Specialty license plate released in celebration of Red Cross Month

web Red Cross South Carolina License Plate

In celebration of the everyday heroes of the American Red Cross, a new specialty license plate is available from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). South Carolinians who support the Red Cross and its everyday heroes can now proudly display their support with the new license plate. Proceeds from the plate will be used to help the Red Cross and its volunteers provide vital services across the state to individuals, families and communities in their times of need.
`
“The specialty license plates are a way that people across South Carolina can showcase their support of the everyday heroes of the Red Cross,” said Louise Welch Williams, regional chief executive officer for the American Red Cross in South Carolina. “Our community is full of everyday heroes who help others in need. They are our selfless Red Cross volunteers, blood donors, and financial contributors who bring rescue to people facing life’s emergencies. During Red Cross Month, we thank them for their tremendous support.”

The license plate design features the Red Cross logo, which is internationally recognized as a symbol of humanitarian relief. In recognition of the more than 4,000 Red Cross volunteers in South Carolina that provide care, comfort, and hope when it is needed most, each plate issued will begin with the letters “VL” for volunteer.

“It is particularly fitting for vehicle owners to purchase one of the new specialty license plates during Red Cross Month because at a moment’s notice, our everyday heroes jump into action to help those in need,” explained Williams.

The Red Cross depends on local heroes to fulfill its mission. The Red Cross responds to a community disaster every eight minutes, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families at home and around the world. It must collect 14,000 units of blood every day to fulfill the country’s needs. It trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills. And it supports the vaccination of children around the globe against measles and rubella.

Each year in South Carolina the Red Cross:

• Helps more than 7,000 people after disasters, primarily home fires
• Distributes 138,000 units of blood to local hospitals
• Trains 77,000 people in lifesaving skills, such as CPR, aquatics, and first aid
• Provides nearly 9,000 emergency communications services to members of the armed forces and their families

The plate is available to all SC residents for a fee of $25 every two years, in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee. Plates can be ordered through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website, mailing the Application for Special License Plate Form to the DMV, or by visiting a local DMV office. Red Cross specialty license plates can be issued to cars or light trucks with an empty weight of 9,000 pounds or less and a gross vehicle weight of 11,000 pounds or less.

“It’s easy to become a Red Cross community hero,” said Williams. “Be ready for an emergency by creating a preparedness plan for your home. Test your smoke detectors and tell your neighbors to do the same. Or sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer, donate blood, or make a financial donation.”
People can find more information about supporting the Red Cross on redcross.org/southcarolina. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC.

Author: Jana Pye

Share This Post On

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
x
6
Posts Remaining