March Officially Declared “Red Cross Month”
National and Local Proclamations Made

 

Executive Director Pat Day, center, and Staff Member MaryAnn Maikisch
Accept the Proclamation from Glen Vetrano, Freeholder Director

Newton, NJ March 9, 2009 - On February 27 March was officially declared “American Red Cross Month” by order of a Presidential Proclamation signed by President Barack Obama. President Obama is following a 66-year old tradition of honoring the organization that was begun by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.      

The proclamation reads in part, “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.”

Locally, the Board of Chosen Freeholders issued a proclamation declaring March as Red Cross Month in Sussex County, citing the high quality service that the chapter provides to the residents.  In accepting a Red Cross flag presented to him by Executive Director Pat Day, Freeholder Director Glen Vetrano stated that the Board of Chosen Freeholders will proudly fly the flag in the county park in Newton throughout the month.  He took the opportunity to announce to the public that he will be chairing a new fundraising initiative to benefit the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross, The Heroes Campaign, that will kick off on March 12 and to ask for community support of that campaign. 

“The Sussex County Chapter has been here to answer the call from local residents for more than 90 years.  However, without additional donations, our chapter will be forced to close its doors.   The Heroes Campaign is a great way for local people of all income levels and in all walks of life to help an organization that has done so much for all of us,” Vetrano said. 

“Most people don’t realize that funding comes from donations from the local community, not from the government.  Today our local chapter is in trouble; today our local chapter needs all of us to answer their call for help.  It is not too late,” he concluded.      

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Visit the Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross at www.sussexredcross.org or contact 973-579-1600.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Visit the Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross at www.sussexredcross.org or contact 973-579-1600.