Each year the president of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month." We use this opportunity to thank our supporters and increase public awareness and consideration of the Red Cross mission.

“I request that during that month [March] our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month in 1943.

This year we recognize the nation’s heroes who in some way help their community by giving of themselves. We also ask the public to be a hero by volunteering, making a financial or blood donation, or taking a Red Cross class in First Aid and CPR.

“This is the perfect time to honor our Red Cross volunteers, blood donors and financial contributors who bring hope to people facing life’s emergencies,” said Lynn Speral, CEO of the Red Cross Dakotas Region. “During Red Cross Month, we thank them for their tremendous support.”

The Red Cross depends on local heroes to fulfill its mission. During fiscal year 2016 in the Dakotas Region, we responded to more than 300 local emergencies, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to more than 1,000 people. We assisted 783 military families, trained 34,305 people in lifesaving skills, and installed more than 3,500 free smoke alarms.

“It’s easy to become a Red Cross community hero,” said Speral. “Be ready for an emergency by creating a preparedness plan for your home. Test your smoke detectors and tell your neighbors to do the same. Or sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer or make a financial donation.”

We dedicate the month of March to all those who support the American Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. 

Share your Red Cross story with us on social media throughout the month of March by using #RedCrossMonth. You can post to our South Dakota Facebook Page, on our North Dakota/NW Minnesota Facebook page, or on Twitter.