Red Cross honors local community heroes

Feb. 28—TOLEDO — As climate disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies upend lives, local community heroes are stepping up to care for one another.

This March, the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

"When help can't wait during emergencies, people in northern Ohio rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need," said Mike Parks, Regional CEO. "This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year's Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course."

Participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. On March 22, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

CONTINUING CLARA BARTON'S LIFESAVING LEGACY

Today's Red Cross volunteers, blood and platelet donors and supporters are advancing the lifesaving legacy of Clara Barton — one of the most honored women in U.S. history — who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered: Generation after generation, people have come together to adapt this timeless mission for their communities' most urgent needs.

JOIN A REWARDING DAY OF GIVING BACK

Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross, which is also working to help families stay safe by installing free smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm home fire safety events in at-risk communities. Volunteers are needed for events occurring April 22 to May 6 in northern Ohio — register and learn more at redcross.org/noh.

PREVENT A BLOOD SHORTAGE

When volunteer blood and platelet donors lend an arm this March, they'll help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2023, will receive a $10 Visa Prepaid Card by email. Plus, they'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card — which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners. (Terms for both offers apply. Visit rcblood.org/help for details).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 1 to 31

Huron County

Bellevue

3/9/2023: Noon to 5 p.m., Bellevue VFW Post 1238, 6104 Ohio 20E

Greenwich

3/28/2023: 1 to 7 p.m., The Ripley Church, 4130 Edwards Road

Monroeville

3/3/2023: Noon to 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 121 Broad St.

New London

3/9/2023: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., New London High School, 1 Wildcat Dr.

Norwalk

3/8/2023: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eagles, 151 Cline St.

3/20/2023: 1:30 to 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 60 W. Main St.

3/24/2023: Noon to 4:30 p.m., Fisher-Titus Medical Center, 272 Benedict Ave.

Plymouth

3/16/2023: 1 to 6 p.m., Plymouth Village Community Building, 48 W. Broadway

3/20/2023: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Plymouth High School, 400 Trux St.

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Seneca County

Attica

3/1/2023: 1 to 6 p.m., Attica Fair Grounds, 15127 East Twp. Road. 12

Fostoria

3/31/2023: Noon to 5 p.m., ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, 501 Van Buren St.

Kansas

3/21/2023: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Lakota High School, 5200 Sandusky County Road 13

New Riegel

3/22/2023: Noon to 5:30 p.m., New Riegel Schools, 44 N. Perry St.

Tiffin

3/11/2023: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., National Machinery, 161 Greenfield St.

3/16/2023: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tiffin Moose Lodge, 1146 N Ohio 53

3/17/2023: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Heidelberg University, 44 Greenfield St, Campus Center

3/21/2023: Noon to 6 p.m., Tiffin VFW Post 2858, 345 Twp. Road 91

3/30/2023: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mercy Health-Tiffin Hospital, 45 Saint Lawrence Dr.