There was very little down time for the Red Cross in 2012. The national organization based in Washington DC says the Red Cross responded to 113 large-scale disasters in 42 states and territories. They included tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods and deadly windstorms.

Perhaps the biggest disaster was Superstorm Sandy, which pummeled the Mid-Atlantic coast in late October. "Hurricane Sandy was the biggest US response in 5 years," says Charley Shimanski, Senior Vice President for Red Cross Disaster Services, in a statement. "But it wasn't the only disaster that disrupted lives in 2012."

Last year was also a busy time for Red Cross chapters in Maryland. "We had the Derecho which came through the state earlier this year {2012} which actually caused quite a bit of damage," says Doug Lent, spokesman, American Red Cross for the Chesapeake Region. "And then of course Superstorm Sandy, which did a lot of displacement of homes on the Eastern Shore."

But Lent says many  Red Cross chapters in Maryland responded to local disasters, such as house fires. He says volunteers with the chapter in Frederick County were  sent to 28 house fires last year. He says volunteers assist those who lost their homes to fires with finding  shelter, and making  sure they have food and other supplies.

Superstorm Sandy didn't do as much damage to the Maryland as was feared, but the state's Red Cross was still very much engaged with relief work in New York and New Jersey, which were hit very hard by Sandy. Lent says Maryland was a staging area for operations in other states. "From the state of Maryland, we sent 20 volunteers to other places to help out with Superstorm Sandy, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, other places," Lent says.

But, he says, there were plenty of volunteers and supplies in Maryland if it too is hit with disaster while assisting other states, although both are stretched very thin. "We always need more volunteers. We always need more financial support. But we do have the resources on hand, and we're ready if a disaster strikes here tomorrow," Lent says.

He says if you want to volunteer or make a contribution, contact the local Red Cross chapter. In Frederick County, the phone number is 301-662-5131. Lent says the Red Cross recommends you give cash rather that donations of clothing, food or other articles.