get trained and get involved.

Every volunteer represents dozens of families who'll have a warm meal, a safe shelter, or a replacement for something they thought was lost forever.

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