Freeholders Designate March Red Cross Month, Present Emergency Trailer

CREST HAVEN — On Tuesday, March 23, Cape May County freeholders discounted the pouring rain to present an 18-feet-long, tandem axle trailer filled with emergency supplies to the Southern Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Prior to the event, inside, freeholders passed a resolution declaring March as National Red Cross Month. They presented the resolution to Pamela Grites, chapter president, and Ben Maldonado, emergency service and IT manager as well as Ronnie Town, board member.
The trailer, 18 feet long and eight feet wide, will be used for citizen protection during small and large scale emergency events.
It is equipped with an emergency sheltering support system that consists of a canopy, tables, chairs, hand truck, ponchos, megaphone, nurses’ kits, walkie talkies, extension cords, tool kit, radios, rope, gas cans, tarps, water igloos, tripod quartz light, batteries and chargers, generator, 300 cots and 600 blankets.
“The Southern Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross is the primary Shelter Operations Manager in Cape May County for Emergency and Disaster Events. The Red Cross is a great partner with the Cape May County Emergency Management Communications Center and the Municipal Offices of Emergency Management within Cape May County. This trailer will be an asset to their organization during emergencies,” Emergency Management Director Frank McCall stated.
The trailer and its contents cost about $40,000, and were funded through a grant from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Protection with Federal Homeland Security dollars and passed through to the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
The following resolution was passed by the board and presented to Red Cross officials:
WHEREAS, Clara Barton created the American Red Cross in 1881, which was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them; and
WHEREAS, in 1917, when the United States entered World War I, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the American Red Cross to raise funds to support its aid to the military and civilians affected by war, as Congress had mandated. The Red Cross held its first nation War Fund drive in June 1917 and set as its goal $100 million, the public response was immediate and overwhelming. After the War, the Red Cross decided to make the Roll Call and an annual membership and fundraising drive; and
WHEREAS, in November 1941, with war in Europe, the Red Cross conducted a highly successful 25th Annual Roll Call. When the United States entered World War II, the American Red Cross responded immediately by declaring a War Fund campaign and by June 1942, it had raised more than $66 million; and
WHEREAS, in 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the month of March 1943 as American Red Cross month. The Red Cross set a goal of $145 million, and by June 1943, donations totaled nearly $146 million and President Roosevelt called it the greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history. The success compelled the Red Cross to repeat the March drive and to make it the occasion of its annual membership and fundraising effors ever since; and
WHEREAS, the Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most, and we are grateful for the public support that enables them to continue their work, here at home and abroad.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Cape May:
1. March 2010 is designated as Red Cross Month in Cape May County.
2. The Freeholders are respectfully requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this County to observe March as Red Cross month and Increase the public’s awareness of the importance of donating blood, signing up for CPR/First aid courses, giving a financial gifts that can really save the day when the next disaster strikes and getting involved as a volunteer.