By American Red Cross Staff
The American Red Cross chapter serving the Chippewa Valley is joining ARC chapters nationwide in observing March as Red Cross Month.
“Our community is full of everyday heroes who help others in need,” said Kyle Kriegl, executive director of the Northwest Wisconsin chapter of the ARC. “They are our selfless Red Cross volunteers, blood donors and financial contributors who bring hope to people facing life’s emergencies. During Red Cross Month, we thank them for their tremendous support.”
March has been recognized as Red Cross Month for more than 70 years. Every U.S. president since Woodrow Wilson has designated this month to recognize how the ARC provides assistance nationally and around the world.
Nationally, the Red Cross responds to a community disaster every eight minutes, and collects an average of 14,000 units of blood daily to help meet the country’s needs. It also trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills, and supports worldwide vaccination of children against measles and rubella.
The Northwest Wisconsin chapter responded to 83 local emergencies in fiscal 2015, assisted over 300 military families and trained 23,574 people in lifesaving skills. People from this area donated 28,716 units of blood in the past year, according to Kriegl.
“It’s easy to become a Red Cross community hero,” he said. “Be ready for an emergency by creating a preparedness plan for your home. Test your smoke detectors and tell your neighbors to do the same. Or sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer or make a financial donation.”
The ARC’s Northwest Wisconsin chapter serves some 600,000 people with its goals of preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies. Information about the chapter’s programs, services and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.redcross.org/Wisconsin or by calling the local office at 715-271-8395.