Submitted by the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania
The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration in March to honor local community heroes who help ensure that their neighbors never face crises alone.
Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation. Each U.S. president has followed since.
“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, said. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes. Please consider joining in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets or taking a lifesaving skills course.”
Community members can participate in the Red Cross Month celebration by financially donating, giving blood or platelets, becoming a local volunteer or taking a lifesaving skills course.
Wednesday, March 27, is the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.
Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous blood, platelet and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania has over 3,300 volunteers on its team.
In 2023, the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania:
- Responded to more than 1,500 disasters and assisted over 6,400 people
- Installed more than 9,000 free smoke alarms in local homes
- Hosted more than 5,000 local blood drives and collected over 112,000 units of blood
- Provided nearly 7,000 services to support veterans, military members and their families
- Trained more than 124,000 people in Red Cross courses
As the final weeks of winter approach, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood or platelets to help strengthen the blood supply heading into spring.
Much like pets provide comfort and support, so does the Red Cross in local communities. As a thank-you for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all who come to give blood or platelets March 1 through 24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. Five winners will be selected.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission.
