Previous Story
Help people in need by supporting Red Cross
|
Posted on Mar 08 2012
This month, 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 or taking a class” said John Hirsh, executive director of the NMI Chapter. “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us to help our people here in the Commonwealth, across the United States, and around the world.”
March is Red Cross Month, 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 responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year, 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 more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.
Here in the Commonwealth, the NMI Chapter responded to more than a dozen local emergencies in recent months, assisted nearly 100 military families, and trained thousands of people in lifesaving skills.
“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission,” Hirsh said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our humanitarian 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.
The NMI Chapter has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including a super CPR Saturday, disaster preparedness training, and the 26th annual Walkathon. For more information about the NMI Chapter and how you can get involved, call the office at 234-3459. (ARC)
