2020-03-17 Proclamation - American Red Cross Month 2020Teroc amati
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Office of the Mayor
Okeechobee, Florida
Whereas, March is American Red Cross Month, a time when we recognize the humanitarian organization that
eases people's suffering during life's emergencies in Okeechobee, across the United States and around the
world. The Coast to Heartland Chapter has a long history of helping our neighbors in need by delivering
shelter, care and hope during disasters, making our community safer through its lifesaving Home Fire
Campaign; teaching skills that save lives, and supporting military, veterans, and their families. During
this Red Cross Month, we thank and honor the selfless volunteers, dedicated employees and generous
supporters who make this compassionate work possible.
as, last year in Okeechobee, 250 Coast to Heartland volunteers worked to help the community prepare
for, respond to and recover from disasters such as home fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes. In,
addition, volunteers helped 303 people affected by 100 home fires in the chapter jurisdiction by
addressing their urgent needs like food and lodging; and providing recovery support.
Whereas, meanwhile, the Red Cross continues to work with its partners to prevent fire tragedies through its
national Home Fire Campaign, which installed its 2 millionth free smoke alarm lastyear and has saved
hundreds of lives across the country since launching five years ago. The Coast to Heartland Chapter and
local partners have installed more than 1,000 free smoke alarms and made more than 545 households
safer from the threat of home fires.
Whereas, additionally, in this chapter, the Red Cross provided more than 650 services to our military and taught
more than 3,750 citizens life-saving skills such as First Aid, CPR and swimming. We recognize the
volunteer heroes who donated more than 21,000 hours to make this work possible to help our neighbors
when they need a helping hand.
Whereas, every day, people in our community depend on the American Red Cross, whose lifesaving mission is
powered by the devotion of volunteers, generosity of donors and partnership of community
organizations. We dedicate the month of March to all those who support its vital work to prevent and
alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, 1, Dowling R. Watford, Jr., by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of
Okeechobee, Florida, do hereby proclaim March 2020 as `American Red Cross Month."
In witness whereof, on March 17, 2020, I have
set my hand and caused this seal to b affixed
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Dowling R. a
* rd,Jr., ayor
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-A !,'� Attest. ' 1i1t1
-Lane Gamzotea, CMC, City Clerk