The American Red Cross North Carolina Region is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration in March to honor local community heroes who help ensure our 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 — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. Locally, several North Carolina cities and counties will officially proclaim ‘March is Red Cross Month’.
“We are always proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies, and Red Cross Month is a special time to recognize their service,” said Allison Taylor, Regional CEO, North Carolina Region. “These local heroes, including our wonderful volunteers, are the ones who make our mission possible. Please consider becoming a volunteer yourself and supporting our community. You can also support the mission by giving blood or platelets, donating, or signing up for one of our lifesaving training courses.”
Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer, or take a lifesaving skills course. Those who donate at redcross.org/givingday on March 27th will be part of 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.
As we approach the final weeks of winter, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood now as we continue to 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 come to give blood or platelets March 1-24 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. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details. You can donate blood at the following location in Spruce Pine in March:
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
1:30 PM – 6:00 PM
First Baptist Church – Spruce Pine, Fellowship Hall
125 Tappan St, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
HELP CAN’T WAIT WHEN EMERGENCIES STRIKE 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.
In the 2023 fiscal year, the American Red Cross North Carolina Region joined local government, first responders, and community members and groups to help make a significant humanitarian impact in our communities.
▪ Almost 6,000 volunteers dedicated over 437,000 hours of service to the mission
▪ Disaster volunteers responded to about 3,000 disasters
▪ Volunteers provided relief and aid to nearly 10,000 people
▪ 20,000 emergency services were provided to military members, veterans, and their families
▪ Over 134,000 people were trained in lifesaving skills such in First Aid/CPR/AED, swimming, and preparedness
About the American Red Cross:
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. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
# # #
