St. Croix volunteers gather for Sound the Alarm, a home fire safety event in the communities of Campo Rico and Estate Whim.
ST. CROIX, USVI – March 4, 2024 – The American Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands is celebrating Red Cross Month, a tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national proclamation. The month-long observance recognizes generation after generation of compassionate individuals who have come together to deliver our humanitarian mission.
“The month of March is a special time -- we are fortunate to celebrate both Red Cross Month and Virgin Islands History Month simultaneously,” says Tina Beazer, Executive Director. “We are proud to honor each and every volunteer who has served with a heart for humanitarian service in our island community.”
OUR HISTORY ON THE ISLANDS
With more than a century of compassionate service, the Red Cross traces its local history back to 1904, when the islands were still under the rule of Denmark.
The first local Chapter, then known as the Santa Cruz Chapter, was chartered on December 12, 1917, after the islands had become U.S. territory. The name was formally changed to the St. Croix Chapter in 1963. A Chapter dedicated to the islands of St. Thomas and St. John was chartered May 9, 1918, expanding services to the three islands.
In the summer of 1920, a cadre of social workers, librarians and nurses from the American Red Cross on the mainland traveled to the recently acquired U.S. Virgin Islands. This led to the establishment of nursing programs in local schools and the establishment of the Territory’s first library, St. Thomas Public Library, which still operates today.
Humanitarian disaster relief activities soon followed when Hurricane Gale passed directly over the Territory on August 28, 1924. This storm devastated the island of St. John, causing at least 100 casualties. Red Cross then expanded services beyond disaster relief to include emergency preparedness, working to enhance community resilience and reduce human suffering.
In September 2017, Category 5 Hurricanes Irma and Maria tore through the territory within two weeks of each other, with Irma pummeling St. Thomas and St. John, followed by Maria’s devastation of St. Croix. In response to these disasters, the Red Cross worked with partners to provide vital aid for residents with communications and power out across the islands. In the immediate aftermath, we worked to support sheltering for island residents who had lost their homes, as well as feeding and emotional support. For some survivors who remained on the islands but went weeks without power, Red Cross volunteers visited residents in their homes to assess their needs and provided items like generators and clean up kits.
Today, Red Cross supporters are preparing to address emergency needs driven by the growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, while working to foster greater resiliency in our communities. National Red Cross programs such as the Home Fire (Safety) Campaign, Youth Disaster Preparedness and Be Red Cross Ready help us educate the Virgin Islands community.
On January 27, Red Cross workers partnered with the Virgin Islands Fire Service and several community organizations to install smoke alarms in communities on St. Croix and St. Thomas. More than 80 households were served in one day, with 181 free smoke alarms installed and home fire safety education conducted. Staff and volunteers continue to hold trainings, exercises, and meetings in preparation for any natural disaster that may arrive on our shores.
As we come together to commemorate Red Cross Month, our work has never been more relevant or urgent. We invite Virgin Islanders to learn more about our mission and how to help.
The American Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands has offices in St. Croix and St. Thomas (serving St. Thomas, St. John, and the Water Island districts). Call us at 340-778-5104 (STX) or 340-774-0375 (STT). For more information, please visit redcross.org/USVI.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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