March is Red Cross Month

Putnam County Commissioners (front) Kristina Warren, Gene Beck and Jim Baird met with Red Cross representatives (back) A. J. Hacker, Kathie Skeel, Ginger Scott, Tracy Maynard and Mike Welsh with Sounds Unlimited. They signed a proclamation declaring March as Red Cross Month in Putnam County.

Putnam County Commissioners signed a proclamation Monday honoring the Putnam County Unit of the Wabash Valley American Red Cross for its essential humanitarian role in the county and declaring March Red Cross month in Putnam County.

"We are grateful for the tireless work of the volunteers and employees of the Putnam County Unit and 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," says the Decree.

Every day, Red Cross volunteers and employees, with the help of generous donors in Putnam County, provide essential services to the people in their community.

For more than 92 years, county residents have relied on the expertise of the American Red Cross in disaster relief. Each year, this unit responds to an estimated 25 disasters including house or apartment fires and other natural and human caused disasters.

In 2008, the Red Cross helped the local citizens of the Wabash Valley by obligating over $480,000.00 for flood victims, distributing over 33,000 meals and providing victims with needs such as groceries, clothing, short-term lodging, and personal health needs.

This unit makes every effort to save lives long before tragedy strikes by helping individuals and entire communities learn to prepare for disasters. It prepares people to save lives through first aid and CPR training, water safety, and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Over the past year, nearly 835 people have enrolled in American Red Cross Health and Safety Courses in Putnam County.

The American Red Cross is entrusted with providing volunteer aid in time of war to the sick and wounded of the armed forces. Staff members deploy with Armed Forces to provide emergency communications and a caring presence to service men and women separated from their families.

The Putnam County Unit has sent 14 emergency messages to active duty personnel and their families.