Washington
District of Columbia
American Red Cross Crossnotes - May 2023
Health and Fitness
May 9, 2023
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month and Memorial Day
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to increase knowledge of and visibility around mental health. It’s also a moment to show our support for those experiencing mental health challenges.
The American Red Cross provides compassionate care from licensed professionals in the aftermath of devastating disasters and other emergencies. Even when the immediate danger has passed, disasters can have lasting emotional impacts that can lead to grief, anger, fear or hopelessness. That’s why the Red Cross is proud to partner with over 3,000 mental health volunteers who work to support individuals after devastating events. In the last year, we've deployed over 500 Disaster Mental Health volunteers who connected with thousands of people to offer emotional support and comfort.
If you’re a mental health professional looking to support communities and individuals across the country facing the stress and trauma of a disaster, please consider volunteering with the Red Cross.
Volunteers needed!
Red Cross volunteers offer support and care during dark and difficult times, bringing comfort and hope when people need it most. Everyone has something unique to offer, and we want to help you find your place in our organization. Find the position best fit for you and apply today!
Honoring Those Who Serve this Memorial Day
This Memorial Day, we come together to remember, respect and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For over 140 years, the American Red Cross has been honored to provide unwavering support to our troops and their families. Today, we continue to provide nearly 550,000 services to members of the military and veterans every year.
Your generous support has made it possible for us to make a difference in the lives of American military members and their loved ones. Read more about how you can help support Service to the Armed Forces.
Your Help is Needed this Trauma Awareness Month
Did you know that May is Trauma Awareness Month? Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of death in people under age 45 and result in 150,000 deaths annually. According to the National Trauma Institute, trauma accounts for approximately 41 million emergency department visits and 2.3 million hospital admissions in the U.S. annually. That’s why, this month, the Red Cross is urging all eligible donors to help ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients in need by coming in to donate. As thanks, those who give blood May 1-19 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice!*
It’s a small token that symbolizes the much larger impact your one donation can have in the lives of multiple patients. Sign up to donate now!
New “I AM” Campaign Aims to Recruit Lifeguards
Red Cross Training Services is proud to announce a new campaign to help recruit more lifeguards. The new "I AM" campaign promotes positive role models who have stepped up to become lifeguards and the benefits these positions offer. Look for this campaign at a pool near you. Click here to learn more today!
Tiffany Circle Summit
You’re invited! This October 6-7 is the Tiffany Circle Summit, where there will be in-person and virtual opportunities to celebrate the Tiffany Circle’s extraordinary impact, and engage in the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. The Summit provides an opportunity to create friendships with other donors from across the nation and around the world, and inspires effective volunteerism and philanthropy through the lens of the Tiffany Circle.
The Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging and embracing women locally, nationally and internationally.
Location: Washington, D.C. and select virtual opportunities.
Register today at tiffanycircle.org.
Join the 15 Mile Swim Challenge Today!
Calling all swimmers! Dive into action this June: help save lives and bring relief to those in need by joining the 15 Mile Swim Challenge hosted by the Red Cross and sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt. Join the Facebook group for community and motivation, and to start a fundraiser. Participants who raise $200 or more will receive a Red Cross beach towel and sweetFrog tote bag.
Contact [email protected] with questions.
WHY I GIVE…
Meet Military Veteran and Volunteer Harold West
“This component of the job is near and dear to my heart because of my own experience in Vietnam.”
Harold West joined the Army right after high school and was introduced to the Red Cross during his service when his brother-in-law passed away. Just recently, West’s story came full circle as he deployed to Romania on behalf of the Red Cross as a member of Team 50 — a unit of 21 Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) personnel. Now that he’s retired, he plans to volunteer his time and help the next generation of soldiers. Learn more about West and read his story here.
Coinstar
Thank you to our partner, Coinstar. Did you know you can donate your spare coins to the Red Cross at a Coinstar® kiosk through Coinstar’s “Coins That Count” donation program? A list of the 16,800 machines that can accept donations to the Red Cross can be found here: www.coinstar.com.
Get access to decades of Red Cross knowledge at your fingertips! Download our FREE mobile apps today and get the tools and preparedness information that you need. Available on App Store® or Google Play™.
Get more of the latest Red Cross news
- Water Safety Month: Build Confidence in the Water for Life
- Home Fire Campaign Helps Save 1,700+ Lives
- Military Appreciation Month: Meet Three Red Cross Volunteers Supporting the Military
Make a monthly donation and receive a special Red Cross Pin as our way of saying thanks!
May is a special time of year that is filled with wonderful celebrations and important commemorations — from graduations and weddings, to Mother’s Day festivities and Military Appreciation Month.
Of course, this month we also take time to reflect on and honor the sacrifices of American’s fallen service members as we observe Memorial Day. Here at the American Red Cross, our founder — Clara Barton — was known as the Angel of the Battlefield for her efforts to provide nursing care and supplies to soldiers during the Civil War. Today, our organization is proud and humbled to continue Clara’s legacy of support for the military community. From the day our service members enlist to when they navigate their lives as veterans, the Red Cross is there for them and their families each step of the way.
This essential work is only possible because of the dedication of our compassionate Red Cross supporters and volunteers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping us stand with our brave men and women in uniform.
-- Gail McGovern
President and CEO
American Red Cross
Click Here for more information.