LA PLATA, Md. (Feb. 24, 2009)—Charles County Commissioners today signed a proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross Month in Charles County—a tradition dating back to 1943 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the first such proclamation. The proclamation reads:
“NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Commissioners of Charles County, Maryland, do hereby encourage all citizens of Charles County to support the American Red Cross’s noble humanitarian mission with donations of TIME, MONEY and BLOOD and we hereby proclaim March 2009 as American Red Cross Month. We encourage all citizens of Charles County to support the American Red Cross’s noble humanitarian mission in southern Maryland with donations of time money and blood.”
Mike Zabko, CEO of the southern Maryland chapter of the Red Cross, was on hand for the proclamation.
“The Red Cross wants to thank the Charles County Commissioners for their continued support, and for issuing this proclamation in honor of March as Red Cross Month,” said Zabko. “We are proud to be the place where everyday people can do extraordinary things, and we hope our entire community will continue to support the Southern Maryland Chapter so that we can continue to offer lifesaving services everyday.”
Zabco says this year the Red Cross will use March to focus on the volunteers and employees who demonstrate compassion and generosity by supporting the Red Cross in southern Maryland and around the country. More than 700 Red Cross chapters and blood regions across the country will also celebrate with special events, trainings and fundraisers that give the public a chance to learn more about the Red Cross and all the ways they can be involved.
In the past year, Zabco says the local chapter responded to nearly 100 local emergencies, assisted 700 military families, and trained nearly 15,000 people in lifesaving skills.