Cumberland County proclaims March 2026 as American Red Cross Month after local chapter presentation

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners declared March 2026 as American Red Cross Month on March 18 after a presentation from the Central Pennsylvania Red Cross chapter.

Erin Sande, board chair for the local Red Cross chapter, told commissioners the chapter’s county work covers 11 counties and shared county‑level metrics: since the fiscal year began July 1, the chapter has responded to 36 disaster events in Cumberland County, impacted about 136 individuals in those events, installed 60 free smoke alarms through the home‑fire campaign, and supported roughly 292 local volunteers. The chapter also reported recent blood‑collection activity, saying it had collected more than 3,300 units of blood through approximately 115 drives and appealed for volunteer hosts and shelter partners.

Sande emphasized that the Red Cross provides ongoing support after a disaster — including replacement of prescriptions and durable medical equipment and mental‑health services — and encouraged residents to request free smoke alarms through the local Red Cross office or at soundthealarm.org/greaterpa. ‘‘We’re there for ongoing care to help replace prescriptions, to help replace durable medical equipment ... and to help with recovery,’’ Sande said.

Commissioners read a proclamation recognizing the Red Cross’s nationwide role and the Central Pennsylvania chapter’s local services (the proclamation recited recent county figures for smoke‑alarm installations, blood drives and services to veterans). The board thanked the presenters and invited them to pose for photographs after the meeting.

What residents can do: The Red Cross said residents who need free smoke alarms or want to host blood drives should contact the chapter through the online request form or the local chapter office in Harrisburg.