The American Red Cross is more than just blood drives and there are some great volunteer…read moreopportunities available.  I am a volunteer  for disaster services and volunteer recruitment. In these roles, with proper training I am able to deploy to a variety of disasters or other catastrophic events. We've had people deploy to areas such as Puerto Rico after the hurricane,  the midwest after flooding and even here in WNY when a shelter is opened the Red Cross is there to respond. This doesn't apply to just large impact events as the Red Cross will come in and provide assistance after a house fire.  As part of the disaster services team additionally you can train to participate in a variety of community and education opportunities such as Sound the Alarm where applicants get 3 FREE smoke alarms installed in their residence (no requirements) and receive fire safety education. Additionally there are opportunities such as the Pillowcase Project where volunteers come into school and discuss disaster preparedness at a school age appropriate level and provide a pillowcase to the students to help them be better prepared or at the adult level you can be a preparedness educator providing adults and teens with disaster preparedness education that covers topics like natural disasters, manmade disasters and active shooter. You'd be surprised how much supplies you should have on hand to be ready for just a few days.  90% of the work completed by the Red Cross is done by volunteers! That includes a variety of roles well beyond my own experiences above. You can provide administrative assistance in the office,  volunteer for blood services by scheduling appointments and working the check-in table or providing transportation. Furthermore there are fundraising volunteers, volunteer recruitment volunteers and services to the Armed Forces.  If you want to learn more, be a recipient of a service such as Sound the Alarm or interested in becoming more involved and make a difference in your community and beyond I highly recommend you check out: https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html

Give blood every 56 days... You can save up to three lives with every donation!!!…read more I've been donating my blood since I was 16 years old, even though I needed parental permission at that age. Even before that, I would go with my Dad every time he donated because I thought it was such an easy way to give back. Since moving back to Buffalo, I've been donating as close to every 56 days as I possibly can, in order to maximize the number of lives I could potentially help to save! Have you given blood? Have you helped to save a life? Some blood types are rare, meaning all the more reason that everyone should try to give blood - at least once! I understand giving blood isn't for everyone but I hope people at least try it once before they dismiss it altogether... ...especially because there are such great places to donate in the Buffalo/Western New York area. Whether it's a roaming blood drive or the American Red Cross site on Delaware Avenue, I've never been disappointed giving blood with the Red Cross. When I'm not donating at UB's North Campus, I frequent this National Red Cross. It's clean, there are plenty of snacks, coffee, water, juices, etc. and their hours are wonderful. They're open six days a week now - closed on Wednesdays of all days! I was in and out in less than an hour. Another thing I like about the Red Cross (as an added bonus) is their tokens of appreciation for donating blood. Sometimes they give away t-shirts and sometimes they have monthly raffles such as gift cards for gas. While this review is about donating blood, this Red Cross is home to other opportunities as well - CPR/AED training, disaster relief, and more! Check it out!

Needed CPR/AED recert and found Action CPR online through a search. Easy website navigation and…read moreeasy sign-up. Arrived at the workshop and the building and door were clearly marked even though a few other participants said they couldn't find it. The building has the sign and address number largely and clearly marked above the entrance door. Plenty of parking and the workshop was very well run. The instructor (I believe her name was Pam) was awesome! Kept the pace moving along and was engaging and knowledgeable and even entertaining. Social distancing and sanitization were followed. Very clear instruction and even some great info for practical purposes that were not in the manual. Great experience and the room setup was bright, comfortable and practical. Be on time as they will not allow you to enter the class if you arrive too late as it disrupts the class and you miss out on the required hours. I highly recommend this company for your CPR/AED cert and recert. Affordable, convenient and great presenter!!

Fantastic place to go for your ACLS. Instructor was very good and put meet at ease with a very…read morepleasant, upbeat attitude.

I went here few years ago for my ACLS, the instructor was very straightforward and knowledgeable…read more The price was also very reasonable.

This was the most entertaining and informative CPR class I have ever taken. Teresa kept us fully…read moreengaged and participating for 2.5 hours. She got us ready for the next emergency.

I donated a little over a month ago and cannot wait to do it again, my overall experience was…read morerelatively painless and I was very happy to have helped someone in need. Afterwards, the workers of the Red Cross made sure I was comfortable until they were absolutely sure I was healthy enough to leave. The whole thing took about half an hour and was very rewarding.