Backup Documents 03/27/2012 Item # 4Bl48
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross, founded in 1881 by Clara Barton and officially chartered
by Congress in 1900 to provide national and international relief during disasters,
relief to the military and to serve as a means of communication between members of
the Armed Forces and their families, and,
WHEREAS, the Red Cross has expanded its services to include community services for the
needy, support and comfort for military members and their families, the collection,
processing and distribution of blood. educational programs that promote health and
safety; and international relief and development programs, and,
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year in this
country, providing food, shelter, emotional support and other necessities to those
affected; and,
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross collects and distributes more than 409 of the nation's blood
supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other
life- saving skills each year and,
WHEREAS, in 2011, across the state of Florida, the American Red Cross helped more than
4, 000 families with emergency needs following a disaster, assisted nearly 15, 000
military families and trained more than 500, 000 people in life- saving skills. and,
WHEREAS, "American Red Cross Month, " first proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in
1943, reminds everyone of the work that the American Red Cross does across the
country and around the globe.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
Florida, that March 2012 be designated as
AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 27th Day of March 2012.
IRWIN'
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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