March is Red Cross Month

The American Red Cross South Florida Region is kicking off its annual March is Red Cross Month celebration to honor South Florida neighbors and local heroes who deliver support when help can’t wait during emergencies. Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since.

“As disasters become more intense across the country and families face everyday threats like home fires, the support of these local heroes is critical to the health of communities,” said Krista Coletti, Regional Executive for the South Florida Region.

In just the past six months, more than 100 volunteers from the American Red Cross South Florida Region have responded to record-breaking wildfires in California, massive floods and hurricanes across the Southeast, and home fires in South Florida.

This work is made possible by volunteers — who comprise 90% of the Red Cross workforce — and generous donors who provide them with the resources to help people in need. With this support, in 2024 the American Red Cross South Florida Region:

• As they were busy responding to disaster, our local Disaster Cycle Services team had over 1,200 active volunteers that worked a total of over 47,000 hours.

• Our local Service to Armed Forces team had over 240 active volunteers that worked a total of over 5,400 hours.

• To help with local recruiting efforts, our Volunteer Services team was hard at work last year with over 380 volunteers that worked a total of 1,600 hours.

• Over 270 of our volunteers belong to our youth and young adult sector, and they’ve worked a total of over 5,400 hours.

Visit redcross.org/GivingDay to make a financial donation and be part of our annual Giving Day, March 26, during Red Cross Month. A gift 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. You can also visit redcross.org to volunteer or learn lifesaving skills like first aid, CPR or how to use an AED.