Benefits with Commonwealth of Virginia Members

Help Survivors of a Disaster

Learn how you can volunteer for disaster relief organizations, donate blood, and avoid charity fraud when giving money to support disaster survivors.

Help survivors of a natural disaster.

After a disaster, many people want to volunteer their services or donate money or goods. However, there are tips on volunteering and donating responsibly after a natural disaster. Firstly, do not just "show up" to volunteer assistance. This actually makes things harder for responders. Instead, learn how you can help after a disaster through the following groups and organizations:

• American Red Cross—Volunteers help provide disaster relief, including clean water, hot meals, and shelter to families and communities: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html.
• AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service)—This federal agency partners with volunteers to support disaster recovery efforts: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.nationalservice.gov/focus-areas/disaster-services.
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)—Register with a member organization to help assist communities affected by disasters: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.nvoad.org/howtohelp/volunteer-3/.
• Salvation Army—This international organization partners with volunteers to help disaster survivors with immediate emergency response, long-term recovery efforts, and more: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/.
• The Corporation for National & Community Service—Search for volunteer opportunities in your community, including disaster relief services: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.nationalservice.gov/serve.

Avoid charity fraud.

Make sure your donations are going to the people who need help. Learn how to avoid a charity scam after a natural disaster from the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) Consumer Information website: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams. If you suspect you've encountered disaster fraud, report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

Donate blood.

Blood donation is a simple way to help save a life. It can be given to someone who needs a blood transfusion during surgery, after an accident, or for other medical reasons.

Where to Donate Blood for Disaster Survivors and How to Register

The American Red Cross and the United Blood Services are national organizations that manage blood donations. They are not part of the federal government. Here are two ways to schedule an appointment:

• Contact the American Red Cross blood donation hotline at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or visit its website for local blood drives: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html.
• Visit the United Blood Services website for local blood drives and donor centers: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.bloodhero.com/.
• The Link opens in a new windowArmed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is the official blood donation program for the U.S. military. Most blood products are for ill or injured service members, veterans, and military families worldwide. To make an appointment, see the ASBP website for a list of military blood donor centers: Link opens in a new windowhttp://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/Donors/where_to_give.aspx. Civilians can only donate blood at an ASBP blood donor center on a military installation.

Tips for a First-Time Blood Donor

If you're donating blood for the first time, let the organization know when you make your appointment, and keep these things in mind:

• Is there anything you need to do ahead of time to prepare?
• What are some of the physical effects of donating blood?
• Visit this first-time blood donors' guide from the American Red Cross for more answers: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/common-concerns/first-time-donors.html.
• Learn the requirements to donate blood: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html.
• The government monitors blood and blood products to make sure blood is handled properly and that you're safe as a donor or as a transfusion recipient. Learn more about blood monitoring for safety: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/.