In a heartfelt showing of appreciation, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross publicly thanked the Macomb County Board of Commissioners today for its proclamation declaring March 2010 as American Red Cross month in Macomb County.
“We appreciate this recognition from the Macomb County Board of Commissioners,” said James Laverty, CEO of the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter. “We are working to be there for people when they need us the most – whether it’s here in southeast Michigan, across the country or around the globe.”
The Board recognized the Red Cross for its role in providing humanitarian aid to victims of disasters, as well as services to the military, health and safety training, and a majority of the region’s blood supply.
While the U.S. president has traditionally declared every March as Red Cross Month since 1943, the local Red Cross was glad to receive the recognition in its own back yard.
The Board of Commissioners recognized the Southeastern Michigan Chapter at its recent Feb. 25 meeting with an official proclamation, for such things as providing local disaster relief to an average of four home fires a day in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, providing families with temporary food, clothing and shelter to help them rebuild after their losses.
The Board of Commissioners also acknowledged the local Red Cross for supporting military personnel and their families, helping them to cope with the stresses of deployment as service members help fight terrorism a world away.
The Board further recognized the Chapter for preparing residents for medical emergencies, citing the fact that last year, the Red Cross certified 47,762 Oakland, Macomb and Wayne county residents in First Aid/CPR/AED, and 76,176 residents in water safety skills.
Similarly, the Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross was recognized for supplying a majority of the blood supply, providing blood to 43 hospitals in the region.
The Red Cross was also lauded for supporting international relief efforts, to help other countries cope with enormous disasters, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, where the Red Cross will continue providing aid for years to come.
Filed under: Disaster, Donate, News, Red Cross Month, Uncategorized Tagged: | American Red Cross, Learn, News, Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
