March: Red Cross Month

The Red Cross has been actively serving humanity since the 1860s through its various programs, both in the United States and throughout the world. The International Red Cross has chapters worldwide that operate under the provisions of neutrality originally established by the Geneva Treaty of 1864. Its charge, and that of the American Red Cross, is to furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies during times of war and to serve as a channel of communication between civilians and military personnel in times of both war and peace. Another charge is to bring relief to those suffering as a result of natural disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes.