ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The American Red Cross is celebrating its annual Red Cross Month celebration this month, a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943 to recognize those giving back through the Red Cross. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since.

“When emergencies strike, Red Cross community heroes spring into action with relief, care and hope—whenever and wherever they are needed,” said Gail J. McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “As we honor their dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, we ask you to join in their commitment to provide help and hope by making a donation, giving blood, volunteering or learning lifesaving skills.”

On March 23, the Red Cross will host its annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign and asks for help by donating to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

In response to the war in Ukraine, the American Red Cross has deployed crisis responders to Europe to provide humanitarian relief in neighboring countries, the organization said. In Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, Croatia, Lithuania and Russia, Red Cross volunteers are supporting displaced people.

NACS partners with the American Red Cross through its Response Relief signature program: 24/7 Day. This July 24 (24/7 Day), the NACS Foundation will unite convenience stores across America in recognizing first responders, medical personnel and American Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock, 24/7, serving our communities to ensure people don’t face emergencies alone.

Convenience stores are often the only retailers who remain open during a crisis, serving both first responders and communities in need. The annual event helps raise awareness and donations for the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross and spotlights our industry’s important role in supporting local heroes and the communities we serve.

Learn more about how you can join NACS’ mission to amplify the good work done every day in local communities where we live and work by taking part in 24/7 Day.