Media Contact: Lisa Miller
Telephone: 907-782-7520
Friday, March 3, 2017 — The American Red Cross is recognizing the country’s everyday heroes during Red Cross Month.
“March is Red Cross Month, the perfect time to honor our Red Cross volunteers, board members and financial contributors who bring hope to people facing life’s emergencies,” said Tanguy Libbrecht, CEO of the American Red Cross of Alaska. “During Red Cross Month, we thank them for their tremendous support.”
March has been recognized as Red Cross Month for more than 70 years. All of our presidents have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world.
The Red Cross depends on local heroes to fulfill its mission. Every eight minutes, Red Cross disaster workers respond to a community disaster, 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 at home and around the world. It trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills. And it supports the vaccination of children around the globe against measles and rubella.
In fiscal year 2016, the Red Cross of Alaska responded to 233 emergencies statewide, installed 1,425 smoke detectors free of charge, and delivered 796 emergency messages to families of Alaskan service men and women.
“It’s easy to become a Red Cross community hero,” said Libbrecht. “Be ready for an emergency by creating a preparedness plan for your home. Test your smoke detectors and tell your neighbors to do the same. You can also sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer or help us ensure Alaskan families recover from disaster by making a financial donation.”
More information about how people can support the organization is available on redcross.org/alaska. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time and money to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.
In Alaska, the Red Cross has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including the following:
March 18- Reverse Sled Dog Race, to benefit the Red Cross: http://reversedogsledrace.com/
March 24- Tesoro Pump Day- Red Cross volunteers will pump gas for a suggested donation at select Tesoro gas stations sate-wide.
All Month Long:
GCI: The Red Cross is the charity of choice for GCI. Visit a GCI store to learn how your purchase can help your Alaska friends and neighbors in need this March.
Midnight Sun Brewing Company and Specialty Imports Alaska: MSBC will donate a dollar to Red Cross for every case of Sockeye Red cans sold at MSBC and SPI. SPI will match the $1 per case donation on Sockeye Red cans sold to Alaska retailers in March. MSBC will also donate $1 per growler of Sockeye Red sold at The Loft at MSBC in March.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @Red Cross.