How To Contribute to the Tri-County Red Cross

All of those resources are funded by generous donations from the community, from people like you and businesses like yours. We receive no government money to provide these services though we are required by Congress to provide disaster relief.

More than 85 percent of your contribution goes to local disaster relief and community programs right in the Tri-County chapter.

Here are a number of ways you can contribute to the Tri-County Red Cross as we work together to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters in our 22 communities.

1. Make a Monetary Contribution
2. Opportunities for Businesses to Support the Chapter
3. Volunteer or Intern as a Marketing/Fundraising Specialist
4. Make a Planned Gift
5. Donate Clothing, Cars or Other Items

Thank you for your support of the Tri-County Red Cross. Our donors and volunteers make our mission possible.

Make a Monetary Contribution

It's never been easier to make a monetary contribution to the Tri-County Red Cross. We have a number of ways you can contribute.

• Make a one-time online contribution of any amount. From $25 to $25,000, this is an easy and quick way to give.
• Make a recurring monthly online contribution of any amount. Your support of $25 a month doesn't seem like much, but together is makes $300. $50 a month is $600! $100 a month is $1200 and membership in the Clara Barton Society.
• Mail a check of any amount to our office. In the traditional way, you can write a check to the Tri County Red Cross and mail it to 332 W. Front Street, Plainfield NJ 07060.
• Call in with a credit card of electronic check. Just call Corinna Krauskopf, our Development officer, at 908-756-6414 and she'll walk you through the process.

Opportunities for Businesses

Much of the support for the Tri-County Red Cross comes from our excellent business partners, who contribute money, volunteer hours, material goods and promotion to support the Red Cross mission. We appreciate these generous donors, from the local dry-cleaner to supporters like Merck, Schering Plough, Elizabethtown Gas and others.

You can help your business make a difference whether you are the owner, an executive or a regular employee. Here are a few suggestions:

• Become an annual supporter of the Day of Red Cross program. Your business' support of $5,000 pays for a full day of disaster relief, shelter and food for victims, volunteer disaster training, first aid and CPR classes, medical transportation and more. In return you pick the day of the year you sponsor, we will promote your business year round on our website and vehicles, and we will partner with you to help promote your day. Contact Corinna Krauskopf, our Development officer, at 908-756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org for more information.
• Make a contribution to the Tri-County Red Cross. This is one of the simplest ways, and all it takes is a few minutes to write the check or donate online. All contributions are greatly accepted.
• Take advantage of employee giving programs. If you are an employer, you can add the Tri-County Red Cross to your employee giving programs such as matching gift, dollars for doers or payroll contribution. If you are an employee and contribute, be sure to tell us your employer so we can identify if there is a matching gift or other program to enhance your contribution.
• Put the Tri-County Red Cross in Your Marketing Plan. Do you mail out a lot of pieces to your customers and prospective clients? We'll provide you with flyers you can insert at no cost to you that will promote the Tri-County Red Cross while showing your business is a good community citizen. Do you advertise publicly? If so, we can provide you with a Tri-County Red Cross logo and message to put in the corner to promote our web site and events.
• Sponsor the Tri-County Red Cross. We have numerous sponsorship opportunities, including on our vehicles which make 10,000 medical trips a year, on our website which receives thousands of hits a day, on our newsletter which goes out to more than 5,000 people, and more. Contact Corinna Krauskopf, our Development officer, at 908-756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org for more information.
• Place a clothing bin in your retail parking lot. The chapter receives a contribution for each clothing bin placed in a public location for people to donate their worn clothes, and more for the clothes that are collected. Businesses and community locations that place a bin can be assured our supplier will keep the location clean and come as often as necessary to empty the bins

Volunteer or Intern as a Marketing/Fundraising Specialist

If you have experience in marketing or fundraising, or are just interested in learning more or helping out, we'd love to have you on board with us!

Many of our programs and events - including the HEROES campaign and Clara Barton Society -- are chaired and managed by volunteers. Participating in the planning and implementation of these important fundraising efforts not only assists the Red Cross in funding its work in the community, but can also be personally rewarding and develop professional skills.

We also need volunteers and interns to help staff and market our services at street fairs and community events, design our website and brochures, plan new programs and events, and provide advice to our staff on improving our work.

If you are a high school or college student interested in a Tri-County Red Cross internship, please contact Senior Director of Operations Denise Neto at (908) 756-6414 or netod@usa.redcross.org. A Red Cross internship is an excellent addition to any college application or job letter.

If you are out of school and wish to use your skills as a volunteer Unon our marketing and fundraising committee, please contact Volunteer Director Victor Webb at (908) 756-6414 or webbv@usa.redcross.org.

Make a Planned Gift

For people nearing or in retirement it's often hard to support the Tri-County Red Cross in the way they would like. Planned giving is a way to know you are helping the Red Cross without impacting your fixed income.

Whether you want to include the Red Cross in your will, make a gift of an appreciated stock to save on taxes, or create an annuity that guarantees an income for life you can help the Red Cross mission while making smart financial decisions for yourself and your family.

Financial planners and accountants can be very helpful by pointing out the benefits of charitable gift planning to their clients, and offering the Red Cross as one of the possible beneficiaries. If you are a financial professional and want more information on specific Red Cross programs please contact Julie McIsaac, JD, our planned giving officer, at 609-951-2122 or mcisaacj@usa.redcross.org.

Individuals can also contact Julie with any questions. She will be happy to come out to meet with you personally, your civic or community group, a seniors organization or anyone else who could benefit from her advice. You can learn more about planned giving to benefit the American Red Cross mission, or request you own Estate Planning Guide online.

Donate a Car, Clothes or Other Items

While the Tri-County Red Cross can't accept most small items, certain material gifts are beneficial to the chapter.

• Donate your car to the Tri-County Red Cross. Got an old car you don't need anymore? Donate your car to the Tri-County Red Cross and receive a tax deduction for the sale value. The chapter receives needed revenue and you get a tax break. Visit the link above, or call 1-87-RED-CROSS and they will come pick up your car in just one or two days.
• Donate used clothing. The Tri-County Red Cross has clothing bins throughout the chapter, and your donations of used clothing goes to support our mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. You can visit any of the bins, or call 1-866-468-7228 to arrange a pickup at your home or office.
• Donate office equipment. If you have quality office equipment such as computers, printers or copiers please contact Corinna Krauskopf, our Development officer, at 908-756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org for more information.