Mayor's Column



Mayor Michael R. Mignogna


At our March 8 meeting, the Voorhees Township Committee declared March as American Red Cross Month.

The American Red Cross fulfills a unique and vital role in our state, our county and here in Voorhees Township, providing help and hope in the face of emergencies and disaster.

For nearly 100 years, Presidents have called on the American people to support the Red Cross and its humanitarian mission. In World War I, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the Red Cross to raise funds to support emergency aid to the military, as mandated by the Red Cross Congressional Charter. At that time, the American Red Cross set a goal of $125 million and in less than six weeks, donations totaled nearly $146 million.

In 1943, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first President to proclaim March as Red Cross Month and called on Americans to "rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross." President Roosevelt's call to action nearly 70 years ago started a tradition of designating March as Red Cross Month, a time to recognize and support the valuable work of the American Red Cross by making a financial contribution, donating blood, taking a life-saving class, or volunteering to help the Red Cross perform its mission.

Every day, through its volunteers and staff here in Camden County, the American Red Cross is there to save the day when disaster strikes or when a neighbor's house burns down. We recently experienced such an event on January 4 of this year when a large fire left many persons homeless at the Echelon Glen Apartments. Camden County Red Cross volunteers were there to help with food, clothing and temporary shelter, working along with the community to help meet needs.

The Red Cross is there when someone needs life-saving blood.

The Red Cross also plays a unique role in connecting military families with their loved ones in the armed services, and provides training in CPR, aquatics safety and first aid. It spreads humanitarian aid and good will to people around the world, as we are witnessing in Haiti after the earthquake. Our communities depend on the American Red Cross and, because it is not a government agency, the Red Cross depends on support from the public to continue its humanitarian work.

For more information about the Camden County Chapter of the American Red Cross or to make a donation, call 856-365-7100 or visit www.camdenredcross.org.

On behalf of the Township of Voorhees, thank you to the American Red Cross for its humanitarian efforts.

**The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation will host its 6th Annual Wine Tasting on Thursday, March 11, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Barry D. Brown Health Education Center on the Virtua Campus located at 106 Carnie Blvd. in Voorhees. Guests can sample over 250 wines, lagers and ales from around the world, accompanied by gourmet delicacies. The Foundation creates Teen Centers in pediatric hospitals for teens with life-threatening illnesses. Tickets can be obtained by calling 856-784-0615 or by e-mail at info@aruf.org.