All donations to charity make a difference, whether they consist of money, clothing, cars, or simply some time spent volunteering. While every donation is equally important, today I would like to focus more specifically upon the importance of giving blood. Most healthy people who are at least 17 years old, and weigh over 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule so it may be worth either phoning or emailing your local Chapter of The American Red Cross in order to check your eligibility.

It is very important to remember that you should not wait until an emergency occurs before giving blood. In addition to the fact that during, or immediately after an emergency, especially one in your local area, you may have difficulty even getting to a blood donation center. Also, there are many individuals who rely on donations of blood right throughout the year. These individuals include trauma victims, surgery patients, individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease, and some premature infants.

If you are interested in giving blood, you may be interested to know that The American Red Cross is teaming up with The New York Rangers for a special blood drive on Saturday April 4 from 9am-3pm at the Crown Plaza Hotel in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All donors will receive a replica New York Rangers jersey.

The whole process at a blood drive – from the time you arrive until the time you leave – typically takes no more than an hour and a half. The donation itself takes only about ten minutes. After it is given, your blood donation is brought back to The American Red Cross where it is tested and separated into components. Your single donation can help as many as three people, and can be at a hospital, ready for a critically ill patient, in as little as 48 hours.

As I mentioned earlier, blood is one of many forms donations can take. Tomorrow I want to discuss a different kind of donation. That is, a donation of a used car, or another vehicle.

A few days ago, I provided a brief biography of this amazing woman who, through her compassion and determination, formed The American Red Cross as an organization, and as a spirit that has left a lasting mark on our nation. Today I want to briefly talk about The Clara Barton Society, which was formed to honor Americans who share the qualities that Clara Barton possessed, and instilled in the organization she founded.

The Clara Barton Society honors your total, annual giving in support of your local Chapter of The American Red Cross. All types of gifts, cash contributions, securities, property, and the value of goods and services, go towards your membership in the Society. The Clara Barton Society recognizes giving at four different levels. First, as a Friend ($1,000-$4,999), second, as a Sponsor ($5,000-$9,999), third, as a Pacesetter ($10,000-$24,999), and fourth, as a Benefactor ($25,000-$49,999).

As a member of The Clara Barton Society, you are an active partner in carrying out the work of The American Red Cross. You will also learn exactly how your contribution is being used to help people in need of services provided by The American Red Cross.

If you are interested in becoming a member of The Clara Barton Society contact your local Chapter of The American Red Cross. They will be happy to provide you with more information, and other ways in which you can contribute to The American Red Cross.

The Clara Barton Society and The Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders highlight what can be achieved when like-minded individuals make a concerted, genuine effort to contribute to their local community. Obviously, donations can take many forms, all of which are greatly appreciated. In addition to more commonly donated items, used cars and vehicles can be particularly valuable as donations.

You do not need to be part of a society to help aid the work of your local Chapter of The American Red Cross. Contributing any amount of time, goods, or money means that you are a part of the difference your local Chapter makes to people in your community.

There are a small number of charitable organizations that are very closely linked to The American Red Cross. Two of the more notable of these are The Clara Barton Society, which I will discuss tomorrow, and The Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders. The society recognizes the influential part women have played throughout the history of The American Red Cross.

The Tiffany Circle, as the Society is often known, is a nationwide leadership network of female leaders and philanthropists who want to change lives, save lives, and strengthen communities through a $10,000 donation to their local Chapter of The American Red Cross. The women of The Tiffany Circle also support their communities through an investment of their time and their abilities.

The name Tiffany, and the donation figure of $10,000 specifically recognize two historical precedents in the history of The American Red Cross. The Circle is named after the beautiful Tiffany windows in the Board of Governor’s Hall at The American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington D.C. The American Red Cross President Mabel Boardman commissioned these windows, produced by the Tiffany Studios, in 1917. The Women’s Relief Corps of the North, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy of the South, each contributed $5,000 in an act of reconciliation and hope, to pay for them.

The women depicted in the Tiffany windows personify the virtues at work in The American Red Cross: hope, mercy, faith, charity, truth and fortitude. Members of The Tiffany Circle provide living examples of these virtues in their own communities, ensuring that their local Chapter has the ability to provide the services required by the local community.

This year The Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders will be holding a leadership summit on the 8th and 9th of June, in Washington D.C. For more information contact Director of Development, Michelle McMullen by phone on (817) 335-9317, ext. 234, or send an email to mcmullenm@usa.redcross.org.

Many of us cannot afford such large donations, but we can help by providing smaller donations of money, clothing, blood, or used cars, and other vehicles. Every donation, no matter how small or large, makes a difference.