THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA DESIGNATING

MARCH 2011 AS

AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH

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WHEREAS, the American Red Cross Bay Area was founded in 1898 and is a voluntary agency, chartered and authorized by Congress to act in times of need, providing compassionate assistance to people afflicted by personal, local or national disasters; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross Bay Area helped 1,773 people with temporary housing, clothing, food and mental health counseling during 392 local disasters last year alone; and

WHEREAS, Red Cross volunteers responded to approximately 392 local emergencies last year, providing food, clothing, shelter and mental health support; and

WHEREAS, through Prepare Bay Area initiative and Community Preparedness programs, over 282,000 individuals received training, and last year the American Red Cross Bay Area trained over 143,000 people in lifesaving CPR, first aid and water safety; and

WHEREAS, Red Cross staff deploy with the U.S. military to provide emergency communications, counseling, financial assistance and a caring presence to 1,348 local military families; and

WHEREAS, Red Cross Blood Services support 31 Bay Area hospitals, providing them with more than 134,000 units of red cells, platelets and plasma to patients in need;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County does hereby designate March 2011 as AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH and encourages all residents to be cognizant of the compassion, courage, character, and civic duty that is inherent in the Red Cross mission to prevent and relieve human suffering.

Dated: March 15, 2011

SUPERVISORS: