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Supervisor Thomas recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross Month.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In honor of those that turn compassion into action, Red Cross Month falls in the month of March. The Red Cross Society has been saving lives since the 1800s and is made up of volunteers who offer to help others in times of crisis. The American Red Cross came into being in 1881. Their first congressional charter was received in 1900. According to the statistics, the American Red Cross responds to an emergency every eight minutes. That means that in every 24-hour period, the Red Cross responds to approximately 180 emergencies.
The International Committee of The Red Cross (I.C.R.C.) was founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant in Geneva, Switzerland, and called for improved care for wounded soldiers in wartime. In August 1864, the first Geneva Convention was held, and armies became obliged to care for wounded soldiers, whatever side they were on. A unified emblem, the now-iconic red cross on its white background, was implemented.
In 1919, following the end of World War I, the I.C.R.C. founded the League of Red Cross Societies. Later, in World War II, the Red Cross’s activities expanded hugely as the organization worked tirelessly to save the lives of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the conflict. The Red Cross worked tirelessly to ship relief supplies across the globe, reaching both prisoners of war and civilians.
Since the early 1900s, the Red Cross has been giving training to other civilians. It is thanks to the Red Cross that the first U.S. civilian blood program was launched in the 1940s. Today, that program provides more than 40% of the blood products in the country.
Red Cross Month honors people like you who make the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross possible. The celebration has been an annual tradition since 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that March would now be Red Cross Month.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the Chair signing of the Proclamation.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
The Board could choose not to approve the Chair signing of the Proclamation.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
- Obtain the Chair's signature and originals to be signed.
- Signed documents should be directed to local Red Cross representative.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Supervisor Wendy Thomas 530-621-5652