VAN NUYS : Red Cross Starts Belated Effort to Raise Funds

While the rest of the United States marked American Red Cross awareness month in March, the San Fernando Valley District office was forced to break from tradition because of the Northridge earthquake.

Instead of raising funds, Red Cross workers in the Valley--along with those in Los Angeles--spent the month providing aid to quake victims. Planned fund-raising activities had to be put off until May and June.

Julia Marie Montez, Valley district manager, said her office alone spent $37 million providing earthquake relief and that it is in “great need” of funds.

Also, the Valley district office, 14171 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, sustained $100,000 in earthquake damages, Montez said.

March has been American Red Cross awareness month since the days of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who designated it as such because the middle three letters in March, a , r and c , are the initials of the organization.

In the same spirit, the month of February belongs to the American Heart Assn. because of Valentine’s Day, Red Cross officials said.

“Save the Day” is the theme of this year’s Red Cross fund-raising campaign. It is designed to let companies and organizations donate money to cover a day’s operating budget of the American Red Cross, Montez said.