The Tippecanoe County Chapter of the American Red Cross is kicking off its annual Heroes campaign on March 1.

The campaign runs the entire month of March which is also American Red Cross Month nationally.

The Red Cross Heroes Campaign is the chapter’s largest fundraiser of the year. The goal for the 2010 campaign is $75,000. All funds raised through this campaign will be used to support services to Tippecanoe, Benton and Carroll counties.

This year’s campaign chairs are Rick and Sarah Schwarz. She has been a Red Cross volunteer for more than 40 years and currently sits on the Red Cross board of directors.

The Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast is March 2 at 7:30 a.m. at the Red Cross. Local community heroes will be recognized and applauded for their efforts to save lives in the Greater Lafayette area.

The Red Cross is mandated by Congress to provide services in disaster relief and emergency military communication 24/7. This mandate comes with no government funding. As such, the Red Cross relies on the generosity of the American public to provide services.

For more information on the Heroes Campaign, call the chapter at (765) 742-6975 or visit www.lafayetteredcross. org.