National Good Samaritan Day is on Saturday, March 13, 2027, and it falls on March 13 every year. It encourages people to help others, especially strangers, without expecting anything back. That can mean anything from jump-starting a car to knowing CPR.
When Is National Good Samaritan Day?
It’s always March 13. It’s an unofficial day of service, not a federal holiday.
Who Started National Good Samaritan Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Where “Good Samaritan” comes from
The phrase comes from a parable Jesus tells in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10. A traveler is beaten and left by the road. Two passersby ignore him, but a man from Samaria stops, treats his wounds and pays for his care at an inn.
What Does Good Samaritan Day Encourage?
Helping a stranger in need, the modern meaning of “Good Samaritan.” The day also highlights skills and laws that make helping easier.
What are Good Samaritan laws?
They’re state laws that give some legal protection to people who help in an emergency. The details vary from state to state.
A newer kind focuses on overdoses. By the end of 2025, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., had at least one, the Network for Public Health Law reports. These laws encourage people to call 911 by limiting charges for minor drug crimes.
How to Celebrate National Good Samaritan Day
- Take a class: sign up for CPR and first aid training with the Red Cross or your local fire department.
- Pack a car kit: keep jumper cables, a flashlight, water and a blanket in your trunk.
- Ask about naloxone: talk to a pharmacist about keeping this overdose-reversal nasal spray in your bag or car.
- Find your nearest AED: note where the defibrillators are at your office, gym and school.
- Help a neighbor: offer to drive an older neighbor to an appointment or pick up groceries.
- Give blood: book a donation at a local blood drive.
- Return a lost item: if you find a wallet, turn it in or contact the owner.
Learn Hands-Only CPR
One of the most useful things a bystander can do is start CPR. The American Red Cross outlines hands-only CPR for adults:
- Have someone call 911 and get an AED.
- Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest, with your other hand on top.
- Push hard and fast, at least 2 inches deep, 100 to 120 times a minute.
- Let the chest rise fully between pushes, and use the AED as soon as it arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to help in an emergency?
Laws differ by state. At a minimum, calling 911 is a safe, simple way to help without putting yourself at risk.
Do overdose Good Samaritan laws cover every crime?
No. Most cover only possession-type offenses, the Network for Public Health Law notes. They’re meant to remove fear of calling 911.
Who were the Samaritans?
People from Samaria, a region north of Jerusalem. In the parable, the helper’s background is the twist, since Samaritans and Jews of the time were at odds.