On March 27, landmarks in downtown Tampa and Orlando will light up red as a symbol of help and hope delivered by Red Cross volunteers in our communities

CENTRAL FLORIDA – MARCH 26, 2019 – The American Red Cross of Central Florida is closing out Red Cross Month with Giving Day, Wednesday, March 27, a 24-hour fundraising campaign to help 25,000 families affected by home fires or other disasters nationwide. On this special day, buildings, bridges, fountains and iconic places in downtown Tampa and Orlando will be illuminated red in recognition of the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross.

Every eight minutes in the U.S., someone affected by a disaster is helped by the Red Cross. In 2018, volunteers helped millions of people reeling from a second consecutive year of record wildfires, hurricanes, tragic shootings and other large disasters across the country. We also respond to every day disasters like home fires, help and support members of the military, and teach life-saving skills like CPR and first aid. Visit redcross.org/givingday to #help1family and provide urgent relief, like food, shelter and other essentials, for families who need it most:

• Support a family in urgent need for one day: A gift of $88.50 can provide a family of three with a day’s worth of food, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus blankets and other essentials in the aftermath of a disaster.
• Supply warm meals: A donation of $60 can help provide six people with a nourishing meal that includes a main course, snacks and a drink to those impacted by disasters.
• Deliver cozy blankets: A gift of $30 can help children and families feel comforted with six warm blankets.

The Red Cross is grateful for generous support to help people in need on Giving Day and throughout the year. During March, we honor the volunteer heroes who fuel our lifesaving work every day -- a tradition dating back more than 75 years, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to raise awareness for our humanitarian mission.

You can be a hero for families in need too by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills like first aid or CPR, or making a financial donation. Please visit redcross.org to learn more or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10.

The Central Florida Region of the American Red Cross serves 19 counties through five chapters: Florida’s Space Coast (Daytona Beach), Greater Orlando, Mid-Florida (Winter Haven), Southwest Florida (Sarasota) and Tampa Bay. For more information, visit redcross.org/centralflorida. 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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