AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills issued a proclamation recognizing March as Red Cross Month to honor the compassion and dedication of people who serve communities through Maine.
“The American Red Cross aspires to turn compassion into action, and Mainers – American Red Cross volunteers – help each other when we are in need,” Mills said in the proclamation. “Because of the American Red Cross’s work, children and youth in Maine know how to prepare for and stay safe during a disaster, people have working smoke alarms and emergency escape plans, and there are always trained individuals nearby ready to use their skills to save lives. I urge all citizens to recognize the tremendous contributions that the Red Cross and its volunteers make in Maine each and every day.”
Read the full proclamation from the Office of Gov. Janet T. Mills: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2025-02-red-cross-month-march.
During its annual Red Cross Month celebration, the Red Cross honors the people who deliver support when help can’t wait — including volunteers who comprise 90 percent of its national workforce, generous blood, platelet, and financial donors, and other supporters who power its lifesaving mission.
“Red Cross Month is a special time to recognize our neighbors who step up to care for each other,” said Stephanie Couturier, regional CEO, Red Cross of Northern New England. “Across Maine, these community heroes provide a beacon of hope in people’s darkest hours, whether it’s comforting a family after a disaster, donating vital blood for hospital patients, saving a life with skills like first aid and CPR, or supporting military and veteran families. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, join us to help ensure no one faces an emergency alone.”
Visit redcross.org to make a financial donation, schedule time to give blood, volunteer or take a class. Financial gifts made on March 26 will be part of our annual Giving Day to help people affected by disasters big and small across the country. In addition, the Red Cross is expanding its health offerings to include free A1C testing (commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes) on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations March 1-31. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/March for full details.
In Maine, the Red Cross has more than 600 active volunteers, who, on average, log more than 55,000 hours a year providing care and comfort to Mainers in need. Last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 250 home fires across the state and installed nearly 1,000 free smoke alarms in Maine homes. The Red Cross collected nearly 43,000 lifesaving blood products and held more than 1,900 blood drives. The Red Cross trained more than 11,600 Mainers in first aid, CPR and AED skills – and provided nearly 1,500 services to military members, veterans, and their families.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
