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Column: We Honor our Community Heroes During Red Cross Month

Red Cross Flag Raising at Greenwich Town Hall

By Stephanie Dunn Ashley

March is a very special time of year when we celebrate American Red Cross Month to honor the people who make our lifesaving mission possible. This annual tradition began nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the first “Red Cross Month” in March 1943 — and in each year since, every U.S. president has followed this honored tradition.

When help can’t wait during emergencies, Red Cross volunteers and blood donors step up to ensure people in need receive relief and care. Every eight minutes, Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster in the U.S. Their support is critical — as large disasters like hurricanes, floods and wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, and home fires continue to upend lives each day. This past year, across our Metro New York North Chapter, which includes Greenwich, as well as Rockland and Westchester counties, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, we have assisted more than 1400 of our neighbors after nearly 100 fires and other emergencies.

The need for blood is also constant. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and one donation can help save more than one life. The Red Cross holds blood drives across the country each day where volunteer blood donors roll up a sleeve to help patients in need. Here in Greenwich, I invite you to roll up your sleeve at our new Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center, located at our headquarters at 99 Indian Field Road. You can register to donate by visiting www.redcrossblood.org

Plus, our Service to the Armed Forces branch focuses on active service members, veterans, and their families. The Red Cross is responsible for providing various humanitarian services and resources to over 1.4 million active-duty personnel and over 1.2 million members of the National Guard/Reserves. Red Cross volunteers provide 24/7, global support to help military families — including many who have experienced multiple deployments over the past decade. We honor the many families in Greenwich and throughout our region with family members who valiantly serve to protect our country. We also salute the many local students who attend military colleges, such as the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where our volunteers are proud to support cadets and families.

In addition, as part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, Red Cross workers respond to international disasters and help communities prepare for emergencies around the globe.

Millions of Red Cross-trained individuals stand ready every day to use CPR, first aid, lifeguarding, and other lifesaving skills during an emergency. As a volunteer firefighter and certified EMT, I can attest that these skills are invaluable. Last month, we presented the Red Cross Lifesaving award to two heroes, Leroy Hadley and Joe Zanzono, who saved the life of a fellow golfer on the course at the Leewood Golf Club, proving you never know when you will be able to put these lifesaving skills into use.

As I traveled our chapter region to kick off this year’s Red Cross Month celebration in Metro New York North, I was so proud to recognize the incredible work of our volunteers. Despite two years of a global pandemic, their unwavering compassion helped to ensure the Red Cross continues to be there for individuals and families who need us most — a dedication that truly embodies our vital mission to deliver support when help can’t wait during emergencies.

This Red Cross Month, I encourage you to celebrate these local heroes and become one yourself! You can learn a lifesaving skill, roll up your sleeve to donate blood, sign up to be a volunteer, or make a financial donation. Just visit our website, www.redcross.org to learn more.

My great thanks to our selfless volunteers, blood and financial donors, and community partners who make our humanitarian work possible during Red Cross Month and every day. We appreciate all of you!

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