The American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter and the Qwest Foundation are teaming up to celebrate March as “Red Cross Month.”In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared March “Red Cross Month,” and every year since each president has issued a similar proclamation, according to the news release.Red Cross disaster volunteer training is funded, in part, by a grant from Qwest. The $275,000 grant covers, “Introduction to Disaster Training,” for all Red Cross volunteers in Qwest’s 14-state service area. That contribution was made through the philanthropic arm of Qwest, the Qwest Foundation.”Qwest is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where customers live and work, and we are proud of our relationship with the American Red Cross,” said Ric Padilla, vice president of corporate social responsibility. “What better time to remind our communities of Qwest’s support of the vital work of the Red Cross than in March; Red Cross Month.””Qwest truly delivers … with their help, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, (we) were able to recruit and train countless new disaster volunteers,” said David Just, CEO of the Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter.Stats on Red Cross help:More than 70,000 disasters create victims each year who are helped through the Red Cross.The Red Cross maintains almost 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees in 900 chapters and 181 national societies.About 4 million people give blood each year through the Red Cross. connected.An average of 91 cents of each dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.Contributions to the American Red Cross may be sent to American Red Cross Pikes Peak Chapter at 1040 S. 8th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
