During National Volunteer Week, April 12 to 18, the American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania Region honored its volunteers who give their time to help people in need.

Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of volunteers are part of the Red Cross.

They respond to fires, teach lifesaving skills, such as first aid and CPR, volunteer at veterans hospitals, help staff blood drives and so much more.

"Volunteer Week is the perfect time to thank once again our incredible volunteers," Judge Renée Cardwell Hughes, CEO, Eastern Pennsylvania Region of the American Red Cross said. "We could not carry out the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross without these amazing men and women who give so much of themselves to help neighbors in need.

"Our community is stronger and better because of our wonderful volunteers. We encourage everyone to take time this week to thank a Red Cross volunteer."

Last year, the Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania Region volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to 834 local families who faced emergency situations.

They trained 38,601 people in lifesaving skills and provided 1,845 services to military members, veterans and their families.

The Red Cross invites members of the community to sign up today and become a Red Cross volunteer.

There are many ways people can get involved.

Go to redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application. The Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign offers another way to volunteer and help reduce the number of home fire injuries and deaths in the area.

Volunteers are going door-to-door in neighborhoods at high risk for fires to install smoke alarms and teach people about home fire safety. People who might want to volunteer during a disaster should download the Team Red Cross app.

This free app allows people to sign up to help, get an overview on basic tasks and receive notifications about local Red Cross volunteer opportunities.

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Editor's Note: Anthony C. Tornetta is the director of communications with American Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania Region