In 2024: 184 VI Volunteers Contributed Nearly 11,000 Hours of Selfless Service

St. Croix, USVI – March 6, 2025 – The American Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands is celebrating Red Cross Month in March, a national tradition that began in 1943 by presidential proclamation and continues today. The month-long observance recognizes generation after generation of compassionate individuals driven by a humanitarian spirit to deliver relief and care in emergencies.

“The month of March is a special time for the Red Cross, especially here in USVI,” says Tina Beazer, Executive Director. “We are fortunate to celebrate both Red Cross Month and Virgin Islands History Month simultaneously, and we proudly recognize the individuals who represent the best of humanity by stepping up to care for our neighbors in times of crisis.”

OUR HISTORY ON THE ISLANDS

With more than a century of compassionate service, the Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands traces its 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.

Just last August, a Red Cross team from the mainland traveled to St. Croix to support our island team in preparing to stand-up a relief operation for Tropical Storm Ernesto, in the event of a significant impact. Ultimately, an operation was established in Puerto Rico after Ernesto caused significant flooding and power outages.

Today, the Red Cross of USVI is preparing to meet the next crisis while working year-round to make our island community more resilient. National Red Cross programs such as the Home Fire (Safety) Campaign, Youth Disaster Preparedness and Be Red Cross Ready help educate the Virgin Islands community as extreme weather worsens. This March, Red Cross workers will once again partner with the Virgin Islands Fire Service and several community organizations to install free smoke alarms in communities on St. Croix and St. Thomas.

JOIN US

The American Red Cross is an organization for the people, by the people. ​The backbone of the Red Cross is our volunteers who represent over 90% of Red Cross workforce on the islands. Without their dedication, our mission would not be possible.  

Our need for volunteers is constant. New volunteers can expect to gain expertise ​that will be ​useful in day-to-day life and new skills can be ​learned while gaining the satisfaction of helping ​your own community, ​your own neighbors. Consider becoming a Red Crosser today! Apply online at redcross.org/usvi or call 340-778-5104 (St. Croix) or 340-774-0375 (St. Thomas).   

Neighbors can also visit redcross.org/GivingDay to be part of our annual Giving Day, March 26, during Red Cross Month. A financial donation of any size helps provide emergency shelter, food, relief supplies, basic health care, emotional support and financial assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

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 (St. Croix) or 340-774-0375 (St. Thomas). For more information, please visit redcross.org/USVI or facebook.com/RedCrossUSVI.

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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