As climate disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies upend lives, local community heroes are stepping up to care for one another.

 

This March, the Central and Northern New York Chapter is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

 

People can participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED.

 

On March 22, people can also join the annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

 

In the past 12 months, volunteers in Central and Northern New York:

 

“This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course,” said Lisa Smith, executive director of the Central and Northern New York Chapter, which serves Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

 

 

When volunteer blood and platelet donors lend an arm this March, they’ll help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, will receive a $10 Visa Prepaid Card by email. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card, the announcement said.

 

Here is a listing of upcoming blood donation opportunities by county:

 

 

Ilion — Wednesday, March 15, 1 to 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 90 Morgan St.;

 

Little Falls — Thursday, March 9, 1 to 6 p.m., Holy Family Parish, 763 E. Main St.;

 

Mohawk — Tuesday, March 21, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Church, 71 E. Main St.

 

 

Canastota — Wednesday, March 8, 1 to 6 p.m., Heritage Baptist Church, 133 Genesee St.;

 

Hamilton — Wednesday, March 8, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 27 Broad St.; Wednesday, March 29, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hamilton High School, 47 W. Kendrick Ave.;

 

Madison — Wednesday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Madison High School, 7303 Route 20;

 

Morrisville — Thursday, March 30, 1 to 6 p.m., Morrisville Community Church, 3824 Swamp Road;

 

Munnsville — Friday, March 10, 1 to 6 p.m., Munnsville Fire Dept., 5210 S. Main St.;

 

Oneida — Friday, March 10, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551 Sayles St.; Friday, March 24, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

 

 

Barneveld — Friday, March 17, 1 to 6 p.m., Town of Trenton Municipal Center, 8520 Old Poland Road;

 

Camden — Tuesday, March 7, 1 to 6 p.m., St. John’s the Evangelist Church, 35 Third St.;

 

Clinton — Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Clinton United Methodist Church, 105 Utica Road;

 

New Hartford — Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 630 French Road;

 

Oriskany — Friday, March 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oriskany-Junior Senior High School, 1312 Utica St.;

 

Rome — Friday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 W. Chestnut St.; Monday, March 20, 1 to 6 p.m., Rome Elks Lodge, 126 W. Liberty St.; Friday, March 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church;

 

Sauquoit — Thursday, March 30, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sauquoit Valley High School, 2601 Oneida St.;

 

Sherrill — Tuesday, March 7, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 230, 168 E. Seneca St.;

 

Utica — Thursday, March 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing, 2209 Genesee St.; Friday, March 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., State Office Building, 207 Genesee St.; Tuesday, March 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Temple Emanu-El, 2710 Genesee St.;

 

Waterville — Saturday, March 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Village Hall, 122 Barton Ave.;

 

Whitesboro — Friday, March 24, noon to 5 p.m., Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St.

 

 

Cleveland — Tuesday, March 28, 1 to 6 p.m., Bethel Community Fellowship, 240 Route 49, Cleveland.