Grundy Reporter

Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) recently took to social media to shed light on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

“World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is a time to celebrate the spirit of humanitarianism and recognize the individuals who make a difference in their communities,” Haas wrote in a May 8 Facebook post.

In her post, Haas shared a link to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) website which stated the theme of the 2023 celebration is "Everything we do comes #fromtheheart." 

According to the organization, “The idea for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day came about after the First World War, when an ‘annual action that could take hold in the whole world... that would be a major contribution to peace’ was discussed at the 14th International Conference of the Red Cross.”

It was first celebrated as International Red Cross Day on May 8, 1948, and was renamed World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 1984. The specific month and date were chosen because of the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

“Today, the day is an opportunity every year to celebrate our network of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a common humanity, and reflect on our Fundamental Principles,” the IFRC website states. The principles are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The IFRC notes that there are three branches to the organization: the IFRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and national societies.

Although May 8 is International Red Cross Day, the State of Illinois recognized "Red Cross Day" on March 23. That included representation of the American Red Cross at the State Capitol, and a declaration in the Illinois House of Representatives, declaring March as Red Cross Month and March 22 as Red Cross Giving Day.