The Palmetto South Carolina Region of the American Red Cross is honored to announce that Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed March as Red Cross month in South Carolina. He presented the official proclamation to the Red Cross during an event Tuesday afternoon at the State Capitol

Since 1943, every U.S. president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers.

“After a year unlike any other, we remain thankful for the continued support from Governor McMaster and all of our state partners,” said Rod Tolbert, Regional CEO of the Palmetto SC Region of the Red Cross. “This March is very special for us because it gives us the chance to celebrate the more than 2,200 volunteers who have adapted, learned new skills, and overcome challenges to make our work possible.”

Last year, that work included responding to nearly 2,300 disasters, helping 5,100 people after those disasters, and working with partners to save 76 lives through our Home Fire Campaign. The Red Cross of South Carolina also collected nearly 80,000 units of lifesaving blood. All of this while the Red Cross continued to focus on active duty military, veterans and their families. In fact, the Red Cross provide more than 11,000 case services to military families, including emergency communications for their deployed loved one.

“The past year, as we have all faced unprecedented challenges, the Red Cross was there to help those in need every time. Whether it was responding to home fires, collecting lifesaving blood, opening shelters after storms, or lending a hand to our military,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “I’m honored to designate the month of March as Red Cross Month, and our state is grateful for its commitment to the people of South Carolina.”

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.  The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC