New American Red Cross data released this month shows a snapshot of multigenerational volunteerism here in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
From Gen Z to the Silent Generation, people of all ages comprise the nearly 3,300 active Red Cross volunteers in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region, which includes Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. According to local demographic estimates shared by most Red Cross volunteers:
“Generation after generation, the Greater Philadelphia community has shown that compassion is one of our greatest strengths,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO, Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. “In moments when help can’t wait, Red Cross volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together to offer care, comfort and hope. Their commitment reflects a shared humanitarian spirit that connects us across time and continues to make a meaningful difference through our lifesaving mission—one that has supported families for more than half of our country’s 250-year history.”
This month during Red Cross Month, the Red Cross honors how people today deliver support when help can’t wait. Every contribution matters — visit redcross.org to get involved by volunteering, making a financial donation, giving blood or taking a class in lifesaving skills.
Gen Z Leads the Way
Generation Z is the fastest growing and largest Red Cross cohort, representing nearly half of all active volunteers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. This surge reflects the region’s strong youth and young adult programming, including 28 student-led Red Cross clubs across local high schools and colleges. Nearly 900 students participate in these clubs, collectively contributing more than 1,500 service hours so far this academic year.
Many youth and young adult volunteers extend their involvement beyond school-based activities, engaging directly in the broader Red Cross mission. Gen Z volunteers have already contributed more than 8,000 service hours this fiscal year across all lines of service. They install smoke alarms, support International Humanitarian Law programming, serve as blood donor ambassadors, assemble comfort kits for veterans, write articles for the regional blog and teach youth preparedness classes, among many other contributions.
Some youth volunteers take on an exceptional range of responsibilities. Unionville High School senior Anika Harris co-founded her school’s Red Cross Club two years ago. As president of the roughly 120-member club, she is strengthening her leadership skills by organizing blood drives and fundraisers, coordinating CPR and International Humanitarian Law trainings and helping educate students on preparedness topics such as smoke alarms and flooding. Anika also serves as a blood donor ambassador at the West Chester Blood Donation Center, greeting, checking in and thanking donors to ensure they have a positive experience. Additionally, she represents Southeastern Pennsylvania as a youth and young adult ambassador with the American Red Cross National Youth Council.
Anika says the Red Cross encourages young people and provides the tools they need to turn their ideas into action. “The emphasis on youth involvement has really been surprising and heartwarming,” she shared. “I appreciate the way the Red Cross cares about youth and their perspective on things.”
Like Anika, Harriton High School junior Zain Ahmad founded and now leads his school’s Red Cross Club—but his involvement began even earlier. At age 13, he joined his mom at a Red Cross smoke alarm installation event. Inspired, he began volunteering with the Home Fire Campaign and later served as a documentation lead for several events. The following year, Zain joined the regional communications team and has since written more than two dozen blog stories. He also serves on the region’s Green Team, helping guide the implementation of local sustainability initiatives.
Zain says he created a Red Cross club at his school to help students see how “accessible and impactful volunteering could be.” He added, “Many of my peers assumed the Red Cross was only about blood drives, but I wanted to show them the breadth of opportunities that make it possible for anyone to contribute, in ways both big and small.”
No matter your generation or background, discover a volunteer role that fits you at redcross.org/volunteer.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
