Red Cross Month
The Historic Virginia Chapter urges preparedness during Red Cross Month:
Ninety-six percent of Americans agree that it’s important to prepare for a disaster, but only seven percent have taken the necessary steps to do so according to recent American Red Cross polling*. This March during Red Cross Month the Historic Virginia Chapter is encouraging residents of the Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and Lynchburg areas to take three simple actions to get “Red Cross Ready” for disasters and other emergencies: 1) Get a kit, 2) Make a plan and 3) Be informed.
“Taking these basic preparedness actions can better prepare you for a variety of disasters from a power outage to a hurricane,” said Victoria Johnson. “During Red Cross Month as we honor the volunteers, donors and supporters who help make our community a safer place to live, work and play, we invite everyone will join us in our mission by getting better prepared.”
A free, online education module is available at www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady, to guide users through the three action steps. It includes a downloadable disaster supplies kit shopping list, emergency contact card, and instructions for creating a family disaster plan. Brochures and community presentations can be ordered by contacting the Historic Virginia Chapter toll free at 1-800-625-6680 or by emailing us here.
* Harris Interactive, on-line survey of 2563 respondents, fielded April 10-16, 2007, with a margin of error of +/-2% and Wirthlin Worldwide’s National Quorum of 1,001 adult Americans over the age of 18, June 4 - 7, 2004, Margin of error + 3.1 percentage point
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.