The City Council showed support for President George Bush’s
declaration of March as American Red Cross Month with its own
proclamation Monday.
The City Council showed support for President George Bush’s declaration of March as American Red Cross Month with its own proclamation Monday.
Mayor Brian Conroy announced March 2003 as American Red Cross Month in Hollister. The distinction comes one month after the announcement of its latest national campaign – “Together We Prepare.”
The proclamation signed by Conroy states several reasons why the Red Cross deserves the distinction, which includes some impressive statistics locally. In 2002, more than 500 volunteers supported the San Benito County chapter in teaching almost 2,500 people CPR and first aid, 173 people in disaster education and assisting 10 families affected by disasters.
Katheryn Engelhard, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter, said the March designation and “Together We Prepare” may stem from, but do not solely relate to, the current military tensions abroad.
“It’s just more getting prepared (for disaster) than anything,” she said.
The campaign includes five steps: making a disaster plan, building a disaster kit, getting trained in first aid and CPR, volunteering and giving blood.
“Whether it’s Red Cross or another organization, we want to make the community stronger,” Engelhard said. “We want everybody to volunteer.”
The local chapter is holding several programs during March, including a dinner at the end of the month with foster parents and a “bowling bash” for volunteers.
For more information about activities or Together We Prepare, call the Red Cross at 636-2100.
