Indiana Red Cross urges community support ahead of Giving Day on March 25

As spring ushers in a season of severe and volatile weather, the American Red Cross Indiana Region is calling on the community to help ensure families don't face disasters alone. The organization is asking for public support during its annual Red Cross Giving Day tomorrow, March 25.

Funds raised during Giving Day go directly toward Disaster Relief, providing displaced families with a safe place to sleep, warm meals, and assistance in replacing essential items lost in minutes.

The need for disaster relief has been acutely felt across Indiana recently. In 2025, the local Red Cross responded to tornadoes, flooding, severe winter weather, and home fires that impacted more than 2,000 families. The pace has not slowed this year; since January 1, local volunteers have provided comfort and assistance to more than 370 people following 318 local disasters, the majority of which were home fires.

Just this month, Indiana disaster teams have been on the ground supporting residents impacted by tornadoes in Northwest Indiana, as well as those displaced by a significant fire at a senior living apartment complex in Danville.

Nationally, the organization has also faced a grueling start to the year. Severe winter storms in January forced families across multiple states to seek Red Cross support, with the organization providing more meals and snacks that month than during the previous year's record-breaking Los Angeles wildfires. In February, more than 100 shelters were opened nationwide to assist families displaced by winter storms, West Coast flooding, and Plains wildfires.

Red Cross officials emphasize that donating before an emergency strikes is critical. Giving Day contributions allow the organization to stock warehouses with urgently needed relief supplies, train volunteers in advance, maintain logistics systems and vehicles, and quickly set up shelters in pre-identified safe locations. A gift of any size makes an impact; for example, a $20 donation can provide a full day of meals for someone devastated by a disaster.

In addition to financial contributions, the Red Cross is highlighting a critical need for blood donations. This year's severe weather across the country has caused thousands of blood donations to go uncollected, making donors in unaffected areas vital to meeting ongoing patient needs.

To make a financial contribution for Giving Day, visit redcross.org/givingday. Those unable to give financially are strongly encouraged to support the Red Cross mission by volunteering their time or scheduling an appointment to donate blood.