Blood Drive Volunteers Sought

The American Red Cross seeks volunteers to support blood drives in Central Connecticut and will hold a new volunteer orientation session in Middletown on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a training program.

Help Save a Life - become a Red Cross blood drive volunteer. This New Volunteer Orientation and Blood Drive Training is for people who would like to help at blood drives in the Middletown, New Britain, and Middlesex Valley area.

Volunteering is easy and helps support the collection of lifesaving blood by making donors feel welcome and comfortable. Volunteers welcome donors with a smile and warm greeting, track the donor appointment system, provide written information for the donor to read and move them into the information collection and donation process. Volunteers help after blood donation by serving refreshments after donor has given blood, thanking donors as they leave the table, keeping the refreshment area clean and tidy and helping to maintain a safe and healthy environment at drives.

No special skills are needed. The Red Cross will provide training. Basic qualifications include good communication skills, an ability to maneuver between stations and the ability to spend a small amount of time on your feet as you help to stock the refreshment area.

Volunteer opportunities are weekdays once a week or once a month, according to your schedule. No evening hours are currently available. Volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from drives.

Pre-registration for the session is required. Contact the Volunteer Resources team at (860) 678-2803 to register. You may also request information or register by email to CTVol@ctredcross.org. Potential volunteers should allow some extra time following the orientation for a training presentation.

The American Red Cross workforce is more than 95% volunteer. Its work is accomplished through the donations of time, money and blood by generous individuals.