Patients & Visitors

The Walter Reed Red Cross Office currently has more than 550 volunteers contributing more than 5,000 hours monthly supporting a variety of activities specifically for patients, family members and health care providers. Our volunteers range from civilian to active duty, from administrative up to PhD who practice to the full extent of their credentials and support activities across the Installation to include greeting every wounded, ill and injured service member who arrives via MEDEVAC and volunteering in more than 75 Clinics throughout the hospital. During the summer we add more than 50 youth volunteers serving throughout Walter Reed Bethesda.

In FY14, volunteers provided 61,318 hours of service at Walter Reed, equating to more than $1.5 million in volunteer value added. Volunteer at Walter Reed
You can help! Serve your country through a gift of yourself – become a Red Cross Volunteer at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. We serve all inpatients, their families, staff, and visiting outpatients.

To begin the volunteer process, visit www.redcross.org/dc/washington, click "Volunteer with Us," and then "Adult Volunteers at Military Hospitals & Installations." Please note that a background check and medical clearance are required. Due to these requirements, all volunteers must be a US Citizen. At any time, you can also call the office at 301-295-1538 during office hours for assistance.

If you have a referral to volunteer from within the hospital, please let us know! Parking
Parking at WR-B is unavailable at this time, please be prepared to use public transportation. Donations
The Red Cross at Walter Reed-Bethesda is always accepting donations. Donations can be mailed to the office or arranged for drop-off at the hospital where volunteers can meet you to unload the vehicle. For a general list of items to donate, please click here. Chapter Locator
If you reside in other areas, and would like to volunteer, please contact your local Red Cross Chapter for assistance. The American Red Cross network spans over 600 chapters and 58 military installations worldwide. Please visit the American Red Cross on the web for more information on chapter locations and services. Health and Safety Courses
Sign up for a Health and Safety course by going to the American Red Cross training website. Enter in your zip code to find classes near you. Blood Services
At Walter Reed-Bethesda blood donations are made through the Armed Services Blood Program. To schedule an appointment, call (301) 295-2106. If you are interested in giving blood or hosting a blood drive outside of Walter Reed-Bethesda, please visit the American Red Cross Blood Services website. Emergency Communication Services
Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross relays urgent messages containing accurate, factual, complete and verified descriptions of the emergency to service members stationed anywhere in the world, including on ships at sea and at embassies and remote locations. Red Cross-verified information assists the member and his/her commanding officers with making a decision regarding emergency leave. To contact Emergency Communications Services, call 1-877-272-7337 (toll free). Holiday Mail for Heroes
As the Holiday Mail for Heroes Program transitions from a national program to a local one, the National Capital Region Red Cross is encouraging those interested to join us in a new initiative. Join us in helping to provide service members, veterans and their families cards to send home to their loved ones this holiday season! Deadline for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa cards is Friday, November 21, 2014.

Items to include in each bundle:

• 3 blank holiday cards (same holiday per bundle and no glitter)
• 3 blank envelopes with postage stamps
• 1 short message to the service member (do not include contact information, only first name)
• Bundled with a ribbon

Please drop off or mail completed bundles to:
American Red Cross in the National Capital Region
ATTN: Holiday Mail for Heroes
8550 Arlington Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031 Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is a non-profit charitable organization designed to provide financial, educational and other assistance to members of the Navy and Marine Corps. The 12 relief society volunteers help Navy and Marine families cope with financial pressures. Bethesda’s branch has given more than $375,000 to over 500 families for car repairs, emergency travel and food. NMCRS provides assistance and offers a variety of programs including: budget counseling; layettes for newborns; emergency car repair; financial assistance to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps service members and their families.

Emergency appointments allowed anytime during normal working hours. Call (301) 295-1207 to make an appointment. After working hours contact, the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337.