Red Cross Month

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF THE DELMARVA PENINSULA
CELEBRATES RED CROSS MONTH
Volunteers, Donors, Emergency Services, Government And Community Partners
Are Thanked For Their Valuable Contributions

WILMINGTON, DE – March 3, 2006 – The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula is celebrating Red Cross Month this March by giving thanks to the thousands of people in this community who have personified America’s humanitarian spirit by donating their time, talents and money during the last year.

“Although hurricanes and tsunamis make the headlines, many people forget that the day-to-day work of the Red Cross takes place in communities like ours, is made possible by ‘hometown heroes’ who volunteer their time, and is funded by voluntary contributions from local citizens and businesses,” says John Danzeisen, Board Chair of the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula.

He continued, “America has always been a place where people look out for each other. We really want to thank everyone who chose the Red Cross as their way to help out in our community.”

Volunteers
More than 2,000 residents of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore counties volunteer countless hours every year to help local families when disaster strikes; teach their neighbors lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR and water safety; help local military families communicate during emergencies; and much more. Hundreds of volunteers must be thanked for making the time to take hours of special training to keep our communities safer.

Donors, Sponsors and Funders
Donors, sponsors and funders are equally appreciated by the American Red Cross, since the American Red Cross is mandated by U.S. Congress to deliver two critical services – disaster relief and emergency services for the military – but is not funded by Congress to do so. Without the support of the American people and funding agencies such as the United Way, United Fund, other businesses and groups, the American Red Cross could not provide lifesaving services 24 hours a day in communities across the Delmarva Peninsula.

Fire, Police and Emergency Management
The Red Cross works in partnership with emergency management agencies including Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), County and City Emergency agencies – not forgetting the important role played by fire and police personnel – to ensure that disaster victims are quickly helped after the first responders do their work. Red Cross Month gives staff and volunteers alike the opportunity to personally thank all emergency personnel for their commitment to saving lives.

Government
Leaders at every level of government contribute to the Red Cross’ ability to provide life-saving relief to local communities. The Red Cross values and thanks all executive and legislative leaders with whom it partners for their contribution to disaster preparedness on the Delmarva Peninsula, and for making their constituents aware of emergency services that Red Cross provides to all residents, free of charge and without discrimination.

Community Partners
Many other community partners assist the Red Cross fulfill its mission of providing disaster relief and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross is grateful for their contributions, whether it is providing a location for a water safety class to be held, releasing nurses from duty to staff a disaster shelter, contributing volunteers or money or taking care of the long-term needs of disaster victims.

Home Fire Safety
During March, the Red Cross is placing national emphasis on home fire safety. A recent poll by the American Red Cross found that 4 out of 5 Americans do not know that home fires are the most common disaster in the United States. What’s more, half of the families polled are using high-risk methods to heat their homes this winter. These results are troubling considering the devastation a home fire can cause and the financial and emotional turmoil a family endures as they see their hopes and memories go up in flames. Not to mention there is the unthinkable possibility of losing a loved one. The National Fire Protection Association reports that children are twice as likely as adults to die in a home fire.

According to the Red Cross: More resources are spent responding to home fires than natural disasters. For answers to questions about how local families can prevent fires, make their homes safer and what they should do in the event of a home fire, visit www.redcrossdelmarva.org.

20% Discount on First Aid Kits and Emergency Kits
To encourage families to get started on disaster preparedness plans in their homes, the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula is offering a special 20% discount on all first aid kits and emergency kits during the month of March. Call 1-800-777-6620 to purchase your kits.

History of Red Cross Month
March was first declared to be Red Cross Month by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943—a tradition that has been continued every year, by every President since.

In this year’s Presidential proclamation, President George W. Bush declared: “I commend the good work of the American Red Cross, and I encourage all Americans to continue to help the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region and around the world through volunteering their time, energy, and talents for others.”