Red Cross urges community to join lifesaving mission
Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network
Critical Need for Red Cross Volunteers in the Northwest Chapter
MERRILLVILLE, Ind.— In 2025, local volunteers became a lifeline for hundreds of neighbors reeling from disasters across our community.
In a powerful display of service, volunteers with our Northwest Chapter responded alongside local partners to more than 275 disasters, from devastating tornadoes to home fires. Our volunteers provided safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support and health services to families affected. Their compassion made a profound difference for those facing their darkest moments.
The need for this support shows no sign of slowing. Across the U.S., Red Cross home fire responses spike nearly 20% during the holidays, when cooking and heating risks increase. In the Indiana Region alone, more than 1,100 people typically rely on the Red Cross after home fires in November and December.
“When disaster strikes, every second counts. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we’re able to respond immediately after a home fire to provide comfort and hope,” said Sarah Moss, Executive Director of the Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross in Indiana. “This holiday season, I encourage community members to step forward and make a meaningful impact by becoming a Red Cross volunteer.”
This year, people also came together through our mission to support hospital patients who rely on donated blood for survival. Generous volunteer blood donors rolled up their sleeves to help make a difference, allowing us to collect more than 33,000 units of lifesaving blood in our Northwest Chapter.
The need for blood is constant, and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays. Visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment near you.
This Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or give back through volunteering.
To read stories of how people in our community and across the region made a difference in 2025, visit redcross.org/inyearinreview.
SOURCE: News release from American Red Cross
About GivingTuesday:
GivingTuesday is an annual event dedicated to boosting radical generosity, held on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Created in 2012 at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the idea behind GivingTuesday was to set aside a single day to give back. Over 13 years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to donate, volunteer and spread awareness. For many nonprofits, funds raised on GivingTuesday serve as an important kickoff for year-end charitable campaigns.
About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @indianaredcross.