(Pontiac, Mich.) - With March declared as Red Cross Month nationally, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday proclaimed March 2010 as American Red Cross month in the county, recognizing and thanking the Southeastern Michigan Chapter for its commitment to helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“The qualities of life upon which we pride ourselves in Oakland County are, in part, demonstrated by the commitment and dedication of special organizations like the American Red Cross,” said Bill Bullard, Jr., Oakland County Commissioners chairperson, at the board of commissioners meeting, before presenting the proclamation to James Laverty, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross.

Every year since 1943, the President of the United States issues a proclamation that designates March as Red Cross Month. The tradition began when Franklin D. Roosevelt appealed to the American public to assist the Red Cross during World War II.

The Oakland County Commissioners followed President Barack Obama’s lead, recognizing the Red Cross for its role in Oakland County, throughout the nation and around the world in sheltering, feeding and providing emotional support to victims of disasters, supplying a majority of the nation’s blood supply, teaching lifesaving skills, and supporting military members and their families.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners acknowledged the Southeastern Michigan Chapter for preparing local residents for medical emergencies, citing the fact that last year, the Red Cross certified 47,762 Oakland, Macomb and Wayne county residents in First Aid/CPR/AED, as well as 76,176 residents in water safety skills.

Similarly, he recognized the Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross for supplying a majority of the blood supply in southeast Michigan, providing blood to 43 hospitals in the region.

Board of Commissioner Chairperson Bullard also recognized the Southeastern Michigan Chapter for providing humanitarian aid to an average of four home fires a day in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, providing the families with temporary food, clothing and shelter to help them rebuild after their losses.

The Southeastern Michigan Chapter was also acknowledged for supporting military personnel and their families, helping them cope with the stresses of deployment as service members help fight terrorism a world away.

Further, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross was recognized for supporting international relief efforts, to help rush immediate aid to countries rocked by disaster, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, where the Red Cross will continue providing aid for years to come.

About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter

The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in the tri-county area: relief to disaster victims, support to military personnel (both active and veteran) and their families, and the knowledge and skills to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. As part of the international Red Cross network, we are dedicated to protecting human life and dignity locally, nationally and worldwide. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.

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Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Bullard, Jr. reads a Proclamation declaring March 2010 as American Red Cross Month in Oakland County, before presenting it to James Laverty, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross. Deborah Macon (left), Ambassador for the Southeastern Michigan Chapter, and Nancy Scarlet, Board Member of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter and Human Resources Director for Oakland County, also look on.

Contact

Andrea Tomaszewski

313-494-2740 or

313-350-1434