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March is Red Cross Month - A Time to Recognize Everyday Heroes
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March is Red Cross Month: Be a Hero in Your Community
In another year of devastating disasters, 11,500 Red Cross volunteers provided 324 consecutive days of emergency shelter
March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross asks everyone to be a hero in their community by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or donating to #help1family on Red Cross Giving Day, March 27.
The need to help people is constant--and the past year of busy disaster activity was no exception. For 324 consecutive days, more than 43,000 people relied on the Red Cross for emergency shelter following events like record wildfires, hurricanes, floods and large apartment fires. From April 2018 to February 2019, more than 11,500 Red Cross volunteers left the comfort of their own homes to provide comfort, care and a safe place to sleep for tens of thousands affected by disasters.
"During Red Cross Month, we honor the volunteer heroes who help families overcome life's emergencies every day," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "These champions are our neighbors--ordinary people who make an extraordinary difference to ease the suffering of others, whether it's saving a person's life with CPR, donating blood for a hospital patient with life-threatening conditions, or comforting a family overwhelmed by a home fire or other crisis. We ask you to consider joining these heroes to answer the call for service in your community."
WHAT IS RED CROSS MONTH More than 75 years ago, March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission. All U.S. presidents since Roosevelt have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world through its workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers.
EVERY EIGHT MINUTES, SOMEONE NEEDS HELP The Red Cross responds to more than 62,000 disasters a year, most of which are home fires. In January alone, Red Cross volunteers helped about 24,000 people affected by more than 5,700 home fires across every state.
Disasters can cause other critical needs too. This winter, thousands of blood donations have gone uncollected due to snow storms and extreme cold--underscoring the constant need for eligible individuals to donate blood.
‘VOLUNTEERING WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE' Joe Apicelli is among the nearly 372,000 individuals who volunteer with the American Red Cross. Following a massive hurricane more than a decade ago, he was inspired to respond with his local chapter upon seeing heartbreaking images of the storm's aftermath. Ever since, Apicelli has helped people affected by disasters, including last year's record wildfires in California and Hurricanes Florence and Michael.
"Volunteering will change your life. It will give you an opportunity to work with people from all over the country and change up your lifestyle," Apicelli said. "If you want to reach out and help others, volunteer and see the difference it can make in your life. I am honored every time I get to work with my fellow Red Crossers. These are people who have given up their vacation and free time to help others."
HOW YOU CAN #HELP1FAMILY Learn more about how you can help in your area by contacting your local Red Cross chapter or visiting redcross.org:
Become a volunteer: Help families affected by disasters and install lifesaving smoke alarms to keep neighbors safe from home fires. In some areas, you can also provide emergency assistance for military members and veterans, or help reconnect families separated by international conflict.
Give blood: Make an appointment to donate lifesaving blood or platelets.
Learn lifesaving skills: Register for a class to learn first aid, CPR and other skills.
Make a financial donation: On March 27--American Red Cross Giving Day--donate at redcross.org/givingday, uniting with thousands of people like you to help families during the first devastating hours of a disaster. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief like food, shelter and other essentials for families who need it most.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
ABOUT HAWAII RED CROSS
HOURS - Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ABOUT US
The American Red Cross in Hawaii prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
The Hawaii State Chapter provides the following programs and services in the State of Hawaii.
- Disaster Relief
- Safety Training
- Military (Service to the Armed Forces)
- International Services
- Red Cross First Aid Stations
- Community Events and Presentations (speaker requests)
MISSION
The American Red Cross in Hawaii prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
The Hawaii State Chapter responds continually to large and small disasters throughout the State of Hawaii. The Red Cross is the only volunteer organization charged, by federal Congressional Charter, with responding during disasters to provide for the immediate emergency needs of families and individuals. In addition, the Chapter prepares individuals and businesses to be more prepared for emergencies and to initiate appropriate action to ensure the health and safety of those around them and themselves.
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We depend on the aloha spirit of giving from our community to help others in need.
Read more about our vision, values and more...
STATEWIDE PRESENCE
The Hawaii State Chapter consists of the Chapter headquarters, offices on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii and four military service centers (Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Kaneohe Marine Corp Base and Tripler Army Medical Center).
HISTORY
Founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, the American Red Cross is one of the oldest human service organizations in the United States. In 1905, the U.S. Congress chartered the Red Cross to help relieve the suffering caused by disasters. Over the years, we have become part of the very fiber of the community and Americans have grown to expect and rely on our swift, professional assistance through a national volunteer corps of more than 1.44 million people. The American Red Cross is one of more than 145 member nations that comprise the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, 967 chapters make up the American Red Cross.
Although 1917 is the official date that the first American Red Cross chapter was chartered in Hawaii, Red Cross work began as early as 1898, when some 300 women, including Princess Kaiulani, organized a Red Cross society to aid the sick and wounded soldiers stopping here on transports from the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.
Today, the Hawaii State Chapter is a leader in health and safety training. Red Cross disaster volunteers respond regularly to house and apartment fires, and are prepared for larger disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods.
Through its extensive use of trained volunteers, the American Red Cross has earned a reputation for being of one of the nation's most efficiently managed non-profit organizations, a distinction that has been recognized by publications such as Forbes, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times and Money Magazine. The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has over 4,000 volunteers - a volunteer-to-staff ratio of more than 10 to 1.
The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross is known for excellent stewardship of funds. We have always prided ourselves on providing services that do not duplicate the services of other non-profits organizations and proactively seeking ways to collaborate with other providers.
Sep 14, 1917: Queen Liliuokalani's secretary, Colonel Iaukea, presents a hand-sewn Red Cross flag to members of the local Chapter on the steps of Iolani Palace. This ceremony took place a few months after the Hawaii Chapter was officially chartered. At the Queen's suggestion, the flag flew over the palace and later hung in the Throne Room during World War I. Mrs. Henry Dawson accepts flag. Territorial Governor Lucius Pinkham is behind Iaukea.
View more historical photos
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Vision
- ...all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;
- ...our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;
- ...everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;
- ...all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
- ...in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that
Values
- Compassionate: We are dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.
- Collaborative: We work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations, and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
- Creative: We seek new ideas, are open to change and always look for better ways to serve those in need.
- Credible: We act with integrity, are transparent guardians of the public trust and honor our promises.
- Committed: We hold ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding our donor funds.
Local Training and Preparedness
- Lifesaving training to almost 20,000 people per year (CPR, first aid, aquatics, babysitting, pet first aid, and nurse aide training)
- Free Annual Summer Swim program for over 45 years at Ala Moana Beach for hundreds of keiki and adults, and a volunteer teen Summer Buddies leadership program.
- Workplace Safety teaches workers how to prevent injuries and respond to life threatening emergencies
- Caregiving teaches families to care for loved ones at home, or in a career to care for sick, elderly and disabled in a care setting.
- Disaster preparedness information was shared with over 27,000 people on how to prepare for emergencies
- Pre-deployment briefings provided to 17,000 servicemen and families
Relevance of Red Cross in Hawaii
- With the threat of flu pandemic, terrorist attacks, and major natural and man-made disasters, the American Red Cross is more relevant and necessary than ever before. It is not "if," but "when" a major disaster in Hawaii will occur, and with your help, we'll be ready.
- The Red Cross is not a government agency. All disaster training and services are free, made possible by generous donations from local individuals and businesses and our dedicated volunteers.
Questions? Ready for an appointment?
American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter
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