On Red Cross Giving Day, March 27, Landmarks in Downtown Tampa and Orlando will be Illuminated RED in Recognition

TAMPA, Fla. – March 1, 2024 – The American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands is celebrating Red Cross Month, a tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national proclamation. The month-long observance recognizes generation after generation of compassionate individuals who have come together to deliver our humanitarian mission.

“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to shine a light on our local heroes who respond to disasters, teach lifesaving skills, and support military families during crises,” said Michael D. Brown, Regional CEO. “The humanitarian spirit lives in the heart of these community-based volunteers who share a commitment to ensure their neighbors don’t face crises alone.”

Today, volunteers, donors and supporters are advancing our lifesaving mission while addressing emerging needs. The growing frequency and intensity of disasters driven by the climate crisis underscores the growing need for support. Last year alone, the nation experienced an all-time high of 28 separate billion-dollar disasters as tracked by NOAA, displacing nearly 2.5 million people according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

As we come together to commemorate Red Cross Month, our work has never been more relevant or urgent. We invite Floridians to learn more about our mission at redcross.org and how to help by volunteering, learning lifesaving skills or making a financial donation. Those who donate at redcross.org/GivingDay will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day on March 27, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help people affected by disasters big and small.

In a visual show of support, landmarks and iconic buildings across the U.S. will be illuminated RED on Wednesday, March 27 for Red Cross Giving Day. Within Central Florida, we are pleased to be partnering once again with the cities of Tampa and Orlando, as well as a number of other municipal buildings and private entities, for this annual lighting activity. A detailed list of partners will be shared later this month.

WITH APPRECIATION The generosity of community partners enables the Red Cross to prepare and respond when disasters strike. With tremendous gratitude, we acknowledge our Ready 365 Giving Circle members for their annual support: Circle K, Darden Restaurants, Publix, Raymond James, BayCare, Bloomin’ Brands, The NASCAR Foundation, The Spurlino Family Foundation, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Erik Abrahamson (Abrahamson & Uiterwyk), Hilton Grand Vacations, Lockheed Martin, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Walmart, L3Harris Technologies, Oracle, SouthState Bank, Space Coast Credit Union, Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation, TD SYNNEX, The Joe and Sarah Galloway Foundation, Arbitration Forums, Manatee Community Foundation, New York Yankees Tampa Foundation, Paul B and Constance D Hunter Charitable Foundation, and UMA Education Inc.

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 or follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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