The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region recognizes and thanks our supporters and volunteers whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

"The Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most-and we are grateful for the public support that enables us to continue our work - here at home and abroad," said CEO Linda Mathes. "Our community and our nation depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of our neighbors  to achieve our mission. We know that strength here means strength there, as evidenced by our staff and volunteers deployed to help in Haiti.

"During Red Cross Month, we want to recognize the valuable supporters whose generosity makes the work of the American Red Cross possible," she added. "In addition, Red Cross Month is a great time for people to get involved with the Red Cross, such as donating blood; signing up for a CPR, first aid or another Red Cross course; giving a financial gift that can really save the day when the next disaster strikes, or getting involved as a volunteer."

In the National Capital Region, our Red Cross was there last year providing:

Disaster Relief and Community Disaster Education
When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross is there.  968 volunteers responded to 452 local disasters. We helped 802 affected families with emergency food, shelter and supplies. Because being prepared can make your family and community safer and sometimes minimize injury and destruction, we provided disaster education presentations to 154,301 individuals in the community to educate, equip and empower them to prevent and prepare for disasters or other life-threatening emergencies.

Health and Safety Services
From first aid, CPR and AED training to swimming and lifeguarding, Red Cross programs help people lead safer and healthier lives. Health and Safety enrolled 95,591 people in over 10,634 classes - totaling more than 100,000 individuals in our community who have learned lifesaving skills through classes offered within the region.

Service to the Armed Forces
The American Red Cross provides communication between those in the Armed Forces stationed away from home and their families. We have a worldwide network that reaches service members wherever they are to communicate the birth of a child or the death or illness of a loved one. This year, we provided 11,439 services and assistance to over 975 military families.

International Services
The international tracing program helps local families find relatives with whom they have lost contact because of a natural disaster, war or internal conflict. We provided assistance to 142 families through this service.

Community Services
45,809 people in the region were touched by Red Cross We depend on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to carry out our work. Volunteers constitute 97 percent of our total workforce; they serve as members of our board, act as instructors teaching lifesaving skills, participate as disaster response team members, office administrators, event organizers and more. This year, 5,499 volunteers made the work of this region possible.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to "rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross."  Every president since that time has recognized the work of the Red Cross with a Red Cross Month. President Obama signed the 2010 Red Cross Month proclamation on February 25.

Our Region has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month in March. We will also be participating in a number of events throughout the region.  Major upcoming events include:

Oscar Night    March 7  in Washington, DC

March Mania   March 6 and 7 in Arlington, Va.

Rock the Red   March 20  in Woodbridge, VA