James,

As you finish checking off your holiday shopping list, we hope you have time to help us give one more gift: the gift of a helping hand.

Every day, people around the world count on the American Red Cross in their darkest moments — whether they face an urgent need for lifesaving blood, have lost their home to a disaster or are counting on basic vaccinations.

But we depend on your help to be there for those who need us most. That’s why we’re asking today: Will you please make a holiday gift to help us be there for those facing emergencies, whenever and wherever they occur?

Special Edition: Year in Review
Red CrossWord Puzzle!

This year, supporters like you helped the Red Cross make an immeasurable impact in the communities we’ve served. As we close out 2024, we’re looking back on how you helped us be there when we were needed most. Test your knowledge now with our 2024 Year in Review edition of the Red CrossWord puzzle!

The Greatest Gift is You, Volunteer Today!

JOIN US TODAY

The holiday season is a time for festivities and family. It’s also a time for giving. This year, you can give a meaningful gift that helps people through some of life’s toughest moments. Give the gift of your time. Become a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer and respond to local disasters, such as home fires, to ensure those affected have access to necessities such as food, shelter and water. You can make a difference! Join today at redcross.org/volunteer.

Give the Gift of Preparedness This Season

BROWSE KITS

Looking for a holiday gift? Give the gift of peace of mind with essential Red Cross emergency preparedness and first aid products. Perfect for family and friends, these practical and thoughtful kits are designed to provide support during unexpected events, whether on the road or at home. Our Emergency Preparedness/First Aid Auto Kit with a soft case is now back in stock, along with our Deluxe Family First Aid Kit to help manage everyday scrapes and more. Stay prepared and share a gift that makes a difference.

Give Something That Means Something®

GIVE BLOOD

Warm hearts this winter and choose between these two special gifts! Hurry in to donate blood Dec. 9-15 to receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of your choice* OR you can get an exclusive American Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt when you donate blood Dec. 16-Jan. 3, while supplies last!^

Treatments don’t stop over the holidays for patients relying on blood transfusions. You can help us prevent a shortage and give patients more hope and healing. Book now.

Donate a Vehicle to the Red Cross Today!

LEARN MORE

Your old vehicle has something left to give. By donating it to the Red Cross, you can help power our lifesaving mission. Every day, people face emergencies of all sizes — from prolonged and life-threatening blood shortages, to more frequent and intense disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, to the unique challenges faced by military families, to a person in need of lifesaving CPR provided by a trained bystander.

Donating your vehicle — in almost any condition — is one great way to help us help others in your community. Watch this short video to learn more about our Vehicle Donation Program.

Why I Give…

Three Generations of Red Cross Volunteers

READ JOAN’S STORY

Joan Margolius is a volunteer blood donor ambassador at the American Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center in San Diego, California. Her dedication to support the Red Cross mission is inspired by two generations of remarkable women: her mother, Florence Sayles Margolius, and her grandmother, Ray Kauffman Sayles.

“Work with the Red Cross is just part of life,” said Joan when reflecting on her family’s involvement. “The Red Cross gets my blood, my sweat for volunteering, and my tears in monetary donations.”

Joan is proud of her mother and grandmother’s generational legacy and is happy to continue supporting the Red Cross. Read more about her story here.

Light the World

Thank you to our long-term partner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for supporting the Red Cross through the Light the World campaign. Now through the end of December the public can give to the Red Cross through giving machines in select locations and online.

Get access to decades of Red Cross knowledge at your fingertips! Download our FREE mobile apps today and get the tools and preparedness information that you need. Available on App Store® or Google Play™

Get more of the latest Red Cross news:

• Red Cross on 2024 Trends: Climate Crisis Creates Massive Humanitarian Needs
• Red Cross Adapts Services to Support Rural North Carolina following Hurricane Helene
• Updated First Aid Guidelines Enhance Care for Opioid Overdose, Bleeding and Other Emergencies

Each December, we recognize Clara Barton — the teacher, patent clerk, battlefield nurse and founder of the American Red Cross — who was born on Christmas Day more than 200 years ago.

For all of us at the Red Cross, Clara is so much more than our founder. Her selfless devotion to caring for others — even in the most difficult of circumstances — continues to guide and inspire our mission today.

Clara once said, “You must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it.” Today, we face new, daunting challenges — more frequent and intense disasters, shortages of lifesaving blood and crises and conflict around the globe. But with your help, I know we will continue to deliver comfort and hope for tomorrow to neighbors in need.

Thank you for being a valued part of this community. On behalf of everyone at the Red Cross, we wish you a safe, healthy and joy-filled holiday season.

-- Cliff Holtz
President and CEO
American Red Cross

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