St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates community support while encouraging preparedness

St. Louis, Thursday, March 1, 2007 - President Bush signed a Proclamation declaring March as National Red Cross Month, encouraging Americans to prepare for disasters and emergencies by embracing lifesaving American Red Cross training. During National Red Cross Month, the Red Cross announces that it has made preparedness easier than ever through its new Be Red Cross Ready program, which streamlines the process into three easy steps:

1.  Get a Kit - Plan to have at least three days of supplies in an easy-to-carry evacuation kit, with additional supplies on hand. Supplies include water, non-perishable and high protein food items, a First Aid Kit, medications, and a battery-operated radio. A kit should be checked every six months in order to replace supplies as necessary. In addition to taking this kit with you in an evacuation, it can also be used to shelter-in-place.

2.  Make a Plan - Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to disaster. Establish responsibilities for each family member and choose two places to meet following a disaster - directly outside the home (if an incident happens while the family is home) and outside the neighborhood (if the family is away from home during an incident and cannot return, or the family is ordered to evacuate by emergency officials). Families should practice their emergency plan at least twice a year.

3.  Be Informed - Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur locally and identify how local authorities will notify the public with important instructions. It is important to seek lifesaving training in First Aid and CPR so that people are ready to lend a hand in an emergency situation.

"Red Cross Month is a perfect time to personally invest in making our community as safe as it can possibly be," said Joseph C. White, CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "The Red Cross is here to help make this process simple, and we look forward to helping our neighbors get ready for the unexpected."

The American Red Cross also celebrates Red Cross Month by giving thanks to the public for their generous donations of time, money and blood throughout the year. Because of this support, the St. Louis Area Chapter has been able to serve the metropolitan area for the past 90 years and touches the community more than 410,000 times each year.

In the past year alone, the St. Louis Area Chapter has provided lifesaving First Aid and CPR training to 85,000 local residents, reached 72,000 through emergency preparedness curriculum, and trained 42,000 in water safety. In addition, 6,300 military personnel and families were assisted through Armed Forces Emergency Services, 3,700 St. Louisans were educated in Red Cross international services, 1,700 blood drives were staffed with Red Cross volunteers, and 1,100 local families received emergency assistance after losing their homes to fire. At the core of all of this outreach are Red Cross volunteers who donate their time and energy to selflessly serve those in need, demonstrating the compassion and generosity for which Americans are known.

"The American Red Cross is not a government agency," said White. "The St. Louis Area Chapter relies on the generosity of the local community to support our relief services for families affected by disasters, and to prepare and train families to prevent and respond to emergencies. When you help the Red Cross, you help America and our neighbors right here in the metropolitan area."

For More Information:
To learn more about National Red Cross Month, preparing for disasters and emergencies, or how to make a contribution in support of the Red Cross mission, please call 314.516.2800 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.

About the Presidential Proclamation:
President George W. Bush signed the following Proclamation declaring March as Red Cross Month:

"The American Red Cross demonstrates the power of human compassion and embodies the capacity for kindness and generosity of this great Nation. This month, we honor the men and women of the American Red Cross who exhibit the spirit and character of America by serving others in need.

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has helped millions of individuals overcome the effects of natural disasters and emergencies by providing shelter, food, counseling, and other assistance. It plays an important role in our communities by helping maintain our country's blood supply, offering programs for youth and the elderly, supporting members of the military and their families, and promoting health and emergency preparedness. This inspiring organization helps improve the lives of those in need and continues to assist in the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast.

The humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross extends around the world. My Administration is proud to work with it to support efforts to combat malaria, measles, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases that affect millions of people each year in Africa and throughout the world. The American Red Cross is committed to helping improve the prevention and treatment of diseases and is working to strengthen community health programs in developing areas of the world. These efforts help save lives and show the strength and generosity of America.

We are grateful for the tireless work of the volunteers and staff of the American Red Cross. During this month, we pay tribute to this remarkable organization and all those who have answered the call to serve a cause greater than self and offered support and healing in times of need.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America and Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2007 as American Red Cross Month. I commend the good work of the American Red Cross, and I encourage all Americans to help make our world a better place by volunteering their time, energy, and talents for others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first."

GEORGE W. BUSH

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

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