You may have heard that March is American Red Cross Month. As one of the nation's best-known humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to large and small disasters for 127 years. Families and communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, yet the Red Cross depends on the support of the American people to help sustain the foundation.

Each year during the month of March, we formally recognize the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross and its essential humanitarian role in our community and the role of the chapter making Monmouth and Ocean counties a better place.

This year we focus on the spirit of the volunteers, donors, partners and employees who support the Red Cross mission of humanitarianism.

This year we dedicate Red Cross Month to our dedicated volunteers: our hometown heroes. We celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of the many heroes of the Jersey Coast Chapter for their contribution to building a better quality of life in our two-county region.

For the next 127 years and beyond, the Red Cross will meet the needs of the public by fostering volunteers who are professional, prepared and committed to continuing the tradition of providing supreme service delivery to our community.

For more than 90 years, the Red Cross in Monmouth and Ocean counties has relied on the everyday heroes who donate time, blood or money; heroes who help coordinate blood drives; heroes who trained more than 41,000 residents in disaster response; heroes in our youth program who are being developed as leaders and assist in blood drives and disaster response. The Jersey Coast Chapter is one of more than 700 chapters across the country who tirelessly serve their community.

In the past year alone, we responded to 71 local emergencies, assisted 568 military families and trained more than 47,000 people in lifesaving skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Red Cross volunteers are the core of the Red Cross, donating their time and energy to selflessly serve those in need, demonstrating the compassion and generosity for which Americans are known.

The Red Cross is the organization in the community that many rely on for help, comfort, advice and compassion. On behalf of the Jersey Coast Chapter, I thank you for any donation, whether it be your time, money or blood, that you can make to help us continue our service to those in need. Thank you for your support.

Bill Murray

CEO

American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter

Tinton Falls