It is a fact that the Army needs volunteers. Not just volunteers to enlist, but volunteers to help maintain the quality of life and services in our communities in these times of dwindling resources and budget cutbacks. And West Point is no different from the rest of the Army. If you are 15 years old or older, the West Point chapter of the American Red Cross needs you to become a Red Cross volunteer.

Last year at West Point, more than 160 Red Cross volunteers performed 1,540 hours of service. Those hours would not have been provided otherwise. Projects would not have gotten done.

Being a volunteer also has great personal advantages. You can learn or maintain skills that can benefit you in future employment. You can develop valuable managerial and leadership skills. Colleges and universities today are looking at volunteer and public service experience when they consider applications for admission.

Red Cross volunteers are active throughout the West Point community. Keller Army Community Hospital uses volunteers in numerous areas, from medical records to the pharmacy to family practice to X-Ray to physical therapy, to name a few. The veterinary clinic uses volunteers, and so does the Cadet Health Clinic, for those who want to be more involved with cadets. Medical training is not a requirement.

Volunteers also help with special community programs like the Hudson Valley Blood Services blood drives conducted three times a year. The blood drives provide teens a great chance to meet their high school community service requirements and to interact with the cadets at the same time. The next blood drive is Aug. 23-26.

Volunteers are needed this fall to help with health screenings of all students at the West Point Elementary and Middle schools, and we can always use health and safety instructors. We conduct classes in CPR, first aid, babysitting and water safety. If you are a certified instructor or are interested in becoming one in a particular area, contact the Red Cross Service Center.

Right now, a desperate need exists for someone to step up to be the chairman of volunteers. This is an executive board position and is critically important to the overall program. It is a chance to be involved in many different activities on post and it is a great opportunity to develop and hone management and leadership skills. Come to the service center and look at the job description.

For more information on Red Cross programs and opportunities, see Agnes Adamczyk at bldg. 622 or call 938-4100 Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Look for notices of activities in the Pointer View and on community information channel 8. There will be a booth with a Red Cross representative at the upcoming Community Fair Wednesday.