In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared March is Red Cross Month to honor those dedicated to the mission of the Red Cross. Furthermore, President Roosevelt’s declaration asked that March be a time when “people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.” Since then, every U.S. president has upheld the tradition that President Roosevelt started by recognizing the everyday people – volunteers and donors – who are the driving force behind the vital work of the American Red Cross.
In honor of Red Cross Month, buildings across Downtown Miami, the Brickell area, PortMiami, and Hollywood lit up in hues of vibrant red in support of the American Red Cross this March. Participating buildings included the Freedom Tower, 50 Biscayne, Brickell World Plaza, Perez Art Museum, Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, FTX Arena, PortMiami, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Hard Rock Stadium and the Guitar Hotel. By lighting up in red, these buildings paid tribute to the Red Cross and showed support for its mission in the community. The Red Cross also rallied local government and was honored when Broward County Mayor Udine proclaimed March is Red Cross Month during a virtual board meeting of the Broward County board members on March 8. Jill Palmer, Executive Director for Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter, was also presented with Red Cross Month proclamations from Naples, Fort Myers, Collier and Lee Counties.
This year, the Red Cross South Florida Region celebrated March is Red Cross Month with a jam-packed calendar of events. Here is a look back at all that was accomplished across the region.
Responding to Home Fires
In March, Disaster Action Team (DAT) members responded to 74 home fires across the region. Home fires account for a majority of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually and DAT members are the skilled volunteers who remain ready year-round to provide comfort and care when disaster strikes. Across the region, DAT team members helped six people in Opa-Locka, ten people in Princeton, 12 people in Tamarac, provided emergency aid to 14 community members affected by a multi-unit fire in Lauderhill and many more. The Red Cross is proud to support our local communities by providing a combination of emergency financial assistance, health and mental health services, and other recovery assistance and support.
Smoke Alarm Installations
Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death from home fires in half. In 2014, the Red Cross launched a Home Fire Campaign with the goal of saving lives by reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25%. In a nationwide effort combined with the support of volunteers and donors, the Red Cross has been in at-risk neighborhoods installing free smoke alarms and educating local communities on home fire safety. On March 26, Red Cross volunteers across the region visited over 70 homes in Hollywood, Vero Beach, and Alva and installed 155 free smoke alarms.
CPR Training
With over 3,500 cardiac arrests occurring outside a hospital each year, it’s especially crucial to learn the skills necessary to save a life in the moments that matter. Ron Nordmann, a long-time Board member of the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter, and his wife, Beverly, generously hosted a hands-on CPR training class for community members in Naples on March 10. Jim Hagen, the Regional Disaster Preparedness Program Manager, led the training for 24 people where guests were able to socialize and learn an important, new skill to help save a life. Nearly 2.5 million people enroll in Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED courses each year. Take a class and train for the moments that matter. Get CPR or First Aid certified today by visiting redcross.org/take-a-class.
Miami and Broward Lifesaving Awards
The Red Cross South Florida also celebrated people who saved a life this month. On March 8, the Red Cross recognized Jimmy McCrady, Sean Meyler and Eva Meyler with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit for using lifesaving skills to save a life. Due to the quick actions of these three individuals, they were able to save Jimmy’s teammate, who had lost consciousness during a high school swim practice. On March 14, the Red Cross also recognized Jorge Galbis and Daniela Castro-Galbis with the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action for using lifesaving skills to save their 14-year-old son’s life after he collapsed at their home in Coral Gables. Lifesaving Awards are given to those who have used learned lifesaving skills to save a life. If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.
Be Red Cross Ready Presentation
With natural disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, it’s essential to take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your families. The Consulate of Mexico invited Red Cross South Florida to host the Be Ready Cross Ready presentation. Ximena Poblete, Disaster Program Manager for the Greater Miami & The Keys Chapter, spoke to 25 Consulate staffers on the importance of being prepared to face disasters. During the presentation, Ximena explained the importance of having an emergency supply kit, how to plan with your household what to do and where you will go in case of an emergency, and how to stay informed with the most up-to-date news about an impending disaster.
Service to the Armed Forces
The Red Cross is dedicated to serving military members, veterans and their families through various supporting programs. Jaime Cruz, Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services Director for the South Florida Region and Robert McConnachie, SAF volunteer, led Volunteer Connection and EDGE training for SAF Hospital Visitation Program volunteers at Lee Health, Cape Coral Hospital on March 28. Volunteers learned how to navigate Red Cross technology, where they could sign up for volunteer events, log volunteer hours and take personal and professional development courses.
Partnership with Lee Health
The need for blood is constant, and in its ongoing partnership with Lee Health Blood Center, the Red Cross helped host a blood drive at the Fort Myers chapter office. Donating blood is a safe process and is needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. Blood donors who attended the event on March 24 received limited-edition socks and a wellness check-up, including blood pressure, temperature, iron count and cholesterol screening.
Red Cross in the Community
The Red Cross of South Florida had the honor of having Noel Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer, attend the University of Miami Herbert Business School 2022 CSO Summit & Symposium. Noel oversees the Red Cross’s commitment to reducing the impact of climate change by integrating a climate‐centric approach to advance our mission, conduct business, invest in resources, and support national and international climate change initiatives.
On March 17, in celebration of Women’s History Month, Debbie Koch, Executive Director for The Greater Miami & The Keys Chapter, was invited by Ginny Peterson Tennant, Ph.D., to speak at Miami Dade College. Debbie presented to students of the Honor Society about Red Cross founder Clara Barton and the other women who have paved the way for the Red Cross, including Mabel Boardman, who succeeded Clara as the leader of the Red Cross in 1904, and Harriet Parsons James, who founded the Red Cross chapter in Miami in 1917.
The work of the Red Cross does not stop after March. Year-round, the South Florida Region continues to support its mission through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Looking ahead, we know we would be unable to carry out our lifesaving mission without the unwavering generosity and support of selfless individuals like our volunteers. To learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/SFLvolunteer.
Written by Stephanie Wesseling & Cynthia Arata, American Red Cross Public Affairs