Every day, Red Cross volunteers are proving one person can make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people everywhere. People all over the world, united in their belief in humanity and their desire to make the world a better place, will take a moment on World Red Cross Day, May 8th to recognize past achievements and look towards a better future.
May 8th was chosen as World Red Cross Day to honor the birthday of Henry Dunant, the Swiss founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1859. His idea of a volunteer-based humanitarian organization has grown into the world's largest humanitarian network made up of almost 97 million volunteers in 186 countries.
The Red Cross St. Maarten as one of the six branches of the Netherlands. Red Cross is part of this large network – a network which connects volunteers with each other all over the world.
To celebrate World Red Cross Day, members of the Red Cross St. Maarten were present at a church service at the Roman Catholic Church in Philipsburg last Sunday morning. Some members participated in the offertory and others read the 7 fundamental principles (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality) of the organization. At the end of the mass, the Red Cross members handed a small token of appreciation to the church members.
Tonight (Tuesday May 8th) all volunteers will gather at their head quarters in Simpson Bay to celebrate this event with an evening of togetherness and sharing.
