For 18 years, Jim White has been helping others through the American Red Cross.

It’s something he took on after retirement.

“When you are able to give them whatever assistance you can, you can see the stress leave their body and tears often well up in their eyes, give them a hand on the shoulder or a hug. And it's pretty rewarding," White said.

White has been all across the country serving with the Red Cross’ Disaster Action Teams. However, the work doesn’t stop when he’s home, as volunteers are needed everywhere, and when they are deployed to disasters across the nation, for example, sites of the recent tornadoes, it can make things a little more strained back home.

“Our people have been deploying out there. People from all over the country are deploying to those spots. So that takes our people out of our very home areas to be able to respond. So we just need more and more people," said Red Cross Central and Northern New York Executive Director Lisa Smith.

Smith said it’s not only rewarding to join, but is also an opportunity to learn new skills.

“We do service our military families, our veterans. We have preparedness trainings. We respond to fires and other disasters, and then we help people recover. And we also train people in CPR, AED, first aid and of course, aquatics, swimming, lifesaving skills as well," Smith said.

“I have a lot of different jobs within the Red Cross," said White. "My favorite is feeding. I like to be out in the field being able to put a warm meal in somebody's hand.”

In White’s chapter alone, the Red Cross responds to about three disasters a day.

Volunteers are needed, but so are monetary donations. The American Red Cross asks people to donate online or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.