American Red Cross Month proclaimed
The Highland County Press
Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer and Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings passed a proclamation recognizing March 2013 as American Red Cross Month in Highland County during the Wednesday, March 13 county commission meeting.
Commissioners encouraged all citizens to support the American Red Cross in their important mission.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers who provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross is the only organization chartered by the United States Congress to provide disaster services; is the leader in teaching CPR with AED, first aid and other health and safety courses to children and adults; and provides emergency communications and assistance to Armed Services members and their families.
According to Red Cross Community Relations Coordinator (for Clinton and Highland counties) Kelley Robbins, the Red Cross provided disaster relief assistance to 56 clients and 14 families in Highland County last year.
In addition, the local Red Cross – with only one employee and 50 volunteers – provides services to first responders and families of those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Every year during the month of April, the Clinton and Highland County Office of the American Red Cross has the privilege of hosting the annual Heroes Awards Breakfast, a community celebration honoring local individuals whose extraordinary acts or efforts lead to saving or improving lives in Clinton or Highland County, made a difference or impact on another person or the community, committed a selfless act with no expectation of recognition, or is distinguished in their occupation or field of interest.
This year's heroes awards breakfast will be Wednesday, April 17 from 7-9 a.m. at the Roberts Centre near Wilmington.
The guest speaker will be Daniel Hernandez, Jr.
Hernandez, 22, is a Tucson native and a graduate at the University of Arizona.
He was a congressional intern for the office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District and while on the job assisting Congresswoman Giffords with a constituent event in Tucson on Jan. 8, 2011, Hernandez took actions for which he is widely credited with saving the life of the congresswoman after a gunman shot her and 18 other people.
"His medical training, quick thinking, and brave actions on that day have caused him to be celebrated as a true American hero, although he humbly rejects the title," the Red Cross said.
For information on the heroes breakfast or to make a donation to the Red Cross, contact Red Cross Community Relations Coordinator Kelley Robbins at (937) 382-0083 or email kelley.robbins@redcross.org.
[[In-content Ad]]About Red Cross Month
March is Red Cross Month, a time to remind everyone of the work of the American Red Cross in communities across the country and around the globe – and how we depend on public support to help people in need.
The American Red Cross was created in 1881 by Clara Barton and officially chartered by Congress in 1900 to provide national and international relief during disasters, and to give relief to the military and serve as a means of communication between members of the Armed Forces and their families.
From the beginning, people in this country have volunteered and donated funds to support the Red Cross in its mission to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the first Red Cross Month in support of Red Cross fundraising efforts to respond to needs brought on by World War II. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month.
Today, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. Through a worldwide network, the American Red Cross provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world. Red Cross Blood Services collects and distributes more than 40 percent of this country’s blood supply. And, more than 9 million people across the United States receive American Red Cross training in first aid, water safety and other skills every year.
Thanks to the generous support of people in this country, the American Red Cross is able to mobilize to help people in need. The Red Cross is not a government agency, but relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work.
Your generosity helps provide life-changing and often lifesaving services down the street, across the country and around the world. Show your support during Red Cross Month because moments of hope are made possible by people like you.