Letter to the Editor: National Red Cross Month honors volunteers

Editor:

It’s Red Cross Month, a month during which we like to recognize everyday heroes who reach out to help their neighbors when they are in need.

March has been recognized as Red Cross Month for more than 70 years. All of our presidents, including President Barack Obama, have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world.

Our Montana communities are full of everyday heroes. They are our dedicated volunteers, blood donors and financial contributors who bring help and hope to people facing life’s emergencies.

We can’t say thank you enough for all they do. They help disaster victims get on the road to recovery. They give blood to help someone in the hospital. They brighten the day of an injured service member far from home. They take our lifesaving classes and step forward to help someone who is having a heart attack.

March is also a great time to become part of the Red Cross. It’s easy. Household members can work together on a preparedness plan and include testing your smoke alarms. People can sign up to take a class or volunteer their time. They can give blood or make a financial donation.

In fiscal year 2015, the American Red Ross of Montana assisted 198 families who were affected by disasters, trained 10,355 people in lifesaving skills, provided services to 285 military families and collected 40,663 pints of blood.

As part of our Home Fire Campaign, we visited 1,068 homes, installed 2,385 smoke alarms and assisted 885 households with developing home fire evacuation plans.

Red Cross Month is dedicated to everyone who supports our mission. We are grateful to people for their generosity which enables us to continue our work, and encourage everyone to become an everyday hero during Red Cross Month.

Diane Wright

Executive director

American Red Cross of Montana