MANCHESTER —When climate disasters, blood donation needs, and other emergencies cost lives, local community heroes step forward to care for one another.
This March, the American Red Cross in Northern New England honors those who made its mission possible during the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebrations—a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.
“When help can’t wait during an emergency, Granite Staters come together to provide help and hope to neighbors in need,” said Stephanie Couturier, chief executive officer, Red Cross of Northern New England. “This human spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all the people who made our mission possible during this year’s celebration of Red Cross Month. You can join their commitment by donating, volunteering, donating blood, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”
Participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, donate blood or platelets, volunteer or take classes in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR, and how to use an AED. On March 22nd, you can also join our annual Red Cross Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide affected people with shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance. big and small disasters.
Continuing CLara Barton’s Legacy of Life Saviour Red Cross volunteers, blood and platelet donors and supporters further the legacy of saving Clara Barton – one of the most distinguished women in US history – who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Its vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered: Generation after generation, people have come together to adapt this timeless mission to their community’s most pressing needs.
In 2022, the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Red Cross:
• Supported by 1,135 New Hampshire volunteers who logged 51,941 hours helping those in need;
• Responding to 145 house fires assisting 628 individuals;
• Install 909 free smoke alarms for 638 Granite Staters in need;
• Deployed 24 New Hampshire volunteers for the disaster to Alabama, California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas;
• Enrolled 9,462 people in First Aid/CPR and AED training (FY22);
• Collected 57,450 red blood cell products and 13,170 platelets and held 1,830 community blood donors (FY22).
OUR VOLUNTEERS HELP SAVE LIVES House fires are the Red Cross’ most frequent disaster response. They claim seven lives every day in the US Most often, these tragedies occur in homes without functioning smoke alarms. To help families stay safe, the Red Cross installs free smoke alarms during Ring the Alarm house fire safety events in at-risk communities. On April 15th, our volunteers will be in Rochester, New Hampshire for this one day mass installation event. To register for the event – or to schedule an appointment for free smoke alarm installation any time of year, visit redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE.
PREVENTING BLOOD LACK When volunteer blood and platelet donors reach out this March, they will help keep the blood supply from dropping further this spring. All who turn up to donate blood, platelets, or plasma between March 1-31, 2023, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card via email.* In addition, they will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Prepaid Visa® worth $3,000 Card – which can help with expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners.*
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Rockingham County: Atkinsons: March 24, 1-6 p.m., Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main Street; Brentwood: March 28, 1-5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 201 North Road; Danville: March 10, 2:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Danville Community Center, 169 Main Street; Derry: March 23, 3-7 p.m., Gilbert Hood Middle School, 5 Hood Road, March 30, 2-7 p.m., Derry VFW Post 1617, 18 Railroad Ave.; Epping: March 13, 11am-4pm, American Legion Post 51-Epping, 232 Calef Highway; hampton: March 24, 12-5 p.m., United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road; Kingston: March 20, 12-5:30 p.m., Kingston Community Library, 2 Library Pathway; Londonderry: March 10, 1-5:30 p.m., Orchard Christian Fellowship, 136 Pillsbury Road, March 17, 11am – 4pm, Greater Londonderry YMCA, 206 Rockingham Road; Newington: March 10, 12-5 p.m., Mall at Fox Run, 50 Fox Run Road, March 31, 12-5 p.m., Mall at Fox Run, 50 Fox Run Road; New market: March 31, 2-7 p.m., Newmarket High School, 213 South Main Street; Nottingham: March 14, 2-7 p.m., Nottingham Community Centre, 139 Stage Road; Plaistow: March 28, 1-6:30 p.m., Plaistow Public Library, 85 Main Street; Portsmouth: March 8, 12-16:30, Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage Street, 16 March, 14-19, Portsmouth NH Best Western Plus Wynwood Hotel & Suites, 580 US Hwy 1 Bypass, 20 March, 12-17:30, Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage Street, 23 March, 23 March, 12-5 pm , Senior Activities Center, 125 Cottage Street, March 23, 1-6 pm, Redemption Hill Church, 634 State Street, March 27, 10 am – 3 pm, Piscataqua Savings Bank, 200 Griffin Road Unit 10, March 29, 12 -16 :30, Senior Activity Centre, 125 Cottage Street, 31 March, 12-5pm, Portsmouth Hospital, 333 Borthwick Avenue; Salem: March 11, 10am-3pm, Mary A Fisk Elementary School, 14 Main Street. March 16, 1-7 pm, Bishop Peterson Hall, 37 Main Street, March 30, 11 am – 4 pm, First Congregational Church-Salem, 15 Lawrence Road; small river: March 18, 09.00 – 13.30, Trinity United Church Parish Building, 29 Main Street; Windham: March 23, 11am-4pm, St. Matthew, 2 Searles Road.
