HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — This week, April 15-21, is National Volunteer Week.

The Central West Virginia/ WV Region Chapter is celebrating its dedicated volunteers and partners and the role they play in making it possible for the organization to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

Red Cross officials are also encouraging people who have been thinking about volunteering to take the plunge.

People wanting to make a difference should contact the Central West Virginia/ WV Region Chapter to learn about getting involved.

Right now the Red Cross especially needs people who would like to work in the Emergency Services Office, blood services, and volunteer in community classes as instructors.

The Red Cross has 15 volunteers for every one employee. These volunteers are people in action — whether providing comfort to a family whose home has been washed away in a flood or getting an emergency message to a member of the military whose father is critically ill.

American Red Cross volunteers teach first aid, CPR, swimming and other lifesaving skills, respond to disasters and reconnect families separated by disasters or conflict, support blood drives across the country and help veterans, members of the military and their families in the U.S. and overseas.

To volunteer, contact the Central West Virginia/ WV Region Chapter at redcrosswv.org, or at (304) 526-2900.