ANTELOPE VALLEY – 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 Antelope Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is appealing to the community to help people in need by supporting the lifesaving services the Red Cross 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 Jeff Baumgartner, Executive Director, Antelope Valley Chapter. “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us to help people here at home, across the United States, and around the world.”
The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, 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 Antelope Valley, the Red Cross responded to 34 local emergencies, assisted 202 military families and trained 10,309 people in lifesaving skills. And, people from this area donated more than 8,000 units of blood.
“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission,” Baumgartner 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.
The Antelope Valley Chapter has a number of activities planned in upcoming months, including a volunteer orientation on Thursday, March 22, various CPR and First Aid classes, free emergency preparedness presentations and a Prepare AV fundraiser luncheon on April 19th.
Contact 661- 267-0650 or redcrossla.org/antelopevalley to learn more.
