2021-0085
Title
Proclamation: “American Red Cross Month”
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, March is American Red Cross Month, a special time to honor the kindness of our neighbors who aid families in need every day in Louisiana, across the United States, and around the world. Their dedication touches millions of lives each year as they carry out the organization’s 140-year mission of preventing and alleviating suffering; and,
WHEREAS, during the trying times of the coronavirus pandemic, people have stepped up to help others in need, rolling up their sleeves to give blood when our country faced a severe blood shortage; and,
WHEREAS, here in Louisiana, local families have relied on Red Cross volunteers for comfort and hope while coping with disasters like hurricanes, home fires, tornadoes, and winter storms; and,
WHEREAS, last fiscal year, volunteers responded to more than 1,300 fires and educated more than 4,400 youth on preparedness through The Pillowcase Project. These services were also delivered to residents across St. Charles Parish; and,
WHEREAS, in the wake of the historic 2020 hurricane season, more than 3,200 Red Cross volunteers and countless partners worked tirelessly to tend to the needs of those displaced. In that time, the Red Cross and partners provided more than 928,400 overnight stays in emergency hotel lodging, served more than 2 million meals and snacks, distributed more than 230,000 emergency relief items, made nearly 60,000 individual care contacts, and provided nearly 10,000 households with emergency financial assistance; and,
WHEREAS, Red Cross volunteers have supported local families in St. Charles Parish and across the state in other ways too. Last fiscal year, the Red Cross trained nearly 26,000 individuals in critical lifesaving and sustaining skills including first aid, CPR, AED, and water safety. The Service to Armed Forces Hero Care Network provided more than 8,900 services to our military and military connected during pre-deployment, deployment, and when they return home, through emergency communication services, financial assistance programs, re-integration, and veteran services; and,
WHEREAS, nearly 200 years since the birth of the American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, we dedicate this month of March to all those who continue to advance her noble legacy, and we ask others to join in their commitment to care for people in need. This lifesaving work is vital to strengthening our community’s resilience. We could not do this alone, we are thankful for the partnerships with our St. Charles United Way, St. Charles Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, and our parish elected officials who work together to serve the residents of St. Charles Parish.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 2021 AS
“AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH”
IN ST. CHARLES PARISH, AND ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO REACH OUT AND SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATION AND ITS NOBLE HUMANITARIAN MISSION.
MATTHEW JEWELL DICK GIBBS
PARISH PRESIDENT COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III
BOBBY DONALDSON NICKY DUFRENE
COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. A COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
HOLLY FONSECA MARILYN B. BELLOCK
COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE, DIV. B COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT V
LA SANDRA DARENSBOURG GORDON BOB FISHER
COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT I COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
MARY K. CLULEE JULIA FISHER-PERRIER
COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT II COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VII
RED CROSS 2021.PCL