WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (March 2, 2020) — Not all heroes wear capes, but some wear a Red Cross vest. During March — which the president of the U.S. has proclaimed as American Red Cross Month for more than 75 years — South Florida Red Cross celebrates its volunteer heroes and asks people across the South Florida Region to be a hero too by donating on Red Cross Giving Day (March 25), becoming a volunteer or learning skills that save lives.
“Every day, families rely on Red Cross volunteers for urgent relief and hope during crises,” said Joanne Nowlin, CEO of the South Florida Region. “We honor their service during Red Cross Month and ask you to join them to make a difference.”
Volunteers represent more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce and help people every day — often after home fires, which represent most of the disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes in the U.S. Just in the past year, the South Florida Red Cross deployed more than 200 volunteers to respond to major disasters across the country and helped over 2,400 people impacted by a home fire locally.
John Vicenti, a Red Cross volunteer who helps local families impacted by disasters is among the thousands of volunteers within the South Florida Red Cross that volunteer their time to bring hope and help to those that need it most.
“Through the Red Cross I have had the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life whether it be helping at a home fire, hurricane or in the local chapter,” shares Vicenti. “The Red Cross also provides me with purpose, the feeling of being needed and helping those in need.
Vicenti has spent his whole life serving the community. For 34 years he worked in the military, then for the New York City Fire Department and now helps people with hearing loss stay connected to the world. He says, “Volunteering is part of my life and will always be a part of my life.”
HOW YOU CAN BE A HERO On March 25, Red Cross Giving Day, donate at redcross.org/givingday to #help1family who loses nearly everything to a disaster. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief like food, shelter and other essentials. Donations are key to saving lives because they fund nearly 100 percent of Red Cross disaster relief activities.
You can also visit redcross.org/SouthFlorida to learn more about our programs and services, register for a class in lifesaving skills like CPR and First Aid, or become a volunteer for opportunities needed throughout the South Florida Region in disaster response, sheltering and preparedness education.
Disaster Action Team Member: When a disaster like a home fire displaces a family from their home, trained volunteers respond to ensure that they don’t face it alone. As part of a team, help local families by wrapping a blanket around their shoulders, addressing their urgent needs like food and a safe place to stay, and connecting them with recovery assistance.
Home Fire Campaign Volunteer: Want to spend a rewarding day teaming with fellow volunteers to help local families in need? Install free smoke alarms and help residents create home fire escape plans through the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has saved hundreds of lives.
Be a hero in your community and learn ways you can support the Red Cross by visiting redcross.org/SouthFlorida.
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/southflorida and visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
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