During Red Cross Month, Honor The Everyday Heroes Who Help Our Communities

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross recognizes the nation’s Everyday Heroes who give of themselves and in some way help their community.

“Please remember those who help all of us here in Florida by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Linda Carbone, CEO of Florida’s West Coast Region. “We want to thank our heroes during Red Cross Month – our volunteers, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.”

March was first proclaimed as Red Cross Month 70 years ago by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since 1943, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

Here in the Florida’s West Coast Region (Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Henry and Charlotte counties), the Red Cross has responded to 249 local emergencies serving over 1,800 people, assisted 788 military families and trained 7,558 people in lifesaving skills.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross and there are many different ways to do it,” Carbone said. “They can develop a preparedness plan for their household, become a Red Cross volunteer, or take a Red Cross class, just to name a few.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping people in need.

Florida’s West Coast Region of the American Red Cross has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including volunteer recognition luncheons (March 7 in Tampa and March 26 in Sarasota) and a Red Cross interactive showcase at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa on March 9.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.