Aroostook County branch manager
In 1943, President Franklin Roosevelt, honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, was the first President to declare March as Red Cross Month. Each year since then, the President of the United States proclaims March as American Red Cross Month. This gives the Red Cross an opportunity to promote its services and celebrate its successes in serving communities across the United States. The Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter heralds the enduring spirit of the American Red Cross – channeled through an extended family of volunteers, donors, partners and employees who help to fulfill the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross.
All year long we are grateful for the tireless work of the volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross, and during the entire month of March we have the opportunity to honor and thank the members of our Red Cross family. We also have a chance to remind people that the Red Cross is where Americans can make a difference.
Each year, Aroostook County Red Cross staff and volunteers respond to an estimated 35 disasters including house and apartment fires, storms, and other natural and human-caused disasters. We celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the many local heroes for their role in helping to build a better quality of life for our community.
Red Cross staff members and volunteers provide emergency communications and a caring presence to service men and women separated from their families. Your local office typically responds to an Armed Forces Emergency Service communication case at least once a week.
Through preparedness, your local Red Cross makes every effort to save lives before tragedy strikes by helping individuals and communities learn to prepare for disasters through no cost training. Locally, your Red Cross also provides Health & Safety trainings at an affordable cost to individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations. Nearly 2,500 Aroostook County citizens enrolled in training courses last year that range from first aid/CPR to water safety to baby sitting — learning life saving skills.
Locally, our branch office does not organize and provide blood drives. Our trained bio-medical team in Bangor travels the state to host blood drives throughout the year. However, these urgently needed drives provides a bridge between more than 4 million generous blood donors and millions of patients across America who need life-saving blood.
You are invited to become part of your local American Red Cross team by volunteering, donating funds, or by giving blood. Volunteers give any where from 2 to 10 hours a month of their time and all training is free. Monetary donations arrive in all amounts ranging from $2.00 up to hundreds of dollars—every dollar counts toward providing immediate disaster relief to local individuals and families. And -blood is always needed—any and all of these efforts help to save lives.
For more information about becoming a part of the American Red Cross team, please call 493-4620 or stop by our new office at 111 High Street in Caribou. Remember, together — we can save a life!
