Red Cross is responding to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world

With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month, the Central Iowa Chapter today recognized and thanked the supporters and volunteers whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

“The Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most–and we are grateful for the public support that enables us to continue our work – here at home and abroad,” said Jodie Warth, chief development officer. “Our community and our nation depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of people in American to achieve its mission.”

“During Red Cross Month, we want to recognize the valuable supporters whose generosity makes the work of the American Red Cross possible,” Warth added. “In addition, Red Cross Month is a great time for people to get involved with the Red Cross, such as signing up for a CPR, first aid or other Red Cross course; giving a financial gift that can really save the day when the next disaster strikes, or getting involved as a volunteer.”

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, comfort and hope to survivors of nearly 70,000 disasters each year; helps prepare communities for emergencies; is the largest single provider of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills to more than 5 million people a year; supports military members and their families, and provides international humanitarian aid.

The American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year through its network of 34,000 employees and more than 600,000 volunteers in more than 2,000 locations across the United States and more than 30 countries around the world.

“The Red Cross has responded following the Haiti earthquake in January, working to turn despair into hope,” Warth said. “The Red Cross is there in Haiti now – and we are also here each day across the country for families who need us.”

Although major disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires capture national media headlines, the day-to-day work of the Red Cross often takes place in local communities. In the past year, the Central Iowa Chapter responded to 167 incidents and provided relief to 202 families after their homes were damaged or destroyed. 16,725 people took health and safety training through the Central Iowa Chapter which include CPR, first aid, and automated external defibrillators.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.”  Every president since that time has recognized the work of the Red Cross with a Red Cross Month.

The Central Iowa Chapter has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month in March, including our signature fundraising event, Heroes of the Heartland; CPR for Singles; and the launch of our Heroes for the Red Cross campaign.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to survivors  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.