Downtown Tampa illuminated for Red Cross Month, 2019
TAMPA, Fla. – February 26, 2021 – Every March, the American Red Cross honors and celebrates the everyday heroes who help fulfill our humanitarian mission during Red Cross Month. This year in particular -- nearly one year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic -- is a time to recognize the humanitarian spirit that inspires compassionate people to step up to help when help can’t wait.
“In times of crisis, the Red Cross is fortunate to witness the best of humanity – people stepping forward to offer donations of time, energy, money and even blood,” said Eric Corliss, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We celebrate the humanitarian spirit of generosity and kindness during Red Cross Month and encourage others to join us during this time when it is particularly needed.”
RED CROSS MONTH HISTORY For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize Americans participating in its lifesaving mission -- powered by a workforce that is more than 90% volunteers. The month-long recognition caps off with the seventh annual Red Cross Giving Day on Wednesday, March 24, an opportunity for local communities to come together on one day to help thousands of families nationwide who have been impacted by home fires or other local disasters.
On Giving Day, landmarks and iconic buildings across the U.S. will be illuminated RED in recognition of the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. Within our region, we are pleased to recognize the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Virage Bayshore and the City of Orlando that have committed to participation in this lighting activity to date.
WAYS TO GIVE BACK There are a number of ways Americans can help during Red Cross Month: join with thousands of compassionate people to make a financial donation on Red Cross Giving Day, become a volunteer, give blood, or take a class to learn lifesaving skills.
DONATE Every eight minutes in the U.S., someone affected by a disaster is helped by the Red Cross. Support our disaster relief efforts to ensure families don’t face them alone. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance. To donate, visit redcross.org/GivingDay.
VOLUNTEER When help can’t wait, volunteers provide families with the support they need during local emergencies like home fires or tornadoes. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to see our most-needed positions, including virtual opportunities.
Red Cross volunteers stand by thousands of families every year, providing resources and emotional support to help people recover after disasters. One of those is Florida resident Scott Leavitt whose home was devastated by an EF-1 tornado last December. “That help really made a difference. I never knew, over the years when I donated to Red Cross, I would ever be the one who needed help.”
GIVE BLOOD Extreme winter weather across much of the country forced the cancellation of Red Cross blood drives in more than 30 states, impacting more than 20,000 blood, platelet and convalescent plasma donations in February.
Although the Red Cross does not collect blood locally, we understand the critical need to ensure lifesaving blood is available for any patient who needs it, any time. With that knowledge, we’ve invited our community partners at OneBlood to bring a Big Red Bus to two regional Red Cross campuses in honor of Red Cross Month: Monday, March 8 at 818 4th St. N. in St. Petersburg and Tuesday, March 23 at 8245 Devereaux Dr. in Melbourne.
LEARN LIFESAVING SKILLS Sign up to take a CPR and first aid class, so you can be prepared for an emergency, at redcross.org/TakeAClass. Online options include our Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 course, which covers how to manage stress and support yourself and others.
The American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands serves 19 Florida counties through five chapters: Florida’s Space Coast (Daytona Beach), Greater Orlando, Mid-Florida (Winter Haven), Southwest Florida (Sarasota) and Tampa Bay; and the Virgin Islands territories of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island. For more information, visit redcross.org. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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 @RedCross.
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