There are opportunities for everyone to support their community through the Red Cross. Of course, the quickest is to make a donation to the Tri-County Red Cross, but there are many other opportunities.
You can volunteer one hour a year, or eight hours a day. There's something for everyone's schedule and abilities at the Red Cross. Be there for your community, for your neighborhood, and for your family by getting involved today.
- Host a blood drive at your high school, church, business or community organization. Call Denise Neto at (908) 756-6414 to learn how;
- Take free disaster classes to be trained as a volunteer in the event of a major emergency. Call Mike Prasad at (908) 756-6414 for more information;
- Schedule a free Be Red Cross Ready seminar for your PTA, scout parents, church or neighborhood to be sure everyone is prepared to respond in an emergency. Call Mike Prasad at (908) 756-6414 for more information;
- Take a first aid and CPR class to you can help others who are injured or ill;
- Volunteer to help families who lose their homes to fire, work in the office, organize fundraising events, serve as a leader on our board of directors, counsel blood donors at drives, recruit more volunteers at street fairs, teach first aid or CPR, drive seniors to doctors appointments, help a soldier come home for the birth of his daughter.
The full proclamation is below the fold.
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Sixty-two years after its founding, the Red Cross was instrumental in what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the "greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history." In 1943, at the height of World War II, President Roosevelt called on the American people to support the troops by supporting the Red Cross, which provided food, blood, and supplies to American troops, allies, and civilians across the world. President Roosevelt asked Americans to donate funds to the Red Cross, setting a goal of $125 million for 6 weeks of fundraising. The American people responded with characteristic generosity, opening their hearts and wallets. The Red Cross met this goal in less than 6 weeks. During that season of generosity and unity, President Roosevelt proclaimed March 1943 as the first Red Cross Month.
The Red Cross has continued to serve those suffering from large- and small-scale disasters. The organization is best known for its work helping communities deal with major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. These large-scale disasters represent a major part of the work of the American Red Cross. Just as important are the tens of thousands of small-scale disasters that occur every day in communities nationwide, and the volunteers who respond to them. These efforts include supporting our military and their families, collecting and distributing blood, helping the needy, delivering health and safety education, and providing aid abroad.
In every response, volunteers are the key to Red Cross efforts. Volunteers represent 96 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Without their giving spirit, disaster relief operations would fall short, blood donations would fail, and the mission of the Red Cross would go unfulfilled. Whether helping military families stay connected with service members around the world, teaching CPR and first aid, or supporting other members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, volunteers are critical to the success of each and every Red Cross endeavor. These individuals epitomize the generosity and community spirit of the American people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States do hereby proclaim March 2009 as American Red Cross Month. I encourage all Americans to support this organization's noble humanitarian mission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
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