Governor Mike Dunleavy has officially proclaimed March as Red Cross month to honor the dedication and compassion of Red Cross staff and volunteers during disasters.
Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. Locally, Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared March as Red Cross Month in Alaska and encourages all residents to support the Red Cross through volunteering to assist the “noble mission.”
“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Tanguy Libbrecht, CEO. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes. Please consider joining in their commitment by donating, volunteering, or celebrating our Real Heroes Award Ceremony at the end of the month.”
The American Red Cross of Alaska will celebrate Red Cross Month on March 26th at 5:30 p.m. by honoring local community heroes who have gone above and beyond to save lives during the 24th annual Real Heroes Award Ceremony at the Performing Arts Center in Anchorage.
Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. Below are some of the ways that people in Alaska have delivered relief with the Red Cross in times of crisis:
- This past fiscal year, an outstanding corps of 430 Red Cross volunteers responded to a total of 219 disasters, big and small, including major flooding across the Yukon Kuskokwim River Delta and the glacial outburst flooding in Juneau.
- Red Cross of Alaska volunteers helped 379 families impacted by disasters in 77 communities statewide by addressing their urgent needs like food and lodging and providing recovery support.
- When large disasters devastated families in other parts of the country last year,186 Red Crossers from Alaska left their homes to work alongside partners to provide refuge, food, relief items, emotional support, recovery planning, and other assistance.
Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, become a volunteer or take a lifesaving skills course. Those who donate at redcross.org/givingdayon March 27 will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.