March is Red Cross Month

    During March, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help people in need by supporting the life-saving 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 Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager. “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.”
    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 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.
    Within the past eight months of its fiscal year, the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross has responded to 17 local emergencies involving over 50 men, women and children; assisted 23 military families; and trained nearly 150 people in lifesaving skills, according to Knorr.
    “Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission,” Board Chair, Ann Perier, RN said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our work in Aroostook County.”
    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.
    For more information, please visit redcross.org or join their blog at http://blog.redcross.org. Locally, the Aroostook County Branch is located at 7 Hatch Drive, Suite 250 in Caribou. Knorr can be reached at 493-4620, ext.108 or via e-mail at knorrj@pinetree.redcross.org.