ANCHORAGE, AK – March 1, 2019—March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross of Alaska asks people to be a hero for families across the great state of Alaska by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills or donating to #help1family on Red Cross Giving Day, March 27.

"During Red Cross Month, we are proud to recognize our volunteers who provide hope and urgent relief to families in need every day," said Tanguy Libbrecht, Red Cross of Alaska CEO. "These heroes are our neighbors who save lives with skills like first aid and CPR or provide care and comfort to families devastated by crises like home fires. We honor our volunteers and ask you to join them and make a difference."

More than 75 years ago, March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission. All U.S. presidents since Roosevelt have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers.

Bridget Thomson, Jesuit Corps Volunteer and Red Cross of Alaska Volunteer Casework and Preparedness Specialist, joined the Red Cross team in Juneau this past August. Thomson facilitates smoke alarm installations in communities in the Southeast, teaches children about disaster preparedness through The Pillowcase Project and works with families who’ve been affected by a disaster to provide resources and support through recovery casework.

"No one is fully protected from the possibility of facing a disaster, and the Red Cross is there to help every individual that is affected by one, no questions asked," Thomson said. "I wanted to be a part of an organization that is there to support people when they need it most. Volunteering with the Red Cross has provided me with the opportunity to serve a wide variety of individuals and to feel more connected to my community."

EVERY DAY, VOLUNTEERS HELP Every eight minutes in the U.S., the Red Cross connects with a family who has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster—the roof over their heads, their clothes, their most cherished possessions. This past year was no exception—and the need continues today.

Last year, Red Cross volunteers helped millions of people reeling from a second consecutive year of record wildfires, hurricanes, tragic shootings and other large disasters across the country. This includes Alaskan volunteer heroes who responded to deliver urgent relief and care in people’s darkest hours. In fact, following 308 disaster here in Alaska, more than 750 volunteer heroes worked around the clock to deliver urgent relief and care in people’s darkest hours.

This winter, home fires continued to upend lives—when there’s often an increased risk of home heating and cooking fires. In the month of February alone, volunteers across Alaska assisted families affected by home fires in Anchorage, Big Lake, Chugiak, Fairbanks, Houston, Nikiski, Soldotna, Sutton and Wasilla, among others.

HOW YOU CAN #HELP1FAMILY Learn more about how you can help by visiting the Red Cross of Alaska website:

• Become a volunteer: Help families affected by disasters, install lifesaving smoke alarms to keep neighbors safe from home fires or help us ensure our fleet of emergency response vehicles are properly cared for. In some areas, you can also provide emergency assistance for military members and veterans, or help reconnect families separated by international conflict.

• Learn lifesaving skills: Register for a class to learn first aid, CPR and other skills.

• Make a financial donation: On March 27—American Red Cross Giving Day—donate at redcross.org/HYPERLINK "http://givingday.redcross.org/"givingday, uniting with thousands of people like you to help families during the first devastating hours of a disaster. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief, like food, shelter and other essentials, for families who need it most.

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:

In FY18, the American Red Cross of Alaska offered food, shelter, comfort and hope to 892 Alaskans. We responded to 308 disasters.　Our preparedness/Health and Safety teams installed 2,309 smoke alarms statewide and educated 1,722 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Additionally, our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,161 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel 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/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.

###