Lacey City Council honors American Red Cross

In recognition of its humanitarian work, the Lacey City Council proclaimed March 2026 as American Red Cross Month at meeting on March 3.  

The proclamation acknowledged the organization's more than 100 years of disaster response and community service. It highlighted the organization's work providing emergency shelter, food and comfort to families hit by local disasters, such as home fires. 

The proclamation also cited the organization's blood donation services, which support accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and people receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and sickle cell disease. 

Vic Merolla, a community volunteer leader with the American Red Cross South Puget Sound and Olympics Chapter, represented the organization at the meeting and urged residents to get involved. He noted that 90 percent of Red Cross workers in the field are volunteers. 

He said the organization tries to provide comfort to people in times of need.

"So, whether it's a cup of coffee, a sandwich, a blanket, or even giving a stuffed animal to a child just to see that little smile, for 10 seconds, makes it all worthwhile," Merolla said.

He also encouraged blood and monetary donations, noting that 90 cents of every dollar goes straight to emergency relief. He made a case for volunteering as well. With more than 200 available roles, he said, many positions can be done from home. 

Local reach 

The South Puget Sound and Olympics Chapter operates in eight counties: Pierce, Lewis, Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Clallam and Jefferson. 

According to the chapter, its 554 local volunteers contribute more than 48,047 hours annually. 

Last year, the chapter responded to 197 home fires and assisted 408 families. It also enrolled 23,501 people in training courses, collected 6,984 units of blood across 250 blood drives, and served 19,538 military service members and their families through its armed forces program. 

Council member Nicolas Dunning also spoke in support of the recognition, sharing a personal experience from his military deployment to Afghanistan.

He said the Red Cross helped connect him with his father, who had suffered a near-fatal stroke while Dunning was overseas. 

"It was because of the Red Cross and his care facility being able to get a hold of my command that I was able to talk to him," Dunning said. "I'm really grateful for what you guys do." 

Mayor Andy Ryder addressed the recent announcement that United Way of Thurston County will cease operations in the area.

He said the development will push the Red Cross into an even greater role locally, and urged residents to step up through volunteering and financial support. 

"There's such a critical part of our community, and we wouldn't know what we do without you," Ryder said. "Please support the Red Cross. We need volunteers, we need the voluntary support, and we desperately need them in our community."