With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month, the Frederick County Chapter today recognized and thanked the supporters and volunteers whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

“The Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most–and we are grateful for the public support that enables us to continue our work – here at home and abroad,” said Judy Peterson, Supervisor of Chapter Operations. “Our community and our nation depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of people in America to achieve its mission.”

“During Red Cross Month, we want to recognize the valuable supporters whose generosity makes the work of the American Red Cross possible,” Keith Roberson, Board Chair added. “In addition, Red Cross Month is a great time for people to get involved with the Red Cross, such as donating blood; signing up for a CPR, first aid or another Red Cross course; giving a financial gift that can really save the day when the next disaster strikes, or getting involved as a volunteer.”

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, comfort and hope to survivors of nearly 70,000 disasters each year; helps prepare communities for emergencies; is the largest single provider of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills to more than 5 million people a year; supports military members and their families, and provides international humanitarian aid.

The American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year through its network of 34,000 employees and more than 600,000 volunteers in more than 2,000 locations across the United States and more than 30 countries around the world.

“The Red Cross has responded following the Haiti earthquake in January, working to turn despair into hope,” Peterson said. “The Red Cross is there in Haiti now – and we are also here each day in Frederick County for families who need us.”

Although major disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires capture national media headlines, the day-to-day work of the Red Cross often takes place in local communities. In the past year, the Frederick County Chapter responded to local emergencies, assisted over 100 military families and trained over 6,000 people in lifesaving skills.  And, people from this area donated 13,356 units of blood.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.”  Every president since that time has recognized the work of the Red Cross with a Red Cross Month.

As part of Red Cross Month in March the Clustered Spires Quilt Guild will present an art quilt wall hanging to the Frederick County Chapter. This artistic rendering of the Red Cross building in Walkersville was created by members of the guild. Frederick County representatives will accept this hanging on Thursday, March 4^th at the Delaplaine Center in Frederick to open Red Cross month.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to survivors  of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.frederickredcross.org.

For additional information contact: Judy Peterson, Supervisor Chapter Operations, at 301-662-5131 or 301-639-4373 (cell) or jpeterson@frederickredcross.org