By Jenny Contreras, intern contributor, American Red Cross

Lately, millennials have been receiving attention for being a service-oriented and altruistic bunch compared to older generations. According to the National Conference on Citizenship, millennials lead every generation with a 43% service rate compared to a 35% service rate among baby boomers. In addition to, the Pew Research Center reported that nearly 57% of millennials say that they had volunteered in the past 12 months.

Although I don’t speak for all millennials, volunteer service is fun! Since I was little, I asked my parents if we could house the homeless in my room, and I also begged them to give me money to drop inside the Salvation Army’s basket during the holidays. Once I got older and I began to fully understand what advocacy was, I was eager to join a cause.

Advocates come in all ages and backgrounds with different passions. The Red Cross’ mission to provide compassionate care to those in need makes it attractive for anyone participating in any movement to volunteer.

Here are a few ways you can be an advocate for the Red Cross:

Volunteer

Without volunteers there wouldn’t be a Red Cross, volunteers make up ninety percent of the Red Cross workforce. Once you jump on board, you’ll be providing aid to others across the world by joining the millions of volunteers worldwide that make up the global Red Cross network.To get started begin the American Red Cross orientation.

Donate

Donate to the Red Cross. Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to Disaster Relief through your mobile carrier, or shop and dine with any of our partners to help provide care for anyone in need. Aside from financial donations, consider donating blood. Blood donors are always needed, and it’s the the one donation that directly saves lives.

Teach or host a class

If you’re CPR/AED certified, get a group together in your neighborhood and teach these lifesaving skills. If you don’t have certification, you can always host a class for any preparedness skills in your community that are taught by Red Cross professionals.

Wear our gear

Purchases of Red Cross products are not only supporting our lifesaving mission, but are also helping spread the Red Cross impact across the country and around the world. Whether you are rockin’ one of our t-shirts or accessories, you will be indirectly helping anyone who will receive aid from the Red Cross.

Be a digital advocate

Hit the like, follow and share button. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and we have our blog. (We also love hashtags!)