BUFFALO, NY, Friday, March 1, 2019— March is Red Cross Month, and the Western and Central New York Region asks people to be a hero for families in this community by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or donating to #help1family on Red Cross Giving Day, March 27.
“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to recognize our volunteers who provide hope and urgent relief to families in need every day,” said Alan H. Turner II, Western and Central New York Regional CEO. “These heroes are our neighbors who give blood, save lives with skills like first aid and CPR, or provide care and comfort to families devastated by crises like home fires. We honor our volunteers and ask you to join them and make a difference.”
More than 75 years ago, March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission. All U.S. presidents since Roosevelt have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers.
EVERY DAY, VOLUNTEERS HELP
Every eight minutes in the U.S., the Red Cross connects with a family who has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster—the roof over their heads, their clothes, their most cherished possessions. This past year was no exception—and the need continues today.
Last year, Red Cross volunteers helped millions of people reeling from a second consecutive year of record wildfires, hurricanes, tragic shootings and other large disasters across the country. More than 100 volunteer heroes from Western and Central New York responded to deliver urgent relief and care in people’s darkest hours.
This winter, home fires continued to upend lives—when there’s often an increased risk of home heating and cooking fires. Just in 2018, local volunteers assisted more than 1,340 families affected by home fires in Western and Central New York.