Albany, NY – During the March 17, 2025, session of the New York State Senate, Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera introduced a resolution to proclaim March as Red Cross Month and to recognize three volunteers for their dedicated service.

Every March, the Red Cross honors people who make the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross possible — the individuals across the country who turn compassion into action, helping others in times of crisis. The Red Cross Month celebration has been an annual tradition since 1943, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

From the Greater New York Region, the New York State Senate recognized Ashley Flowers of White Plains, NY.

Ashely Flowers volunteers with the Red Cross as a blood donor ambassador. In this role, she attends local blood drives in Westchester and the Bronx to help ensure blood donors have a positive experience donating blood. Ashley shared that she became a blood donor ambassador because she has sickle cell disease. Because of that, she is not able to donate blood. But she wanted to figure out a way to give back and help with something that has changed her life. 

Two of Ashley's children have inherited sickle cell disease, adding another layer of challenge. She has turned this into an opportunity to educate others as well, and her son’s cub scout den is sponsoring blood drives across Westchester this year, too. Ashley truly stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the life-changing power of blood donation. She reminds us that by giving blood, we have the power to add value to lives in ways we may never fully comprehend.

From the Eastern New York Region, the New York State Senate recognized Margie Davis of Cohoes, NY.

Margie is a retired New York Air National Guard nurse with a distinguished 20-year military career, retiring at the rank of major. During her time in uniform, she provided critical medical support, including service during the Persian Gulf War. Her dedication to the well-being of service members extended far beyond her military career.

For the past eight years, Margie has continued to volunteer her time and expertise with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program. She began as an SAF caseworker, providing follow-up support to military members and their families after a family emergency or crisis. She later expanded her service to assisting military veterans and their families facing critical hardships, offering them guidance and essential resources during life’s most challenging moments.

To date, Margie has given over 4,600 hours in volunteer service to the American Red Cross. She is more than a volunteer—she is a pillar of strength, leadership, and unwavering dedication to those who have served our nation. Her continued commitment embodies the very best of the Red Cross mission, ensuring that military members, veterans, and their families receive the care and recognition they deserve.

From the Western New York Region, the New York State Senate recognized Chuck Haupt of Owego, NY.

After a distinguished career as a photojournalist, Chuck stopped by a Red Cross chapter office one day to inquire about becoming a volunteer. Since that day, over 17 years ago, Chuck’s contributions to the American Red Cross and his community have been immense and multifaceted. Chuck has deployed to a total of 44 Disaster Relief Operations, both local and national, including some of the biggest disasters in the nation’s history – from Hurricanes Harvey, Maria and Ian to the recent wildfires that devastated areas around Los Angeles.

He has served in 21 different volunteer roles over the course of his tenure with the Red Cross, holding positions in Disaster Cycle Services, Communications and serving as a Board Member of the Southern Tier Chapter. In addition to giving his time, Chuck is a blood donor – including Power Reds – and supports the mission of the organization financially.

Chuck is a volunteer who embodies the core principles of the Red Cross through his compassionate and dedicated work. Whether through one of his many roles as a Disaster Action Team member responding to home fires and other local emergencies, or through his work as a visual storyteller/photographer extraordinaire during dozens of national deployments, or the many hours he has dedicated to the region’s special events, Chuck has left a lasting imprint on the organization and the communities we serve. His attention to detail and compassion for those he encounters – client or colleague – exemplify what it means to be a leader and a Red Crosser.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross. 90% of our workforce is volunteers.

In Fiscal Year 24, the American Red Cross in New York State:
 

•  Assisted 6,527 households affected by 3,015 local disasters;
• Hosted 10,089 blood drives and collected more than 224,755 units of blood;
• Taught preparedness education to 27,767 adults and children; and
• New York State Red Cross volunteers donated over 518,857 hours of service to deliver hope and help every day.

To watch the full New York State Senate resolution, please visit https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/sessions/march-17-2025/session-03-17-2025

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.