November 2008 Archives

Here are photos of the preparations for the more than 250 turkeys and fixings the Tri-County Red Cross distributed to families in need in the Plainfield and Elizabeth areas.  Adding it all together the food weights about 7000 pounds --- three and a half tons!  It will feed more than 1,000 people who might otherwise not had a traditional Thanksgiving.

The food was donated by many organizations, including Temple Beth Ash Israel, the students of Terrill Middle School, the Green Brook Lions, Watchung Lions, Warren Lions and North Plainfield Lions.

And we could never, ever, ever do the Thanksgiving Dinner program without the amazing help of Marie Bradley who coordinates the Turkey donations.  Thanks to Marie and the more than four dozen volunteers who collected and distributed food to give many families a Thanksgiving to remember.

Plainfield Turkey Baskets:


Elizabeth Turkey Baskets:

The New Jersey chapters of the American Red Cross participated in the New Jersey League of Municipalities conference from November 18-20 in Atlantic City, NJ.  We helped educated municipal officials on the services the Red Cross provides for disaster relief, health and safety education, community support and other programs.

Here's our booth:

Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) Volunteers responded to two fires in 12 hours.  On Tuesday around 1am, the call came in that Costas Restaurant in Roselle Park was engulfed in flames and the residents living above the restaurant were out on the street.  DAT Volunteers Joe Czarnecki, Tony Mineri and Chuck Sweetman, along with Emergency Services Director Mike Prasad responded and opened a temporary disaster response center at the Casano Community Center for the victims of this fire.  Three residents were provided shelter and financial assistance to purchase food and clothing. 

 

The temporary disaster response shelter is now closed, however if there are additional victims to this fire who require emergency relief, they are encouraged to call Tri-County Red Cross at 908-756-6414 to seek assistance.

A fire that same day at the Dove residence in North Plainfield required the services of the Tri-County Red Cross.  Although the fire did not destroy their home, it is uninhabitable and the Red Cross provided emergency shelter at a local hotel enabling the family to focus on their recovery.

"Home fires are devastating and can happen at any time," said Michael Prasad, Director of Emergency Services. "Our volunteers helped these families regain a sense of control in their life: allowing them to focus on moving forward instead of worrying about where they are going to sleep or what they are going to do for food and clothing.  It's very rewarding to be a part of that healing process."

Support for disaster victim relief is provided by the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, and by donations from 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 interested in volunteering for the Disaster, Blood, Volunteer, Health and Safety or Fundraising committees should contact Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross, and assignments can be tailored to fit anyone's interests, availability and ability.

You can join the American Red Cross Services for Armed Forces on Facebook, and while you're at it join the Tri-County Red Cross on Facebook, too!

While we were honoring our veterans yesterday on Veteran's Day, our volunteer staff was busy helping two families with an overnight apartment fire in Plainfield. Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team Volunteer Terri Esposito responded to the scene and provided emergency housing and financial support to 11 people, including the seven members of the Meda family. Both apartments suffered major damage from the fire.

"Home fires are disasters that don't take a day off," said Michael Prasad, Director of Emergency Services. "We were fortunate to have a volunteer available to help these families start their recovery process, by providing them some short-term assistance. We need help covering the 22 towns we support, during the day and on nights and weekends, too."

Support for disaster victim relief is provided by the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, and donations 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 interested in volunteering for the Disaster, Blood, Volunteer, Health and Safety or Fundraising committees should contact Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross, and assignments can be tailored to fit anyone's interests, availability and ability.

The Tri-County Red Cross is celebrating Veterans Day today, honoring all the men and women who have served our country in the armed services. 

The Red Cross provides Services for Armed Forces including emergency communications when family emergency happens, deployment support, help finding assistance to funding, counseling and more.

The Tri-County Red Cross also provide support for veterans, including volunteering at the Lyons Veterans hospital with other area Red Cross chapters.

If you are interested in volunteering to support active members of the armed forces or veterans please call Nathan Rudy at (908) 756-6414 for more information.

PLAINFIELD (November 4, 2008) Two fires this past weekend in Plainfield required the services of the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team. 

A fire on Plainfield Avenue, Saturday November 1, sent five families scrambling for safety.  Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team Volunteer Terri Esposito responded to the scene and provided emergency housing and financial support to several residents including the Norris family and their two children. 

Sunday November 2, a residential fire on Saint Mary's Avenue affected the residence of the Brown and Williams families.  Severe smoke and water damage affected their homes, preventing their return once the fire was extinguished.  Fortunately, the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded and provided them with a clean place to stay and the means to purchase new clothing and food as they begin to pick up the pieces.

"Home fires are disasters that can happen at any time," said Michael Prasad, Director of Emergency Services. "The families of these two disasters in Plainfield can focus on their recovery because our volunteers were there to provide them with the essentials.  It allows the victims to move on and regain a sense of control in their life."

Support for disaster victim relief is provided by the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund, and donations 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 Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross, and assignments can be tailored to fit anyone's interests, availability and ability.

From the Sunday, November 2 2008 Courier News local section:

Two injured escaping from Plainfield apartment fire
by  Walter O'Brien

PLAINFIELD --Two people were injured jumping to safety from a "suspicious" fire in a city apartment building, police said.

The fire forced others from their homes, police added.

The two residents leaped to safety at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 from a second-floor window while four others made their way through the rear fire escape of a two-story building at 326 Plainfield Ave. at the corner of West Fourth Street, said Battalion Chief Henry Robinson of the Plainfield Fire Division.

"When the fire department arrived, the stairwell leading to the second floor was totally engulfed in flames," Robinson said. "The firefighters continued to fight the fire while the rescue squad took the two who jumped out of the window to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick."

Robinson said the jumpers' conditions are not known and names have not been released pending a full investigation.

"The fire is being investigated as suspicious," Plainfield Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig said.

Tri-County Red Cross Executive Director Nathan Rudy confirmed that his agency sheltered two families, both of whom may be able to return to their homes soon once approved by the fire department.

"Our volunteer Terri Esposito was called to the scene at 3 a.m. and arranged hotel rooms for the families," Rudy said. "She checked with them Saturday afternoon and said they were doing fine."

Robinson said that his department was assisted by the Union County Mutual Aid Coordinator, and the Westfield and South Plainfield fire departments.

The Tri-County Red Cross spends more than $100,000 each year providing emergency relief to families who lose their homes to fire, flood or other disasters.  You can support this work by contributing using the form to the right, or by mailing a tax deductible contribution to Tri-County Red Cross, 332 West Front Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060.