American Red Cross Leaders Tour Church Humanitarian Sites

Four leaders from the American Red Cross (ARC) visited Welfare Square and the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. They came to learn more about the humanitarian service of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to strengthen ties with Church leaders.

“Mission leaders like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are vital to the Red Cross, powering our work through volunteerism, providing the capacity to respond immediately in times of crisis and supporting lifesaving blood services," said Trevor Riggen, president of Humanitarian Services for the American Red Cross. “We are profoundly grateful for the Church’s heartfelt generosity which helps safeguard our ability to care for those in need when the unthinkable happens.”

Riggen was joined by three others from ARC’s Southwest and Rocky Mountain Division: Chad Priest, division vice president; Steven Greimann, division fundraising vice president; and Jennifer Alt, division philanthropy director.

This visit from ARC leadership comes 12 days after the announcement that the Church is donating US$5.1 million to support critical ARC efforts. This includes blood donation programs (which are receiving equipment for new donor centers) and projects supporting sickle cell disease treatment.

The Church is the ARC’s largest sponsor of blood drives. Latter-day Saints have donated over 1.3 million units of blood, saving countless lives. Additionally, funding from the Church has supported eight mobile blood donation centers, numerous community emergency vehicles that deliver lifesaving blood at a moment’s notice, and pieces of medical equipment that keep the shelves stocked.

“Our collaboration with the American Red Cross continues to be a powerful expression of faith in action,” said Blaine R. Maxfield, managing director of Welfare and Self-Reliance Services. “Every act of service — whether it’s a blood donation or disaster response — offers relief, healing, and hope to God's children. Working with the American Red Cross allows us to respond to urgent situations while following the Savior’s example to care for those in need. Together we can more effectively uplift communities.”

The Church and the American Red Cross

The Church of Jesus Christ and the American Red Cross have worked together since the late 19th century. American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and Emmeline B. Wells of the Church’s Relief Society began corresponding about humanitarian aid during the Spanish-American War.

The Church hosted its first ARC blood drive in 1996 and is the largest single contributor to American Red Cross blood drives. Annually, Latter-day Saints donate approximately 97,000 units of blood during thousands of drives. In the past three decades, the American Red Cross has collected more than 1 million units through some 37,000 drives hosted by the Church.

These contributions align with the Church’s global philanthropic efforts, which exceeded $1.45 billion last year, to help those in need.

This year’s $5.1 million donation to the American Red Cross builds on a legacy of giving. Last year, the Church contributed $7.35 million to support American Red Cross blood donation initiatives and other programs. Earlier this year, the Church donated $1.2 million to assist the relief efforts for the Southern California wildfires, providing food, shelter and emotional support. The faith recently aided the American Red Cross in relief efforts for the floods in Kerrville, Texas.