The City of Ottawa has joined other municipalities across Canada in proclaiming March is Red Cross Month. Each year, the Red Cross celebrates “March is Red Cross Month” by raising awareness about the contributions the organization makes to the communities it serves.

Here in Ottawa, the Red Cross assisted more than 300 people while responding to 65 personal disasters (including house fires, floods, and other personal disasters) over the past year, thanks to the support and dedication of our volunteers and staff. Personal disaster assistance is one example of our many dedicated programs and services delivered by the Canadian Red Cross in Ottawa.

To recognize March is Red Cross month, an official proclamation ceremony and flag raising with Mayor Jim Watson will take place on Friday March 8, at 9:30 a.m. ET at Ottawa City Hall. Mayor Watson will officially proclaim March is Red Cross Month.

Event: “March is Red Cross Month”, Official Proclamation Ceremony and Flag Raising with Mayor Jim Watson.

Date: Friday, March 8, 2013

Time: 9:30 a.m. ET

Location: Ottawa City Hall, Festival Control Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West

“We hope that community members will join us to celebrate the work of the Red Cross,” said David Fraser, Branch Council Chair, Ottawa Branch, Canadian Red Cross. “We value the relationship that we have with our community and are grateful for the support that we receive. The Red Cross will continue to assist the residents of Ottawa wherever and whenever help is needed.”

For more than 100 years, the Canadian Red Cross has provided help and hope to those facing conflict, disaster, injury, or illness here at home and around the world. Every four minutes, the Canadian Red Cross responds to a disaster in Canada providing support and comfort to those affected. In Ottawa, the Red Cross offers programs and services in disaster management, first aid services and injury prevention, RespectED: violence and abuse prevention programs and workshops, humanitarian issues and youth programming, and a health equipment loan program (HELP) to help meet the needs of the community.

Residents can help support the future of Red Cross by making a financial donation or by becoming a volunteer. To learn more, please visit www.redcross.ca.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 188 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.