Manassas Park recognizes volunteer Sunshine Jefferson and declares March American Red Cross Month

The Manassas Park Governing Body on March 3 presented a proclamation recognizing Miss Sunshine Jefferson for her volunteer service and approved a separate proclamation declaring March 2026 as American Red Cross Month.

Council moved and approved the proclamation honoring Miss Sunshine Jefferson, who accepted the recognition and thanked city leaders, volunteers and her team members, including references to Dr. Jones and Mr. Jones.

Council also approved the American Red Cross proclamation and invited representatives from the American Red Cross of Northern Virginia to speak. Juan Garcia, introduced himself as the chapter's executive director, thanked the city and asked residents to consider donating blood following winter-storm cancellations that disrupted recent blood drives. "Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood," Garcia said, noting that the American Red Cross supplies roughly 40% of the nation's blood. He asked residents able to donate or to organize drives to do so because cancellations left the chapter with a shortage.

A local volunteer identified by the transcript as Py (Priy) Sandra described more than five years of volunteering with the Northern Virginia chapter and thanked the governing body for recognizing volunteers.

Both proclamations were adopted by voice vote; no additional formal policy action accompanied the recognitions. The proclamations are symbolic acknowledgments intended to raise awareness of volunteer contributions and the ongoing need for blood donations in the region.