Red Cross receives generous donation from Spirit Airlines at Salute to Service event honoring veterans and service members

Spirit Airlines Check Presentation-Regional Red Cross CEO Josett Valdez and Spirit Airlines Communications Director Erick Hofmeyer

MIAMI, Fla. (NOVEMBER 12, 2021) — Yesterday evening, on Veteran’s Day, the American Red Cross South Florida Region honored veterans and service members at their Salute to Service event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami, Fla. Additionally recognizing local humanitarians, Marile and Jorge Luis Lopez, Esq. and their daughters Annia and Saramelia.

During the evening’s program, Josett Valdez, Regional CEO of the South Florida Red Cross, Deborah Koch, Executive Director of the Greater Miami & The Keys Red Cross Chapter, Libby Witherspoon, Board Chair for the Greater Miami & The Keys Chapter and Jaime Cruz, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Director, honored veterans, recognized local humanitarians and shared how the Red Cross has been providing services to members of the military since its founding in 1881.

One of the highlights of the evening was the generosity shown by Spirit Airlines as they made a donation of $5,000 to the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces. Spirit Airlines continues to demonstrate their commitment to the Red Cross mission by stepping up after the impact of previous hurricanes and throughout the pandemic. Spirit is a loyal supporter through challenging times and their support helps the Red Cross provide relief for thousands during their darkest hours.

The role of the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces department is to bring care and comfort to service members, veterans and military families, but we can’t do that important work without the generous support of organizations like Spirit Airlines who understand that we, as Americans, owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to anyone who has served in our Armed Forces,” said Jaime Cruz, Service to the Armed Forces & International Services Director of the South Florida Red Cross.

We believe that change starts by giving back and making a meaningful impact in people’s lives,” said Lania Rittenhouse, President of The Spirit Charitable Foundation and Vice President of Guest Experience & Brand for Spirit Airlines. “The Spirit Charitable Foundation is proud to support the American Red Cross of South Florida that works tirelessly to support those in need in our local community.”

  

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.