(June 1, 2006, ATLANTA) – James Holmes, retired regional director of the U.S. Census Bureau, has been selected to join the American Red Cross’ Board of Governors, effective May 14, 2006. Holmes’ selection was ratified during the American Red Cross’ recent national convention held in Washington, D.C. to mark its 125th anniversary.
The American Red Cross’ Board of Governors is tasked with the responsibility of
overseeing the operations of the non-profit organization, which is the nation’s leading provider of blood and blood components and assistance to Americans displaced by small and large disasters such as domestic fires, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes.
The American Red Cross also provides lifeguard and baby-sitting training and certification among a host of other services geared towards helping Americans avoid, prepare for, and recover from personal, local and regional disasters.
Holmes has a long association with the American Red Cross through its Southern Region Blood Services division where he has served as chair of its Minority Recruitment Advisory Board. The Advisory Board has helped increase awareness among Atlanta’s African-American population of the need for more eligible minority donors to give blood.
A regular blood donor, Holmes was named Blood Services Volunteer of the Year by the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross in 2004 and served as chair-elect of the Southern Region’s Board of Directors prior to his election to the Board of Governors.
“Having served the American Red Cross through the Southern Region Blood Services, I appreciate and understand the importance of the organization’s work to the well-being of all who call this nation home,” says Holmes.
“To serve as a member of the National Board of Governors is an honor and a privilege and I look forward to helping the organization continue to realize its mission of saving lives and keeping America safe.”
Most healthy people age 17 or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, can donate blood. The American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region needs approximately 1,200 people to donate blood each weekday to meet the needs of local hospital patients.
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