V olunteering is the heart of the American Red Cross. When there is a fire, it's most likely that there will be Red Cross volunteers on the scene. It's volunteers that sponsor and run blood mobiles.
Volunteers teach most of our first aid classes.
And it's volunteers that staff our fund-raising events. In fact, experts say that the hours you spend volunteering can add years to your life, especially in the case of older adults. One of the most well-documented benefits of volunteering is that it expands a person's social network. People with strong social support systems tend to be in better overall health than those who spend most of their time alone. According to a recent Canadian study, social support is directly linked to good health and a general sense of well-being.