DOWN THE STREET. ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AROUND THE WORLD.

America's spirit shines when everyday people do extraordinary things. This is the spirit of the work of the American Red Cross. March is Red Cross Month, a time when we reflect on our own family of Red Cross heroes: volunteers, donors, engaged community members and employees. Every hour, 365 days a year, the American Red Cross and our volunteers work to prepare for disaster and rebuild lives that have been shattered by the unexpected -- down the street, across the country and around the world.   WHAT IS RED CROSS MONTH? Every March, a Proclamation is signed and issued by the President of the United States declaring March as Red Cross Month, a tradition upheld by every  leader dating back to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943. Then, it was part of the War Fund Drives to support the military and civilians affected by World War II, which Roosevelt called "the greatest single crusade of mercy in all history." Today, Red Cross month is a chance for us to thank our supporters and urge Americans to continue to be involved in the Red Cross. Sign up for a CPR, First Aid or Safety class Develop a plan for personal and workplace preparedness. Give a financial gift that will save the day when the next disaster strikes. Get involved with the Red Cross in your community.   ...DOWN THE STREET The Red Cross changes lives right here in King and Kitsap Counties. Here are a few of them: NEW! Vicki and Bill: Shelter Volunteers Laura: Life-saver (COMING SOON!) Chloe and Noah: Givers (COMING SOON!) The Pumphouse Gang: Everyday heroes (COMING SOON!) Morgan: Instructor (COMING SOON!) Amanda: Long-distance support (COMING SOON!) Find out about the Heroes honored at our Heroes Breakfasts in Bremerton (Kitsap and N Mason Counties) and March 11 to Seattle!   ...ACROSS THE COUNTRY They all agree about something. American Presidents speak out for the American Red Cross. Read President Barack Obama's Proclamation for 2010. Are you a life saver? Since Clara Barton treated the first wounded soldier, First Aid has been a critical part of the mission of the American Red Cross. Every year, through more than 700 locally-supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and resopnd to medical emergencies in their homes and communities. 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross teaching First Aid. Celebrate by getting (or refreshing) your Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification. We offer daytime, evening and weekend classes. The American Red Cross. Did you know that, although we have been chartered by Congress to provide short-term emergency relief for natural or manmade disasters, the American Red Cross is not a government organization? We are a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of the American people to meet needs. During a disaster, the organization works closely with government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to coordinate services, but remains politically neutral and impartial. The Red Cross receives very little money from the government. In fact, more than 95% of local Red Cross funding comes from the generosity of individuals, businesses and community foundations. You can support the Red Cross with a financial donation. To learn more about the efforts of the Red Cross across the United States visit www.redcross.org.     ...AROUND THE WORLD The Red Cross is an international humanitarian Movement dedicated to saving lives. The American Red Cross is a member of the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is made up of 185 national societies around the world. The International Committee of the Red Cross coordinates international relief efforts and helps protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and violence. Together, we are guided by our Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 186 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. International humanitarian law. The Red Cross has historically played a critical role in the development of IHL, and our local chapter carries this vision forward by educating the public of King & Kitsap Counties about its importance. Find out about upcoming programs here. Chile. Following the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake on February 27 the Chilean Red Cross is providing search and rescue services, administering First Aid and distributing pre-positioned supplies in close coordination with the Chilean National Emergency Office. Officials report that more than 2 million people have been affected by the earthquake and approximately 1.5 million houses may have sustained damage. The International Federation of the Red Cross made a preliminary emergency appeal of $6.4 million to all Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in order to assist the Chilean Red Cross. The American Red Cross is accepting donations in response to this appeal. Read more. Haiti. The Red Cross responded following the Haiti earthquake in January, working to turn despair into hope. The American Red Cross is there – More than 600 Red Cross and Red Crescent workers from at least 30 countries around the world are in Haiti supporting thousands of local Red Cross volunteers. This is the largest single-country relief operation in global Red Cross history in terms of emergency relief teams deployed. Thanks to the generosity of donors after the earthquake, people in Haiti will receive short-term relief from the Red Cross as well as resources, support and training to help them recover and rebuild in the years ahead. Read more. To learn more about the efforts of the Red Cross Movement around the world visit the Web sites of  International Committee of the Red Cross or International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

WHERE WILL YOUR RED CROSS BE THIS WEEK? MARCH 22 Youth Community Disaster Education, Madrona Elementary Adult CPR/First Aid, Seattle office Adult, Child, Infant CPR/First Aid, Seattle office   23 Community Disaster Education, Capitol Hill Youth Community Disaster Education, Madrona Elementary Adult CPR/AED, Seattle office Adult CPR, Bremerton office Quick Look at Infant First Aid/CPR, Seattle Community Disaster Education, Bremerton   24 Community Disaster Education, Ballard Community Disaster Education, Bremerton Youth Community Disaster Education, Alternative School #1 Adult CPR/First Aid, Redmond Adult, Child Infant CPR Review, Seattle office CPR/AED for the Professional, Seattle office   25 First Aid, Seattle office First Aid, Bremerton office HIV/AIDS Education, Seattle office Community Disaster Education, Silverdale   26 Adult CPR/First Aid, Kent   27 Adult CPR/First Aid, Burien Adult, Child, Infant CPR/First Aid, Seattle office Childcare CPR/First Aid with Bloodborne Pathogens, Seattle office Babysitter's Training, Northgate HIV/AIDS/Bloodborne Pathogens, Seattle office   28 Quick Look at CPR/First Aid, Green Lake International Humanitarian Law, Renton HIV/AIDS Education with Bloodborne Pathogens, Bremerton Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, Seattle office Adult CPR, First Aid Review, Seattle office   29 Adult CPR, Seattle office Adult, Child Infant CPR, Seattle office CPR/AED for the Professional, Seattle office   30 Youth Basic Aid Training, New Futures Community Disaster Education, Bremerton Adult CPR/First Aid, Seattle office Adult CPR Review, Seattle office   31 CPR/First Aid class, Bremerton Youth Community Disaster Education, Bremerton  Workplace Preparedness, Issaquah First Aid, Seattle office Adult, Child, Infant CPR/First Aid, Seattle office Fundamentals of Instructor Training, Bremerton office