March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross would like to recognize the nation’s everyday heroes who reach out to help their neighbors when they are in need.

“Our heroes are our volunteers, our blood donors, people who take our classes or those who make a financial contribution to help us help others,” said Jerry J.K. Tillery, CEO of the Southern, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast and Puerto Rico Blood Services Regions. “During Red Cross Month, we thank them and encourage everyone to discover their inner hero by giving time to help people in our community.”

For more than 70 years, all of the country’s presidents, including President Obama, have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters of all sizes big and small in this country every year. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families — in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills.

“Red Cross Month is also a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross. It’s easy,” Tillery said. “They can become a Red Cross volunteer, work on a preparedness plan for their household, give blood, or take a Red Cross class.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping people in need.