Well, here is an interesting bit of Red Cross history. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the American Red Cross to raise funds to aid the military and bring help to civilians affected by war. At that time, the American Red Cross set a goal of $125 million and in less than six weeks donations totaled nearly $146 million. This success encouraged the Red Cross to repeat the March drive during the remaining years of the war and to make it the occasion for annual membership and fundraising. In 1943, as the honorary chairman of the Red Cross, President Roosevelt was the first president to declare March as Red Cross Month. Each year since 1943, the President of the United States has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month.

Following this tradition, during the month of March, the Willamette Chapter holds its Annual Giving Campaign to raise the funds so very necessary to continue our work right here in our own communities. We also use this opportunity to talk to our friends and neighbors about the importance of our work If you are interested in helping us by making a contribution to our Annual Giving Campaign.

Finally, please remember to forward your Real Hero nominations for recognition at our Real Heroes Breakfast before the May 1st deadline. You can mail your nomination form to us, e-mail it to us or call us at 503-585-5414 and we will make sure your Hero nomination is included for consideration.

No one can predict when or where the next disasters will strike, but we know that they will. The mission of the Willamette Chapter remains the same: to help our community prevent prepare for and respond to emergencies. Thank you volunteers – our heroes.