The Red Cross Minnesota Region responds to home fires, flooding, severe storms, and tornadoes across the state and collects blood at donor centers and mobile drives statewide. Its donor base supplies hospitals that include the large academic medical centers at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. Below: how to give blood or money, what volunteering involves, and where to turn after a disaster.
Winter shapes this region's disaster work in ways warmer states never see. Ice storms knock out power for days, and heating equipment causes house fires all season long, so response teams stay busy from November through March, then pivot to spring flooding and summer storms.
Whatever the cause, the response looks the same: emergency shelter, food, and recovery casework for displaced households. Anyone in Minnesota displaced by a fire or severe weather can call 1-800-RED-CROSS for immediate assistance.
The state's donor base is a critical regional source of blood. Large academic medical centers at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic draw patients from across the Upper Midwest, and their complex caseloads depend on a consistent supply.
Appointments are bookable within days at most Minnesota chapters. Reserve a slot at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Disaster response volunteers complete several weeks of training before deploying to shelters and casework. The region also runs CPR, first aid, and water safety courses across Minnesota — water safety being a natural fit for a state with over ten thousand lakes.
Money remains the most flexible gift: donations at redcross.org pay for shelter operations, relief supplies, and casework wherever the next ice storm or flood hits.
Before you give, confirm 501(c)(3) status in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov and check Charity Navigator. Keep acknowledgment letters for gifts of $250 and above.
Sources: American Red Cross — Minnesota Region official site (redcross.org); our Minnesota charity guide research. Retrieved July 2026. We are not affiliated with American Red Cross — Minnesota Region and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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