Make communities stronger during “Red Cross Month” this March

By Justin Kern

A volunteer brings dinner to people displaced from an apartment fire in Milwaukee. Blood collections teams welcome back donors after disruption by an ice storm in La Crosse. A military officer returns home from deployment to be with family in Wood County after the death of a loved one.

All of these actions made our community stronger—and they all happened in the past few days because of support and involvement with the American Red Cross.

In March, the Wisconsin Region of the Red Cross is honoring the people who make its mission possible every day during its annual Red Cross Month celebration—a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation recognizing those who give back through the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross is inviting people to get involved.

“When emergencies strike, our community rallies together to help families and individuals when it matters most,” said Mark Thomas, Regional CEO and Southeast Wisconsin Chapter Executive Director, American Red Cross. “We honor this dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, and we invite everyone to turn their compassion into action by donating, volunteering, giving blood, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

Join Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid and CPR. On March 23, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support, and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

Nearly 800 people have received comfort and essentials from Red Cross disaster teams after more than 155 home fires across Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan since the start of 2022.

Red Cross teams are in search of new volunteers who want to help people through their darkest time following local disasters. Areas of particular disaster volunteer need include Milwaukee, Beloit, Hayward, Monroe, Rhinelander, Racine, and Houghton, Mich.

Volunteer opportunities are available at redcross.org/DAT.

The Red Cross blood supply remains incredibly vulnerable due to the impacts of the pandemic and winter weather. It’s critical that individuals schedule a blood or platelet donation to help ensure patients get the care they need as soon as possible.

To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.