Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross332 West Front Street • Plainfield, NJ 07060 • (908) 756 6414
16 Jefferson Avenue • Elizabeth, NJ 07201 • (908) 353 2500
Elizabeth, NJ: The Tri-County Red Cross has responded to a multi-family fire in Elizabeth on June 29, 2009. Three families on Henry Street, including Eugene & Florence Meyers and their three children, ages 19, 9 & 7 were displaced from their homes and provided food, clothing and short-term housing assistance by the American Red Cross.
ELIZABETH, NJ (May 20, 2009) - The Tri-County Red Cross provided shelter, clothing and food relief to 12 families who lost their homes to fire in Elizabeth, NJ yesterday.The original call to the Red Cross was to assist three families, but as the scale of the disaster was realized the totals grew to 12 familes - 21 adults and 16 children left homeless. The fire occurred at about 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19th.
"The disaster volunteers worked more than 10 hours assessing the situation, comforting the families so that everyone would have roofs over their heads, food in their stomachs and clothing on their backs," said Nathan Rudy, Tri-County Red Cross CEO."We're especially pleased that we were able to address all language issues and to ensure that the many children under four years old were quickly given safe and secure shelter in extremely tiring circumstances."
The direct disaster relief to the families totaled almost $10,000, significantly depleting the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund as we head into hurricane season.The Disaster Fund is completely supported by local individuals, businesses and organizations donations.
On average the Tri-County Red Cross responds to more than one disaster a week, with most disasters occurring in the winter when space heaters, candles and overloaded electrical outlets cause home fires.Other local disasters the Red Cross responds to include flooding, structural collapses and man-made disasters.Hundreds of families rely on the generosity of Red Cross donors and volunteers throughout the greater UnionCounty area when they are displaced from their home annually.
Donors wishing to help replenish the Disaster Fund for future disasters can do so donating online at http://www.tricountyredcross.org/donate.shtml, or by calling (908) 756-6414 or using this button below.
The Tri-County Red Cross is also actively seeking new Disaster Action Team members in partnership with the Union County Office of Emergency Management.Via a grant, the Red Cross is committed to training 500 to 750 new disaster volunteers by June 30, 2010.If you are interested in receiving free disaster response training please contact Michael Prasad at prasadm@usa.redcross.org or (908) 756-6414.
There have been five cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu) confirmed in New Jersey, and public health departments are addressing the issue. The Tri-County Red Cross and the American Red Cross are monitoring the situation, and the Tri-County Red Cross has offered to assist the Union County Health Department should it need assistance.
In the meantime, if you have questions regarding the flu or New Jersey's response, please call the Department of Health and Senior Services new hotline on the issue at 1-866-321-9571.
Stocking extra food, water and supplies at home will reduce the need to go out should this swine flu strain become more widespread and schools or businesses temporarily close.
The Red Cross recommends storing a two-week supply of food, water and household necessities such as laundry detergent and toilet paper. A gallon of water per person per day should be stored in clean plastic containers. Family preparation steps should also include storing formula for infants, food for special nutritional needs, essential medicines and medical items, and extra food for pets.
On March 6th Investor's Savings Bank employees from throughout New Jersey donated $5 each to the Red Cross to be allowed to wear jeans to the office. It seems like a little thing to do, but together it added up to more than $1000 for local disaster relief to be split between five northern New Jersey chapters. The project was done as part of the Tri-County Red Cross March is Red Cross effort.
Here Maria Santos, manager at the Clark Investor's Savings Bank and a Tri-County Red Cross board member, presents the check to Nathan Rudy, Tri-County Red Cross Executive Director.
The Tri-County Red Cross helped a family of six when they had a small apartment fire in Plainfield, NJ on March 20th. No one was injured and the family should be able to return to their home after a few days. The Tri-County Red Cross is taking care of their temporary housing and clothing needs. Thanks to the Walt Disney Company for their donation of Mickey Mouse plush toys for the children who are our disaster clients.
Home fires are the biggest local disaster in our area. The Tri-County Red Cross funds its disaster response completely with contributions from local individuals, organizations and businesses. Please consider contributing $25, $50 or more to help replenish the disaster fund.
The Tri-County Red Cross serves 22 communities in three New Jersey counties: Union County, NJ:
Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth,
Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains,
Union, Winfield Middlesex County, NJ: Dunellen, Edison (NW), South Plainfield Somerset County, NJ: Green Brook, North Plainfield, Warren, Watchung
The direct disaster relief to the families totaled almost $10,000, significantly depleting the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund as we head into hurricane season.
