The board of directors of the American Red Cross of Ventura County is celebrating Red Cross Month in March by launching a major fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $30,000 for local needs. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared March 1943 to be Red Cross Month—a tradition that has been continued every year by every president since. Dole Food Company has generously offered a challenge gift of $10,000 toward this goal with the hope that it will inspire community members to lend an important hand.

"In recent months, the Red Cross had tremendous impact around the world. At this moment, Red Cross workers are continuing to help rebuild lives shattered by December’s tsunami. In January there was a tremendous outpouring of support for those whose homes and loved ones were lost in devastating storms," said Jason Smith, CEO of the American Red Cross. "One hundred percent of those donations went directly to help survivors of those disasters. Now we are launching a campaign to shore up local funds to ensure we are ready the next time an emergency occurs in Ventura County."

Over the next few days, members of the board of directors will be placing calls to local supporting, asking their help in reaching the goal. "Our local board of directors understands that the Red Cross must continue to be able to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies," said Bob Nunn, chair of the board of the American Red Cross of Ventura County. "When our volunteers call, we encourage folks to listen to our story and consider making a contribution."

Since 1917, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has been meeting needs throughout the communities it services. Each year, more than 2,000 local volunteers respond to more than 50 local disasters, teach ten of thousands lifesaving skills and support the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The American Red Cross is not a government agency. Residents wishing to make a contribution should mail their check to P.O. Box 608, Camarillo, CA, call Debra Creadick at (805) 987-1514 or visit the website at www.arcventura.org.