July 2008 Archives

Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team Leader Mike Prasad gave the Maggs family the support they needed after a fire in Fanwood spread through their Shady Lane home in Fanwood on Saturday, July 19^th.  Their home was completely destroyed, as were their personal belongings.  

Prasad was called to the fire by the Fanwood Police Department, and provided housing and financial support to purchase new clothes and food for the Maggs family after they told him they had nowhere else to go.    

"Mike is always ready to step up and respond to local disasters in our chapter, providing every family that needs it with the basics so they can begin rebuilding their lives," said Nathan Rudy, CEO of the Tri-county Red Cross. "I'm very proud of our volunteers like Mike Prasad, and the local residents and businesses who donate the finances we need to always be there."    

Support for disaster victim relief is provided by the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, and donated by local individuals, organizations and businesses.   The Red Cross receives no financial support from the government for these services, but relies on the kindness of neighbors. You can help ensure our fund is available for future disasters by donating online at www.tricountyredcross.org/donate.html, or by calling Corinna Krauskopf (908) 756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org.    

Local residents interesting in volunteering for the Disaster, Blood, Volunteer, Health and Safety or Fundraising committees should contact Victor Webb at (908) 756-6414 or webbv@usa.redcross.org .  Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross, and assignments can be tailored to fit anyone's interests, availability and ability. 

Tri-County Red Cross volunteers responded to a fire on Edward Terrace in Union Township at the request of the Union Fire Department.  The Booker family -- parents and an adult daughter -- was displaced by the fire, and the Red Cross provided them with three nights of shelter at a local hotel and a debit card with a spending limit to purchase a week's worth of food and two changes of clothing for each family member.

These services are funded completely through contributions from local individuals, businesses and organizations.  If you would like to contribute to the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, you can do so using the link below.

$25.00 - $25 for the Disaster Fund $50.00 - $50 for the Disaster Fund $100.00 - $100 for the Disaster Fund $250.00 - $250 for the Disaster Fund

Terri Esposito, volunteer Disaster Action Team Leader from South Plainfield, was named our Volunteer of the Year for 2008 at our annual meeting in June. Today Gannett published an article about Terri in the Courier News and the Home News Tribune. This picture accompanied it. You can click through to the story or read the text after the jump.

Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team members were back in full swing this week after two house fires ended a recent quiet period in our area. 

On  July 8th, a fire in a Linden home sent three people scrambling for cover.  The Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team members were able to assess their needs and provide lodging at a local hotel as well as financial support for them to purchase food and new clothing as they recover from their unfortunate disaster.

On July 10th, an Elizabeth fire started in the attic to the home of Jonathan Sanchez, Claudia Aguirre and their two young daughters.  After this fire was extinguished they were allowed to return to their home to salvage their belongings.  However as they were searching through their home, the fire rekindled and they had to evacuate again.  It was at this time that they looked to the Tri-County Red Cross for help. 

"It's fortunate that no one was injured," said Santiago Soto, Sr. Director of Services for the Tri-County Red Cross.  "We were able to provide hotel lodging, and the means for them to purchase clothing and food as while they pick up the pieces."

If you would like to help victims like the Sanchez-Aguirre family, please donate online or call our office at 908-756-6414 to volunteer.

July 11, 2008 (ELIZABETH, NJ) On Wednesday, July 9, 2008 the County of Union hosted a blood drive with the Tri-County Red Cross in support of Jarrett Alan LoAlbo-Junio.  LoAlbo-Junio is the son of Union County Corrections Officer Jason Junio and Elaina LoAlbo, and the grandson of Judi McCartney of the County of Union Finance Department.  Only three years old, he has been diagnosed with leukemia, complicated by a diagnosis of sepsis. 

The County of Union reached out to the Tri-County Red Cross to help this family and their child in need of blood for his long journey of treatment.  Sensitive to the urgency of this request, the Red Cross was able to accommodate the county's wishes and within four days, had the drive planned.

"We have 114 potential donors who have signed up for this drive," said Victor Webb, Director of Blood Services at the Tri-County Red Cross.  "Many of them are first time donors which is great to see people step out of their comfort zone to help a little boy."

Jarrett's mother, Elaina LoAlbo and grandmother, Judi McCartney were on site to personally thank the donors.

"I think it's beautiful," said LoAlbo.

A total of 82 pints were collected at the drive.

If you would like to donate blood with the Tri-County Red Cross please call or e-mail Victor Webb at 908-756-6414 to organize a drive or visit our site for more information.

All presenting donors for Saturday, July 12, 2008 will be entered into a drawing to win their choice of a camcorder, video iPod or XBox 360 Arcade System.

In celebration of the Fourth of July, the Tri-County Red Cross participated in parades in North Plainfield and Plainfield, and at the street fair in Roselle.  Here are a few pictures from the North Plainfield parade with some other pics coming soon.

A Red Cross disaster vehicle gets ready to follow the local Boy Scout troops into the parade.

Four year old Kendy Rudy -- Chapter CEO Nathan Rudy's four year old daughter -- poses in front of the Tri-County Red Cross Ford Explorer. The Exlorer is used to respond to local disasters and to pull our trailers of equipment and supplies in times of major disasters such as the 2007 Nor 'Easter.

Red Cross Blood Director Victor Webb, Red Cross phlebotomist Malc Sutaria, Red Cross volunteer Carlos Sanchez, Volunteer Marie Louise Bourdon and Union County Freeholder Rick Proctor attend the Tri-County Red Cross blood drive at Aaron's

Today Tri-County Red Cross in partnership with Aaron's furniture store hosted a blood drive in Plainfield.  The drive was attended by Red Cross supporter, Freeholder Rick Proctor of Union County.

"My mother ran blood drives for the Red Cross in the County for many years," said Freeholder Proctor.  "I am glad I can be a part of the Tri-County Red Cross and their blood drives."

The next blood drive will be held at the Union County Administrative Building on July 9, 2008 from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM in the Freeholder Meeting Room, 6th floor, Elizabeth, NJ  07207.  This blood drive will be in support of a County employee's child who has been diagnosed with leukemia,complicated by a diagnosis of sepsis.

Blood donation is safe, painless, and takes just minutes.  You must weigh at least 110 pounds, be 17 years of age, have a form of photo identification, and have eaten within four hours of donating blood.

To find a blood drive visit Please Give Blood or contact Victor Webb at (908) 756-6414 or webbv@usa.redcross.org. You can also contact Mr. Webb to organize a blood drive at your community organization, church or business.