NATCHEZ — While many sit in their homes cozy and warm, the Red Cross will be out and about, looking to bring that warmth to the less fortunate during the holiday season.

This year, the Red Cross is stressing warmth and specifically looking to help those in need with things such as blankets.

“If people want to help those in need, you can think about things like giving warmth this holiday season,” Red Cross regional communications director Marilynn Grossman said. “A donation of $25 will help us buy five blankets.”

Grossman also stressed the need for volunteers at the Red Cross, with holiday times being one of the busiest of the year.

“We need volunteers because this is a volunteer run organization,” she said. “We have a few staff, but we have a lot more volunteers that do work. We need them in every county.”

She also said the Red Cross disaster team is always on their toes during this time of the year.

“Usually in the winter time, we have more home fires,” Grossman said. “People are trying to keep warm and aren’t necessarily always safe. We always have our disaster action team on alert and on call. Fires break out all the time, and we meet with the families and take care of them.”

Grossman said that volunteers will be active members in carrying out the Red Cross mission.

“Our mission is we try to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies, by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors,” she said.

The Red Cross will also be taking part in a mission that impacts Natchez residents, Wreaths Across America.

“One thing we are supporting is Wreaths Across America,” Grossman said. “They are going to do the laying at the Natchez cemetery.”

Although the need for volunteers and donations is great, Grossman said the Red Cross is always happy to receive monetary donations as well.

Anyone interested in donating or taking part in Red Cross activities is encouraged to visit redcross.org/mississippi, visit the Red Cross offices at 211 North Union St. in Natchez or call 601-442-3656.

“We are very appreciative of our donors and our communities that support the Red Cross and enable us to go out and serve those in the community,” Grossman said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”