In March we celebrate the American Red Cross. Franklin Roosevelt began this tradition more than 70 years ago. It is a time to honor the many services provided by the American Red Cross and the hard-working employees and volunteers that help to make the organization what it is today. It also gives us an opportunity to explore the different ways we can contribute to their efforts.

The American Red Cross was founded back in 1881 by Clara Barton. Clara was a teacher by profession and a true humanitarian. During the Civil War, she became very active assisting sick and wounded soldiers. She collected and distributed medical and personal supplies to the soldiers in hospitals and on the battlefields.

Clara was first introduced to the Red Cross while visiting Europe. She was very impressed with the organization and services they provided to those in need. When she returned to the United States she worked diligently to establish the American Red Cross and led this organization for more than 23 years.

Today, more than 130 years later, the American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. They list their five main service areas as: people affected by disaster in America; support for members of the military and their families; blood collection, processing and distribution; health and safety education and training; and international relief and development.

Each year in the United States alone the American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters, assists more than 150,000 military families, and more than 9 million people attend their educational health and safety classes.

For more information on the activities and efforts of the American Red Cross check out Madison College Libraries electronic resources.

A good starting point might be Newspaper Source Plus, located in the database section. Here you will find a collection of articles from more than 1,500 newspapers.

Please check with staff if you need assistance with database navigation. As always, you can access this information remotely by using your Madison College username and password.

The American Red Cross relies heavily on community support through financial donations, blood donations and volunteering. At the Reedsburg Campus the Student Nurses Association will be assisting the American Red Cross by sponsoring a blood drive in March.

If you would like more information about The American Red Cross and ways you can help, please visit their website at www.redcross.org.  As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”