Across Minnesota and the Dakotas, neighbors of every generation are stepping forward to help when emergencies happen, from high school students organizing blood drives to longtime volunteers responding to home fires in the middle of the night.

March is recognized nationally as Red Cross Month, a time to honor the volunteers, blood donors and supporters who make this lifesaving work possible. The American Red Cross serves people across the country and around the world, powered by a workforce made up of more than 90 percent volunteers.

Red Cross Month culminates with Red Cross Giving Day on March 25, when people across the country come together to support families affected by disasters.

Communities across Minnesota and the Dakotas will mark Giving Day by lighting prominent landmarks in red and issuing proclamations recognizing March as Red Cross Month.

These recognitions help highlight the work of Red Cross volunteers and the impact of supporters who make disaster relief possible.