“Please remember those who help all of us here in western Kentucky by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Jessica Toren, Executive Director, Paducah Area Chapter. “We want to thank our heroes during Red Cross Month – our volunteers, blood donors, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.”

March was first proclaimed as Red Cross Month 70 years ago by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since 1943, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

Here in the western Kentucky area, the Paducah Area Chapter responded to over 50 local emergencies, assisted military families and trained over 1,200 people in lifesaving skills. And, people from this area donated over 7,700 units of blood.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross and there are many different ways to do it,” Toren said. “They can develop a preparedness plan for their household, become a Red Cross volunteer, give blood, or take a Red Cross class, just to name a few.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping people in need.

The Paducah Area Chapter has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including:

Cheers Food and Fuel Spirit Pumps: A portion of all gas sold from pumps 7 and 8 during the entire month of March at Cheers on Exit 3 will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Swirl’s Frozen Yogurt: rebate night on March 12 from 4-9 pm

Papa John’s Pizza: 10% of sales all day March 13

Zumba for Red Cross: Aurora Fire Department, March 23 at 8 am

Backyard Burgers: Rebate day March 26

McAlister’s Deli: Rebate night March 28 from 5-8 pm

JP’s Bar and Grill: Little Red Dress Party, a portion of proceeds benefit Red Cross, 8 pm

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 join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.