Title
Proclamation Declaring March 2018 as American Red Cross Month. (City Manager 2110)
Body
Proclamation
Whereas, the American Red Cross, a leading voluntary agency chartered and authorized by Congress to act in times of need, provides compassionate assistance to people afflicted by personal, local or national disasters; and
Whereas, across the country and around the world, the American Red Cross responds to disasters big and small. It collects about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply; provides 24-hour support to military members, veterans and their families; teaches millions lifesaving skills such as lifeguarding and CPR; and through its Restoring Family Links program, connects family members separated by crisis, conflict or migration. People have counted on the Red Cross for information and skills they need to be safe at home, at work, at school and at play. Last year, the American Red Cross Bay Area trained 83,203 people in lifesaving CPR, First Aid, and water safety; and
Whereas, the Red Cross has a long history of helping their neighbors in need. The American Red Cross in Alameda County assisted with 219 local fire disasters in the past year and assisted 669 families. They installed 430 smoke alarms and reached 1,350 students through their Pillowcase Project. They trained 15,903 in First Aid, CPR, AED and Water Safety. The Red Cross assisted over 1,000 families in their Services to Armed Forces program. They collected 29,587 blood donations from generous blood donors. The American Red Cross Bay Area helped 1,777 families with temporary housing, clothing, food and mental health counseling during 681 local disasters last year alone; and
Whereas, in 2017, the American Red Cross saw a record-breaking year of challenging domestic and international response efforts. Through the support of its volunteers, in just 45 days, the Red Cross responded to six of the largest and most complex disasters of 2017, including back-to-back hurricanes, the deadliest week of wildfires in California history, and the horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas. In addition, the Red Cross responded to nearly 50,000 home fires in 2017, providing casework assistance to help 76,000 families recover; and
Whereas, March is American Red Cross Month, a special time to recognize and thank the Red Cross volunteers and donors who give their time and resources to help members of the community. The Red Cross depends on these local heroes to deliver help and hope during a disaster and we applaud our heroes here in Alameda who give of themselves to assist their neighbors when they need a helping hand. We thank the Alameda Red Cross for coming to the aid of Alameda Point businesses and residents during a water quality issue last year; and
Whereas, we dedicate the month of March to all those who support the American Red Cross’s mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Our community depends on the American Red Cross, which relies on donations of time, money and blood to fulfill its humanitarian mission.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Trish Herrera Spencer, Mayor of the City of Alameda, do hereby proclaim March 2018 as
American Red Cross Month
in the City of Alameda and urge Alameda residents to thank the American Red Cross heroes who volunteer their time, give blood, take life-saving courses, provide financial support, and reach out to those in need on a daily basis.
Trish Herrera Spencer
Mayor