The Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a force of dedicated volunteers who stand ready to support the community in the event of a public health emergency. Each of the 22 local MRC units across Virginia are comprised of teams of medical and public health professionals who, along with interested non-medical community members, volunteer their skills, expertise and time to support ongoing public health initiatives and health emergencies throughout Virginia. In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, thousands of Americans volunteered their skills and talents to assist the community. Many more asked, “What can I do to help?” The MRC was established in 2002 as a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. Our Mission Each MRC unit is a local program built on the concept that communities can improve their overall health and preparedness by organizing volunteer resources from within. The purpose of MRC units is to: Recruit health care professionals and volunteers in supporting roles. Create a framework to match volunteers’ skills to address community needs. Train volunteers to respond effectively to local emergencies. Provide reserve capacity to respond to local, state and national public health needs. Volunteering can give the great satisfaction of helping others. For many individuals, volunteering gives them a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. It helps to broaden their social networks, and that can have many positive effects. Volunteering provides opportunities for social interactions with fellow volunteers while supporting an important activity in the community. Interacting with others with a common interest is also a great way to create new relationships.