Red Cross thanks its 580 Maine volunteers in March

PORTLAND — 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 580 volunteers in Maine who provide care and comfort to individuals in need of assistance locally and around the country.
In March, the Red Cross Northern New England Region’s Maine Chapters are 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 Nicole Evans, executive director of the Red Cross Central and Mid Coast Maine 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.”
Since July 1 Maine Chapters of the Red Cross have:
• Logged 16,105 volunteer hours
• Responded to 181 home fires and assisted 663 individuals
• Deployed four Mainers to serve in Kentucky relief efforts following the deadly December tornadoes
• Hosted 1,237 blood drives and collected 27,538 pints of lifesaving blood
To learn how to volunteer, find a blood drive or make a donation, visit redcross.org.
All those who donate blood March 1-31 will receive a $10 e-gift card, as well as be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Los Angeles.