PHILADELPHIA, PA — New data released by the American Red Cross shows that nearly 3,300 volunteers in Southeastern Pennsylvania represent multiple generations, with Generation Z accounting for the largest and fastest-growing share of the organization’s volunteer base.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Region includes Philadelphia and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery.
According to the Red Cross, volunteers ages 13 to 28 represent 48% of the region’s volunteer base, driven largely by student-led Red Cross clubs.
Baby Boomers account for 19% of volunteers, followed by Millennials at 17%.
Generation X volunteers represent about 7.5% of the total, while the Silent Generation — those age 81 and older — make up about 1%.
“Generation after generation, the Greater Philadelphia community has shown that compassion is one of our greatest strengths,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO of the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.
The organization said 28 student-led Red Cross clubs operate across high schools and colleges in the region, with nearly 900 students contributing more than 1,500 volunteer service hours so far this academic year.
Generation Z volunteers have logged more than 8,000 service hours this fiscal year across Red Cross programs.
According to the organization, volunteers assist with smoke alarm installations, blood donor support, preparedness education, assembling comfort kits for veterans, and other community services.
Unionville High School senior Anika Harris helped establish her school’s Red Cross club and serves as its president, organizing blood drives, fundraising efforts, and preparedness training programs.
“The emphasis on youth involvement has really been surprising and heartwarming,” Harris said.
Harriton High School junior Zain Ahmad also founded a Red Cross club at his school after first volunteering during a smoke alarm installation event at age 13.
Ahmad later joined the regional communications team and has written more than two dozen blog articles about Red Cross activities.
“Many of my peers assumed the Red Cross was only about blood drives,” Ahmad said. “I wanted to show them the breadth of opportunities that make it possible for anyone to contribute.”
The Red Cross released the volunteer data during Red Cross Month, which highlights the role volunteers play in delivering services across the organization’s humanitarian programs.
Residents interested in volunteering can learn more at https://www.redcross.org/volunteer, and additional information about Red Cross programs is available at https://www.redcross.org.
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