LEWISTON – The United Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is celebrating National Volunteer Week, recognizing the volunteers who have made it possible for the Red Cross to assist people who need help in Central and Western Maine.

The agency responded to 55 local disasters, 190 Armed Forces emergency services calls and collected 12,000 pints of blood last year.

The United Valley Chapter is recruiting for Disaster Action Teams and Armed Forces Emergency Services.

In a recent survey, 97 percent of Red Cross volunteers said the Red Cross is an excellent place to volunteer and that their job gives them a sense of accomplishment; 98 percent said they’d recommend the Red Cross to their friends.

For more information about Red Cross services and volunteer opportunities, contact the United Valley Chapter at 795-4004.