Get prepared during Red Cross Month

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a proclamation in 1943 designating March to be Red Cross Month and every president thereafter has followed.

This year's theme for Red Cross Month is preparedness. Being "Red Cross ready" consists of five basic steps: make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood.

"This designated month celebrates what the Red Cross does to assist people," said Ms. Cornelia Krebs-Plummer, station manager for Misawa Red Cross.

The Red Cross works around the clock to aid in disaster relief, provide blood and blood products to victims, and aid in emergency communications.

"Emergency communications is the primary use for U.S. military members," said Ms. Krebs-Plummer. "We are able to notify families of births, deaths and other happenings from across the globe because servicemembers can't be there," she said.

Misawa's Red Cross division has set up numerous activities during the month to include information booths and CPR classes.

A fundraiser called "a pie in the face" is also being set up. Personnel can vote for who they want to receive a pie in the face by placing money in a jar with that person's name on it.

"Whichever person has the most money donated to their jar, will get the pie in the face," said Ms. Krebs-Plummer.

Volunteers are a large part of the Red Cross organization. Anyone looking to volunteer for Red Cross will have to attend the volunteer orientation held once a month for about an hour a day.

"We are always looking for people," said Ms. Krebs-Plummer. "People who want to volunteer at the hospital attend another type of orientation but it lasts about the same time."

For more information about Misawa's Red Cross or volunteer information, call 226-3016.

Please see attached flyer for Red Cross activities in March