Red Cross Month
Each year, the President of the United States declares March “Red Cross Month.” This annual event provides a unique opportunity to think about the important role the Red Cross plays every day right here in central Massachusetts.
When we look back on 2005, we are reminded of the unprecedented disasters we read about in the paper and watched on television. The coverage regarding the tsunami halfway around the world and the devastating hurricanes this season galvanized communities into action. But right here in central Massachusetts, the disasters your Red Cross responded to were no less devastating for those affected by them. Over the past seven months, our dedicated volunteers responded to provide help at 66 local fires, which left 240 families homeless with little but the clothes on their backs. Thanks to our volunteers, these individuals received food, clothing, temporary housing and many more of the vital services they needed to start to rebuild there lives.
Days after we watched Hurricane Katrina wreak havoc on the Gulf Coast, our very own Chapter was drawn into the relief efforts as over 80 families from the devastated region drove thousands of miles to be welcomed by the Red Cross into our wonderful City of Worcester where they would begin their new lives.
As we were preparing to deploy our veteran volunteers to the Coast, over 450 of your neighbors answered our call for help and completed fast track disaster training to join both our local and National teams. Over 125 volunteers from central Massachusetts were deployed for relief assignments of three weeks or more.
Our volunteers and staff worked 24 hours a day for several weeks as the people of central Massachusetts responded to our needs. Our community responded with financial contributions from local businesses large and small, school children covered their gymnasium floors with pennies and children came in and personally handed their birthday money and allowances over for “someone who needed it more.”
In addition to disaster services, Red Cross volunteers and staff are out in the community each day, providing vital health and safety services. During 2005, the chapter taught nearly 30,000 of our neighbors lifesaving courses including first aid, CPR and nurse assistant training. We reached 400 military families with emergency communications and taught over 10,000 children in our community how to swim.
Through our efforts, we have learned that every dark cloud has its silver lining. As we take time this March to reflect on all of our successes, we would like to thank each and every one of you who have in some way helped the Red Cross keep our doors open to those in need. Whether you are a dedicated volunteer, a student in our classroom, or you are one of the thousands who made a financial donation, your support has shown us that you not only appreciate what we do, but we can count on our neighbors to be there when help can’t wait!
Sincerely,
Michael Tsotsis
Chairman of the Board
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