Help Others During Red Cross Month

Monday, February 27, 2012 at 6:29 AM

Press release from the American Red Cross Southeastern Indiana Chapter

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - During March, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help people in need by supporting the lifesaving 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 John Ryle, Executive Director, Southeastern Indiana 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 Southeastern Indiana Chapter is a new chapter, consisting of Ripley, Switzerland, Ohio and Dearborn Counties. With offices in Versailles, and Lawrenceburg, the American Red Cross is maintaining a local presence of volunteers that are your friends and neighbors. Classes for First Aid, CPR, AED, Lifesaving, etc are also offered locally.

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.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission.” Ryle 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 serves.