March 2008 Archives

On the fourth Wednesday of each month, the Tri-County Red Cross is hosting a happy hour for supporters, volunteers, donors, staff and anyone else who wants to come by. There are no programs, no speeches, no presentations, no fundraising, no nothing. Just come on by with some friends for a little socializing and fun with other Red Cross people.

This Wednesday, March 26th, we will be holding our Happy Hour at Suspenders Pub in Union, NJ.  Suspenders has generously agreed to donate the hors d'ourves for the event, and to provide a cash bar for all comers.

The Tri-County Red Cross will host Happy Hours at Suspenders every other month -- March 26, May 28, July 23, September 24, November (TBD)-- and at Cafe Vivace in Plainfield on the other months -- Feburary, April 23, June 25, August 27, October 22, December (TBD).

Please come by and meet other dedicated Red Cross folks.

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Below is a Google Map of the disaster responses for the Tri-County Red Cross this calendar year as of March 24, 2008.  The map will be expanded to include all disaster responses since July 1, 2007 to match our fiscal year.

Many families receive shelter, food and clothing from the Red Cross, all funded by our very generous local individual, business and foundation donors. The Red Cross does not receive governmental funds for its services.

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To assist in replenishing the Disaster Fund, please consider donating online.

ELIZABETH, NJ (March 18, 2008) - Fires in Cranford, Roselle and Union on Monday sent Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers responding to the disaster and providing support to all the victims.

"Multiple fires in one day will not deter the Red Cross," said Nathan Rudy, Tri-County Red Cross CEO.  "Our volunteers are trained to respond to multiple disasters ensuring disaster victims are provided with the essentials when the disaster occurs."

All 17 victims, including 10 children, of the fires were offered shelter, food and clothing. 

 "Our volunteers are very special people," explains Victor Webb, Director of Volunteer Services.  "As local residents, they go through specialized training to provide the compassion, respect and expertise needed to help victims when they are most vulnerable."

Support for these services is provided by the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund.  Financial contributions from local citizens wishing to make a difference, supply the fund.  When multiple disasters occur in one day, our fund is depleted rapidly.  Help ensure our fund is available for future disasters by donating online at http://www.tricountyredcross.org/donate.shtml, or by calling (908) 756-6414. 

The Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, celebrating its 91st anniversary in 2008, has headquarters in Plainfield and Elizabeth, NJ. The Chapter provides health and safety, disaster response and military communications programs and services to more than half a million residents of 22 towns in Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

Union: Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union, Winfield Middlesex: Dunellen, Edison (NW), South Plainfield Somerset: Green Brook, North Plainfield, Warren, Watchung

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has become the nation's premier emergency response organization. It has built a reputation around the world as the organization to turn to when faced with a disaster. Its nationwide network of more than 800 chapters is dedicated to saving lives by helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

 

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Today the Tri-County Red Cross responded to two families who were displaced from their homes by fires.  Disaster Action Team Leader Terri Esposito and Senior Director Santiago Soto responded to a fire in Cranford, and Disaster Services Director Joseph Depoala supported a family in Roselle.

In Roselle, Depoala worked with a family of four including three children with hotel rooms for three days, changes of clothing and food for a week.  Their homeowner's insurance covered their needs, happily.

In Cranford, Esposito and Soto arranged for a family of three, including one teenage son, with shelter, clothing and food.

If you wish to support the disaster programs of the Tri-County Red Cross, you can contribute online.

Today at the Green Brook Middle school about one hundred children participated in an Easter Egg Hunt to benefit the Tri-County Red Cross.  The event, coordinated by Green Brook Councilwoman Melonie Marano, raised close to a thousand dollars to support the disaster preparation, prevention and relief efforts of the Red Cross.

Here are some pictures of the event, which was -- in all honesty -- a heck of a good time for all!

The Easter Bunny hangs out as kids come in to the Easter Egg Hunt.

The Easter Bunny with Tri-County Red Cross CEO Nathan Rudy's daughter Kendy. Kendy's a little shy!

Kids eagerly await the cowbell that signals it's time to go collect the eggs!

GREEN BROOK, NJ (March 11, 2008] -- An egg hunt to benefit the Tri-County Red Cross will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008, 10:30am at the Green Brook Middle School. The event will be held rain or shine. All children ages 2 thru kindergarten are invited to attend at a cost of $5 per child. Photos with the Easter Bunny will also be available for a charge.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Tri-County Red Cross headquartered in Plainfield NJ. The Tri-County Red Cross serves 22 communities within Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties with disaster relief, blood drives, CPR & Lifesaving training.

ELIZABETH, NJ (March 7, 2008) - Four Elizabeth families are without homes today after a fire ripped through their apartment building last night.  Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers responded to the disaster and provided support to all the victims.

"Fires can happen at any time," said Nathan Rudy, Tri-County Red Cross CEO.  "Our volunteers are on call 24-7, to ensure disaster victims are provided with the essentials as soon as the disaster occurs."

Vouchers for food, clothing and lodging were provided to all four families, including four children, affected by this disaster. 

To provide relief services to local families affected by disasters such as fires, the Tri-County Red Cross relies on the local Disaster Relief Fund.  This fund is sustained by financial contributions by local residents and businesses.  Since Christmas 2007, the Tri-County Red Cross has responded to 30 local families affected by disasters.  This is nearly double the typical amount of disasters the Tri-County Red Cross normally responds to during this time. 

Due to the high number of disasters the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund is lower than normal and we need assistance from the community to restore it to optimal levels.  Please donate today to the Disaster Relief Fund to ensure our services will continue to be available to all future disaster victims.

"By donating to the Tri-County Red Cross, your money will go to help local victims - our neighbors," said Corinna Krauskopf, Development & Marketing Officer.  "You can see first hand what your money is supporting.  It's an amazing opportunity to be able to make a direct and immediate impact on someone's life during a tragedy.

To replenish the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, donate online at http://www.tricountyredcross.org/donate.shtml, or by calling (908) 756-6414.  Together we can make a difference.

The Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross, celebrating its 91st anniversary in 2008, has headquarters in Plainfield and Elizabeth, NJ. The Chapter provides health and safety, disaster response and military communications programs and services to more than half a million residents of 22 towns in Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

Union: Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union, Winfield Middlesex: Dunellen, Edison (NW), South Plainfield Somerset: Green Brook, North Plainfield, Warren, Watchung

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has become the nation's premier emergency response organization. It has built a reputation around the world as the organization to turn to when faced with a disaster. Its nationwide network of more than 800 chapters is dedicated to saving lives by helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

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