Nov 29, 2024 2 min read

The storms that hit Florida and North Carolina this year were just another painful reminder of how the need for American Red Cross services has never been greater.

With National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data showing that 2024 is our country’s second-highest year of billion-dollar disasters, many people won’t be able to spend the holidays at home. For thousands, this year’s disasters reduced their homes to rubble, leaving them to seek refuge at an emergency shelter, in temporary housing or at a loved one’s. I saw this firsthand as one of more than 100 Red Crossers from our region who deployed to the Southeast to help people affected by these unforgiving storms. I will never forget how it felt to see the devastation up close and hear the emotional stories from families who were directly impacted.

But there’s hope, thanks to volunteers and donors, whose support through the Red Cross is helping people to rebuild their lives with aid, such as providing a safe place to stay, food, emotional support and recovery assistance.

The need for this help is growing, amid the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters. Today, we’re responding to twice as many major U.S. disasters as we did a decade ago — all on top of local, everyday crises like home fires that are no less heartbreaking.

With no signs of the climate crisis slowing down, communities are depending on all of us to be there with support to alleviate catastrophic human suffering when the next disaster strikes. We cannot do it alone.

In 2024, nearly 800 people volunteered their time to support our Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, helping more than 900 people after local disasters. Contributions of time, talent and treasure have made and will continue to make a difference.

Jorge Martinez

Pittsburgh

Martinez is the CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania and executive director of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter.