Poquoson proclaims March 2026 as American Red Cross Month; local chapter highlights services and volunteer needs

The Poquoson City Council presented a proclamation declaring March 2026 as American Red Cross Month and welcomed Leslie Crocker, executive director of the Coastal Virginia Red Cross, to describe the chapter’s local work.

Crocker told the council the Coastal Virginia chapter serves roughly 15 cities and counties from Emporia to Virginia Beach. She described the Red Cross’s core services — disaster response, blood services, international programs, service to the armed forces and training — and emphasized that the organization is funded by donors rather than general federal appropriations.

Crocker shared a personal “mission moment” about contacting the Red Cross’s hero care network when a family emergency required an active-duty spouse to return from deployment. She said the network arranged verification and helped the military member travel home within 24 hours.

Crocker cited local impact figures from the Coastal Virginia community report (calendar year 2025) and highlighted the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which installs smoke alarms in at-risk neighborhoods and encourages emergency planning. She said about 90% of the chapter’s workforce are volunteers and asked residents to consider joining the Coastal Virginia volunteer team.

The council presented the proclamation and thanked Crocker for the presentation. Crocker provided the national Red Cross phone number and redcross.org as contact points and invited residents to volunteer or donate.

The mayor closed the presentation by congratulating the Red Cross on its local work and encouraging community support.