PRESS RELEASE:

Bozeman, July 26, 2013 — The American Red Cross launched a new the new volunteer app last week, just in time for wildfire season here in Montana. The Team Red Cross App allows people to sign up to help, get an overview of the basic tasks involved in volunteering for Red Cross, and receive notifications about Red Cross volunteer opportunities in their community.

 

“When people see an emergency happening in their community, they often want to help but may not know how,” said Rod Kopp, CEO of Amer4ican Red Cross of Montana. “The Team Red Cross App provides an easy and quick way for people to sign up to help the Red Cross and support their community.”

 Once users download the app, they create an account. Then they learn about different jobs, such as working in a warehouse, handing out supplies or assisting with feeding. When the Red Cross has a need for volunteers, the Team Red Cross App will notify users based on their location. Potential volunteers can instantly accept or decline the volunteer opportunity.

 The Red Cross is encouraging the public to download the app before the next wildfire or other disaster strikes in Montana so volunteers can help immediately.

 The app is free and designed for iPhone and Android smart phones and tablets. Additional features include:

  • A quick orientation to the App right on the mobile device.
  • Ability for people to share notifications for volunteers with their social network.
  • An option to earn digital “badges” by completing a job test, accepting a job, sharing the app, recruiting volunteers, etc. The “badges” can then be shared with their social network.
  • Ability to donate money to the Red Cross and sign up to donate blood.
  • Emergency response information that people can share with their friends at the touch of a button.

 The Team Red Cross App is the seventh in a series of highly successful Red Cross apps which are now on more than 3 million mobile devices across the country. A recent Red Cross survey shows that apps are now tied with social media as the fourth most popular way to get information during emergencies—behind TV, radio and online news sites. Nearly one-fifth of Americans say they’ve received some kind of emergency information from an app they’ve downloaded, making the Red Cross apps an important way for the public to get ready for disasters.

 The Team Red Cross App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps. Montanans can explore and download other free Red Cross apps on the Red Cross website, including a wildfire app, a first aid app and a shelter app.

 For those who prefer to sign up to volunteer or donate in more traditional ways, please visit www.redcross.org/montana or call 1-800-ARC-MONT (1-800-272-6668). Contributions may also be sent to American Red Cross of Montana, 1300 28th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

 About the American Red Cross:
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 redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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