Red Cross honors community heroes during annual celebration in March

Celebrate by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 23; giving blood; or volunteering

Vermont Business Magazine Imagine in a moment’s notice losing your home and belongings to a natural disaster – or becoming a trauma patient in need of lifesaving blood. When help can’t wait, the American Red Cross is there to lend a hand thanks to the 292 volunteers in Vermont who selflessly provide care and comfort to individuals in need of assistance in local communities and around the country.

In March, the Red Cross Northern New England Region - Vermont Chapter 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. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since.

“When emergencies strike, our community rallies together to help families and individuals when it matters most,” said Kevin Mazuzan, Executive Director, Red Cross Vermont Chapter. “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.

HELP CAN’T WAIT DURING EMERGENCIES. We are proud to share that since July 1, 2021, the Vermont Chapter of the Red Cross has:

• Logged 10, 172 volunteer hours
• Responded to 56 home fires and assisted 168 individuals
• Deployed 5 Vermonters to serve in Kentucky relief efforts following the deadly December tornadoes
• Hosted 593 blood drives and collected 17,768 pints of lifesaving blood

The Red Cross blood supply remains incredibly vulnerable — especially as doctors begin to resume elective surgeries previously delayed by omicron. It’s critical that individuals schedule a blood or platelet donation immediately 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.

As a thank-you, all those who come to give March 1-31 will receive a $10 e-gift card, thanks to Fanatics. Plus, those who come to donate in March will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2022 MLB® All-Star Game® in Los Angeles, California.*

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

*Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/team for details.

BURLINGTON, February 28, 2022 — American Red Cross