Many people volunteer their time, their energy, their financial resources and their enthusiasm to a favorite charity or "cause" as a way of "giving back" to a community that has helped to make them successful. Others do it to ensure a place in history.

And still others give because, they, or a loved one, have witnessed the positive affect that the agency, organization or event has on the community.

Whatever your reason for giving, the American Red Cross says "thank you.'  Without your dedication, your inspiration and your commitment, your Red Cross wouldn't be the success that it is.

The  very foundation of the American Red Cross is its volunteer work force. Today, approximately 1.3 million people volunteers with the Red Cross nationwide, and the ratio of Red Cross volunteers to paid staff is approximately 45 to 1.