by Raigir Nikhitha, American Red Cross Volunteer

Every March since 1943, Americans have honored the American Red Cross. President Franklin  Delano Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation during World War II, urging citizens  to support the organization's efforts for soldiers and their families. Every president since has  continued this tradition, recognizing volunteers and donors who turn compassion into action.

But in Arizona and New Mexico, this story reaches back even further.

Seeds of Service

The Red Cross story in our region began in 1898, when Dr. H.V. Clymer organized Arizona's first  auxiliary in Phoenix during the Spanish-American War. Women gathered to prepare medical supplies  and comfort kits for soldiers, transforming a building basement into a workshop for hope.

In New Mexico, the spirit took root in December 1900, when Governor Miguel A. Otero encouraged  territorial leaders to support Red Cross humanitarian efforts. By February 1916, New Mexico had  established chapters in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Arizona followed on June 29, 1916, when  Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma received official charters.

What began as a handful of volunteers has grown into something remarkable.

Forged in Crisis

From the beginning, our region tested the Red Cross. The 1911 San Juan County floods swept away  homes and bridges in New Mexico. Red Cross workers delivered food, clothing and shelter to families  cut off by washed-out rail lines.

In 1913, a coal mine explosion in Dawson, New Mexico, killed 263 miners in one of the worst  industrial disasters in U.S. history. The Red Cross coordinated relief funds and medical aid, making  sure no widow or orphan faced their grief alone.

The 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic brought new urgency. Emergency hospitals opened across both  states, staffed by volunteer nurses who delivered care to the sick and food to quarantined homes,  often at great personal risk.

Through the Great Depression and World War II, the Red Cross evolved from scattered wartime  auxiliaries into the network we know today.

Still Answering the Call

That spirit lives on across 235,580 square miles, the largest geographical region in the continental  United States. Every 15 hours, Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster, serving more than 9.5  million people.

In 2025, local volunteers became a lifeline for families across both states. When the Ruidoso wildfires  tore through New Mexico, volunteers opened shelters, served thousands of meals and helped  families navigate those first overwhelming days. From the Grand Canyon Dragon Bravo fire to flash  floods to home fires in the middle of the night, volunteers provided shelter, comfort and hope.

The Red Cross distributed more than $1.4 million in financial assistance to households rebuilding  after disasters. This year, our region received a Presidential Award of Excellence for pioneering work  in extreme heat preparedness.

The Heart of the Mission

“As we reflect on more than a century of service in Arizona and New Mexico, I am filled with deep  gratitude for the generations of volunteers, partners, and leaders who have built and sustained out  mission,” said Edgar R. Olivo, CEO of the Arizona New Mexico region. “Since our earliest days, when  neighbors came together to aid soldiers, heal the wounded, and respond to disaster, the American  Red Cross has been rooted in the unique strengths and needs of every community we serve.”

Behind every response are real people. Disaster action teams deploy at 2 a.m. Blood donor  ambassadors greet nervous first-time donors. Health services volunteers bring decades of medical  expertise to emergency shelters.

More than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce is volunteers. They're teachers and accountants,  retirees and college students, nurses and construction workers, united by one simple commitment: to  help neighbors in crisis.

Join Us This March

Give Blood. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. One donation can save up to  three lives. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule your appointment.

Volunteer. From disaster response to blood drives to supporting military families, your time  transforms lives. No special skills required. Explore opportunities at redcross.org/local/az nm/volunteer.

Donate. Your gift makes sure the Red Cross can respond immediately when disaster strikes. Every  dollar matters. Give at redcross.org.

Learn Lifesaving Skills. Take a first aid or CPR class. When seconds count, being trained saves  lives. Find classes at redcross.org/takeaclass.

From Dr. Clymer's volunteers in 1898 to today's disaster responders, the Red Cross story in Arizona  and New Mexico has always been powered by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

This March, be part of that story.

Together, we save lives.

For more information, visit redcross.org/local/az-nm or call 1-800-RED CROSS.