Today, March 09, 2020, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. proclaimed the month of March as “American Red Cross Month” in the Bronx.
Borough President Diaz met with Susan Rounds, interim CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater NY and the American Red Cross Bronx Disaster Action Team to present the official proclamation in front of The Bronx County Building.
“The volunteers of the American Red Cross Bronx Disaster Action Team provide essential support for members of our community in their times of greatest need, they are our local heroes,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. “When they are called to the scene of an emergency situation, it’s personal, because many of these team members are local Bronx residents themselves. It’s a true case of neighbors helping neighbors.”
March is known annually as national Red Cross Month. It was first established in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission, with every U.S. president since following in the tradition.
“At the Red Cross, we are proud to support families coping with the devastating impacts of disasters large and small. And we are committed to helping make our communities safer and more prepared. Thank you, Borough President Reuben Diaz, for taking to time to recognize our Bronx volunteers teams and for being such a dedicated partner,” said Susan Rounds, Interim CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater NY.
The American Red Cross brings urgent relief to Bronx residents impacted by disasters and has a workforce powered by more than 90 percent volunteers. In 2019 the organization helped more than 3,000 Bronx residents impacted by 400+ incidents like fires, building collapses and vacates.
In addition to their emergency response work, The Red Cross also helps keep Bronx communities safe by installing free smoke alarms in area homes and teaching families about emergency preparedness.
To view more photographs from the event, please visit here.
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