Wyoming Red Cross Unites 170 Volunteers Across 5 Generations

When disaster strikes in Wyoming, help arrives from volunteers aged 13 to 90, all united by a single mission: be there when help can't wait.

The American Red Cross of Wyoming just released data showing its volunteer force spans five generations, from Gen Z teens running school disaster prep clubs to Silent Generation members who've served for decades. Nearly 170 people across the state donate their time to respond to home fires, teach CPR, support military families, and coordinate emergency shelters.

Millennials make up the largest slice at 42%, followed by Baby Boomers at 22.5% and Gen X at 20.3%. But the fastest growing group? Gen Z volunteers at 13%, driven largely by students starting Red Cross clubs at their schools.

Janet Lewis, executive director of the Red Cross of Wyoming, sees this multigenerational mix as Wyoming's greatest strength. "In moments when help can't wait, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together to offer care, comfort and hope," she said.

The opportunities fit every schedule and skill level. Teens organize fundraisers and teach peers about emergency preparedness. Young professionals gain resume experience through disaster response and communications roles, with flexible virtual and in-person options. Retired healthcare workers and business leaders apply decades of expertise to disaster mental health, shelter operations, and community leadership.

Carol Harper from Riverton exemplifies this spirit of service, connecting communities through preparedness training and disaster response. She's one of hundreds of volunteers who've made the Red Cross mission possible in Wyoming for generations.

Why This Inspires

This isn't just about numbers or demographics. It's proof that serving others creates bridges across age gaps that often divide us. A Gen Z college student and a Baby Boomer retiree might disagree on plenty, but when a family loses their home to fire at 2 AM, they show up together with blankets, resources, and hope. That shared purpose matters now more than ever.

March is Red Cross Month, a tradition that started during World War II as a call to address humanitarian needs. This year, it culminates with Red Cross Giving Day on March 25, aiming to unite 30,000 supporters for disaster relief funding.

Whether you're 13 or 90, there's a role waiting at redcross.org.