Red Cross Month proclaimed

BATON ROUGE – Within the month of March, each parish council or police jury within the 10-parish area will sign a proclamation recognizing March as American Red Cross Month, a tradition dating back to 1943 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the first such proclamation.

This year the Red Cross is taking time in March to focus on the volunteers and employees who demonstrate such compassion and generosity by supporting the Red Cross in your communities and around the country.

“The Red Cross wants to thank the citizens of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes for supporting us, and for issuing this proclamation in honor of March as Red Cross Month,” said Vic Howell, CEO of the local chapter of the American Red Cross. “We are proud to be the place where everyday people can do extraordinary things, and we hope our entire community will continue to support us so that we can continue to offer lifesaving services every day.”

In the past year, the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 452 local emergencies, provided nearly 1,000 services to military families, and trained 12,393 people in lifesaving skills.

To learn how to help, contact the local American Red Cross at 225-291-4533 or email info@batonrouge.redcross.org.