For more than a century, the American Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to large and small disasters. Families and communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need.

Each year during the month of March we formally recognize the American Red Cross and its essential humanitarian role in our community. We honor the role of the Red Cross in making Maryland 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.

For over 100 years, the Red Cross in Maryland has relied on the everyday heroes who donate time, blood or money, heroes who respond at a moment's notice to provide emergency assistance and comfort to disaster victims, heroes who help Holocaust survivors gain information about loved ones lost during the World War II era, heroes who train and instruct others to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

During 2006 over 2,000 Maryland families received Red Cross assistance after fires, severe weather or floods; 160,000 persons donated blood to save the life of a family member, neighbor, or stranger; and more than 11,000 individuals in Maryland volunteered to teach a Red Cross First Aid/CPR class, to help their neighbors in emergencies, or to teach others how to lead safer lives.

This year we celebrate and acknowledge the commitment of the many heroes of the Red Cross to build a better quality of life in Maryland. For the next 100 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 service to our community.