During Red Cross Month, Help People In Need By Supporting The American Red Cross

During March, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help people in need by supporting the lifesaving services it provides.

“Please remember those who need our help and support the Red Cross by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, taking a class, or giving blood,” said Steve Hansen, the Northeast WI Chapter Executive “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us help people here at home, across the United States and around the world.”

Across the United States, March is Red Cross Month and was first proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since that time, 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 collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills every year. It responds to nearly 70,000 disasters in the U.S. annually, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. The Red Cross 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.

Here throughout Northeast Wisconsin and the Michigan border communities, we average a residential fire every other day. Our trained disaster teams are there to meet with the individuals and families affected around the clock. Through additional fire prevention projects and increased awareness, one goal this year is to reduce the number of fires and lost lives. Simple steps can have a profound and life-saving affect. They are: 1. Get informed about potential emergencies 2. Make a plan for if (when) an emergency hits your home and/or community. 3. Assemble an emergency kit.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission through family planning and giving of time, talent or treasures.” Hansen said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our work, both here at home and across the globe.” 

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 the people the Red Cross services 

• To volunteer contact: Jody Weyers, Volunteer Director at  920-227-4287.
• To find/register for life-saving training (First Aid, CPR, babysitting, etc)go to: redcross.org/training.
• To donate blood: Call 800-RED-CROSS or go online at redcrossblood.org to find the nearest blood drive near you.

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter serves 20 counties with a mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. To learn more about local Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the Chapter headquarters at 920-231-3590 or visit www.NEWRedCross.org. Find us on facebook.com/newredcross, twitter.com/newredcross, the local blog is newredcrossblog.org and Chapter photos are at flickr.com/photos/newredcross.

 About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.