Board News

Every year the Tri-County Red Cross gives out more than a thousand toys to local children for the holidays, signing up more than 200 families who need just a little leg up to make the winter holidays just a little better. Today we are doing the final preparations, and tomorrow we will pass out the presents.

It sounds like a small thing to just pass out toys, but it's amazing how many people are behind the effort to make it happen. Here are just some pictures of people who made this happen in 2009, and more will be coming.

One of our biggest benefactors is Borders in Watchung, and their customers. Last year Dot Smith called us up out of the blue and offered to make us the beneficiary of their holiday toy drive. We were overwhelmed by what we received, and this year there is even more! So far we have received more than 20 boxes of stuffed animals, toys and books. Here's a picture of Elsa Mejia, Denise Neto and disaster volunteer Terri Esposito organizing just a few of the books for kids that Borders' customers bought.

Every time you hear about how kids these days just don't care like they used to, check out these kids who stood up to help those who are a little less fortunate. Kids from the Bayberry Elementary School collected toys for the annual Tri-County Red Cross Toy Drive 2009. Pictured is Ms. Mary Nunn, principal of the school.

We can't leave out the kids at Wardlaw Hartridge, either, who were so enthusiastic that they had to create an old-fashioned bucket brigade to get all the toys from the school to our disaster response van. Check out their enthusiasm -- partly for the good feelings, and partly because it was really, really cold!

The officers of the Navy Recruiting Station in Plainfield also collected food and clothing for the effort.  Here's a pic of all the stuff they gave!

This is only a small sampling of the people and organizations who have supported the holiday toy drive and the disaster relief services of the American Red Cross' Tri-County Chapter.  We cannot support our community without these donors, volunteers, organizations and businesses being there every time they are needed.

So thank you, from all of us at the Tri-County Red Cross.  You are truly appreciated.

Here's another school that really came through for us, the Allied Health in Elizabeth. It's a four minute video, but tells a lot obout the kids and the school. It's worth a look!

Many times when we send out our e-mails and blog posts we are asking you to help us fulfill the Red Cross mission. Today we simply want to thank you for all you have done for your community over the past year, and all that you will do in the coming year.

Happy Holidays,
The Volunteers, Donors and Members of the Tri-County Red Cross

Give the Gift of Life this holiday season by making a donation in someone else's name, or buying a class giving life-saving skills for a loved one.

Gift certificates for classes are good for one year (2010), and are can be used for any scheduled class given by the Tri-County Red Cross during the year. Instructions on how to register will be sent with the gift certificate and a Red Cross holiday card.

Now that Barack Obama has taken the oath of office and is the 44th President of the United States, he also serves as the Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross. The Tri-County Red Cross is proud to welcome him as our new Honorary Chairman, and thanks former President George Bush for the past eight years of service.

Today volunteers from the Tri-County Red Cross participated in the American Red Cross Day of Giving where funds were raised across the nation for the Disaster Relief Fund.  By collecting contributions at retail stores throughout the chapter and online, volunteers raised more than $1500 in just three hours.

You can contribute to the national Disaster Relief Fund online below, or by calling Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 on Monday.

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Here are some great pictures of our volunteers and the stores that generously offered us space today.

The Pathmark in Linden was very generous.

Board Chair Doug Reeder and volunteer D'Andra at the Drug Fair in Warren.

The Grullon family (and Nathan Rudy's daughter Kendy) at the QuickChek in Fanwood.

Board member Shel Goldberg at the A&P in Warren.

Terri and Kim Esposito (and Kendy) at the South Plainfield QuickChek.

Counting up the contributions.  Special thanks go to Corinna Krauskopf, our Marketing and Development officer, who coordinated the entire project.  Great job, Corinna!