Letter from Southeast Tennessee Executive Director, Julia Wright - March 2020

Not all heroes wear capes, but some wear a Red Cross vest.  During March — which the president of the United States has proclaimed as American Red Cross Month for more than 75 years — the  American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee celebrates its volunteer heroes and asks others to be a hero too by donating on Red Cross Giving Day (March 25), becoming a volunteer, giving blood or learning skills that save lives. 

Every day, families rely on Red Cross volunteers for urgent relief and hope during crisis. We honor their service during Red Cross Month and ask you to join them to make a difference.   

Volunteers represent more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce and help people every day — often after home fires, which represent most of the disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes in the U.S. Just in the past year, volunteers helped 280 families affected by home fires in the Chattanooga and surrounding areas.  

HOW YOU CAN BE A HERO: On March 25, Red Cross Giving Day, donate at redcross.org/givingday to help one family who loses nearly everything to a disaster. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief like food, shelter and other essentials. Donations are key to saving lives because they fund nearly 100 percent of Red Cross disaster relief activities. 

You can also visit redcross.org to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, register for a class in lifesaving skills like CPR and First-Aid, or become a volunteer for opportunities needed in Southeast Tennessee. Our top priority volunteer needs are for Disaster Action Team Members and Home Fire Campaign Volunteers.     

Disaster Action Team Member: When a disaster like a home fire displaces a family from their home, trained volunteers respond to ensure that they don’t face it alone. As part of a team, help local families by wrapping a blanket around their shoulders, addressing urgent their needs like food and a safe place to stay, and connecting them with recovery assistance.  

Home Fire Campaign Volunteer: Want to spend a rewarding day teaming with fellow volunteers to help local families in need? Install free smoke alarms and help residents create home fire escape plans through the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has saved hundreds of lives.  

Sound the Alarm, Save a Life: This event is scheduled for Saturday, April 18.  To get involved you can register to volunteer at soundthealarm.org/Tennessee. I hope you will join us in this important lifesaving mission.