Tri-County Red Cross - Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties in NJ

Tri-County Red Cross Fundraising for National Disasters

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:25:29 +0000

Donate to the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund for local disaster response		Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund for national disaster response		Split your gift equally between American and Tri-County Red Cross disaster response funds
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After responding to more than 60 large-scale disasters in 2008, including a record-breaking tornado season, widespread flooding across the central extensive wildfires, and a devastating hurricane season, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is depleted. This fund allows the Red Cross to provide help whenever and wherever disasters occur. We are calling on you to support the DRF , which will ensure that we can continue our vital work to help those facing disasters across our country.

We have launched a nationwide fundraising campaign to raise an initial $100 million to help victims of recent disasters, including the hurricanes of 2008, meet their immediate needs for food, shelter, counseling and other critical services.

The Tri-County chapter, headquartered in Plainfield and Elizabeth serves 22 communities in Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties and respond to more than 60 local disasters each year, teaches life-saving skills to more than 10,000 people annually, and also supports national disasters with fundraising, volunteer disaster personnel and materials.

You, your company or your organization can donate at any level -- $5 to $50,000 or more -- by using the links above. You can select to send your gift only to national disaster relief, only to disaster relief in the Tri-County Red Cross area, or split it evenly between the two.

Tri-County Red Cross Presents Child Safety Day At Watchung Home Depot

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:38:02 +0000

Come on out tomorrow to the Home Depot at the Watchung Square Mall in Watchung NJ tomorrow, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Child Safety Day as part of National Fire Prevention Month.

Kids will get a fun activity book provided by Target with stickers and lessons on how to be safe in the event of a fire. You can come get yours at the Home depot, or download it from our site here!

Creative Ideas for Planned Giving

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:49:57 +0000

We've described some simple ideas for benefiting the American Red Cross through your estate plan, but it's important to know that the Red Cross can work with you on highly sophisticated arrangements, as well. Here are just a few possibilities:

Pay a lifetime income to your heirs. A charitable trust can be established under your will to provide lifetime income for family members, with the remainder passing to the Red Cross when the trust ends. Your estate would be entitled to a charitable deduction for the value of our right to receive the property in the future. You also can leave funds or securities to the Red Cross and we will agree to provide a charitable gift annuity to a relative or friend for life.

Reduce "death taxes" with a lead trust. You might consider a gift technique that allows you to give the American Red Cross merely the income from investment assets for a number of years, with all assets later returning to your family. This technique - the charitable lead trust - lets you control the eventual distribution of all your property and share a meaningful gift between your family and the American Red Cross. Lead trusts are generally used to reduce federal transfer taxes (gift or estate taxes), and deductions will be especially high if you fund such a trust now, during this time of low interest rates.

Consider beneficiary designations. Don't forget that life insurance policies, IRAs and most financial accounts and brokerage accounts can be made payable to the Red Cross at death without any need to change your will. Remember, too, that revocable living trusts can name the American Red Cross to receive benefits during life and at death.

We encourage you to contact our office at 1-800-797-8022, ext. 5, plndgiving@usa.redcross.org or log on to www.redcrosslegacy.org if any of these ideas are of interest to you, or if you have already made a gift through your estate plan. News of bequest intentions is extremely helpful in our future planning and gives us the opportunity to thank you.

Don't Miss the Last Chance Golf Outing Fundraiser for the Tri-County Red Cross

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:21:29 +0000

There's just one month left from the Tri-County Red Cross's inaugural golf outing, the Last Chance 2008 Golf Tournament held on October 20, 2008 at Watchung's Twin Brooks Country Club.

"This may be your last chance for a major golf outing in 2008, a full day of fun, golf and entertainment," said Tri-County Red Cross chapter chairman Doug Reeder of Warren. "We'll serve you brunch, 18 holes of golf, an open bar and end the day with a dinner reception and silent auction."

All proceeds from the golf tournament go to support disaster relief efforts of the Tri-County Red Cross in Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties. Golf prizes include golf bags, Dell Computer, Bose Stereo and a $50,000 hole in one contest.

The Tri-County chapter responds to more than 60 local disasters every year, and has disaster volunteers serving in Mississippi and Texas responding to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. For instance, Winnie Clark, her daughters and their children lost their home to a fire last year, and her son John explained what it meant to have the Tri-County Red Cross there to help.

"I was on the phone with my mother, and she was telling me they had no idea where they were going to stay. Then she said, 'The Red Cross just got here' and I knew it was going to be OK. Thank God the Red Cross was there for my family."

Last Chance 2008 Golf Tournament sponsors, golfers and silent auction participants make the Red Cross Disaster Relief program possible, helping families like Winnie's recover from disaster.

NY Giants Quarterback Eli Manning Urges You To Support the American Red Cross

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:38:11 +0000

NY Giants Quarterback Eli Manning is a celebrity spokesman for the American Red Cross, and urges you to support our efforts to respond to disasters during this hurricane season and beyond. You can contribute by volunteering or donating below.

Another great way to help and have fun is to join the Ti-County Red Cross Last Chance 2008 Golf Tournament as a golfer, sponsor or silent auction donor.

Donate to the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund for local disaster response		Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund for national disaster response		Split your gift equally between American and Tri-County Red Cross disaster response funds
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Tri-County Red Cross Participates in Newark Liberty International Airport Disaster Drill

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:21:34 +0000

September 12, 2008 - The Tri-County Red Cross participated in the annual Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Disaster Drill along with local, county, state and federal government agencies including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Transit Security Authority (TSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Newark and Elizabeth Fire and Police departments.

The Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team members were on the scene providing canteen services to these participants as well as providing mental health services to both the "victims" of the disaster as well as the responders.

Here are some pictures of the event:

Donate to the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund for local disaster response		Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund for national disaster response		Split your gift equally between American and Tri-County Red Cross disaster response funds
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A Very Active September for the Tri-County Red Cross

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:42:02 +0000

September is not even two weeks old and the Tri-County Red Cross has been very active providing disaster preparedness and relief.

Over the Labor Day weekend two Tri-County Red Cross volunteers -- Terri Esposito and Chuck Sweetman -- were dispatched to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to support shelters and relief efforts in expectation of Hurrican Gustav. Fortunately the damage was much less than expected, but there was still significant need.

Rather than turn around and return to New Jersey after most people were able to return home, Terri and Chuck stayed on to assist in preparations for Hurricane Ike, which beat up parts of Florida and currently is buffetting the Texas Coast. Chuck, a mental health specialist, is in Florida for the cleanup and Terri is in Texas helping people through the worst of the storm.

On Wednesday the chapter responded to a major apartment fire in Scotch Plains which displaced four families and resulted in significant injuries to three Plainfield residents who were employed at the complex where the fire broke out. The 12 family members were provided with hotel rooms and enough funding to purchase food for a week and two changes of clothing. More residents are receiving assistance as the damage is assessed.

More coverage of the fire and the Red Cross response is in the Star Ledger and Courier News.

In order to be able to respond to disasters like these the Tri-County Red Cross engages in preparedness efforts, training volunteers well in advance of disasters and taking part in exercises with other disaster relief entities to ensure we are all ready should the worst occur.

Today more than three dozen Red Cross volunteers and staff are participating in a disaster drill at the Newark Liberty Airport. The Tri-County Red Cross is providing volunteers, materials and food for the exercise which is intended to test our plans for responding to a catastrophe at the regions largest airport. The airport is situated in both Newark and Elizabeth, NJ, and is in both the Northern New Jersey Red Cross and the Tri-County Red Cross.

You can support all these efforts -- national disaster response, local disaster relief and regional preparedness -- by donating $25 or more using one of the buttons below. We receive no government funding, yet are required by both the federal and state government to provide disaster relief. We are able to do so only though the gifts of our fantastic volunteers and donors.

Please consider making a gift of $25 or more to the American Red Cross, Tri-County Red Cross, or both.

Donate to the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund for local disaster response		Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund for national disaster response		Split your gift equally between American and Tri-County Red Cross disaster response funds
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How To Donate To The American Red Cross Disaster Funds

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:46:40 +0000

The Tri-County Red Cross raises funds for both its own local Disaster Fund and for the American Red Cross Disaster Fund. Gifts given to the local fund support disaster preparedness and relief, including the 62 house fires we responded to in the last year. More than 100 families were able to have shelter, food and clothing just when they needed it and without delay due to the volunteer efforts of our Disaster Action Teams and gifts from people like you.

Gifts for the American Red Cross Disaster Fund go to support larger disasters such as the flooding of Bound Brook, Hurrican Ike, 9/11 and others that are beyond the ability of a single Red Cross chapter to respond.

Using the links below you can choose to give locally, nationally or to split your gift between the two. Your gift of $25 or more helps us make a difference in American lives every day.

Donate to the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Fund for local disaster response		Donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund for national disaster response		Split your gift equally between American and Tri-County Red Cross disaster response funds
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Red Cross Responds to Scotch Plains Apartment Fire

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:44:08 +0000

The Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Team responded to a major apartment fire in Scotch Plains today. We are providing support to at least a dozen people and expect more people may need our assistance as they arrive home from work.

The Red Cross will provide each family with shelter and money for seven days of food and two changes of clothing. We expect to be spending thousands of dollars to provide the support these families need in order to recover from losing their homes.

Funding for disaster relief comes completely through local donations from individuals, businesses and organizations. Please consider donating $25 or more to replenish the fund to ensure the Tri-County Red Cross is always prepared to respond to disasters in our community.

Coverage in the Star Ledger

Coverage in the Courier News

Tri-County Red Cross Was On Alert for Hannah

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:04:02 +0000

Your gift will go to preventing, preparing and responding to disasters in Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties.

The Tri-County Red Cross, which has two of its Disaster Action Team Leaders responding to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Gustav, was ready this weekend for Hannah. Fortunately there was no need locally to activate Disaster Action Team members locally.

However, the chapter was in contact with the Union County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and was placed on standby by the North Plainfield OEM after localized flooding threatened a number of homes. More than a dozen Red Cross volunteers responded that they were ready to staff shelters immediately if the need arose, and many more were ready to work throughout the weekend.

The Red Cross also responded to a family flooded out of their home in Rahway, but ultimately the family was able to find housing without our assistance.

The Tri-County Red Cross was also in touch with OEMs in towns with history of flooding, including Green Brook in Somerset County and Cranford in Union County.

If you are interested in being trained in disaster relief and response so we can be ready in the event another storm hits our communities, please contact the Tri-County Red Cross Emergency Services Department at (908) 353-2500 or disaster@tricountyredcross.org.

Please Support The American Red Cross Disaster Fund

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:32:43 +0000

You can donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund using the Google Checkout link below, by calling (908) 756-6414, or mailing a check to Tri-County Red Cross, 332 W. Front Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060. Please be sure to mark the check or tell the receptionist that your contribution is for the American Red Cross Disaster Fund to ensure the money goes there.

You can also split your contribution, if you prefer, to the local Tri-County Red Cross chapter. We will honor your wishes as to where the money is dedicated.

American Red Cross Response to Hurricane Gustav

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:59:30 +0000

All funds donated from this button go to support Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricanes Gustav and Hannah and other 2008 Hurricane Relief

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I want to reach you before Gustav's landfall to update you on exactly how the American Red Cross is responding. The storm is barreling towards a wide swath of Gulf Coast states, including communities and major cities battered by Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

Without a moment's time to waste, we launched a massive effort beginning more than 10 days ago...

Mobilizing thousands of staff and volunteers from states across the country including Maine, South Dakota, Tennessee, Oregon, and California.
Moving large amounts of supplies including:
- More than 470,000 blankets
- Nearly 525,000 cots (including accessible cots, and other essential equipment to ensure accessibility)
- More than 700,000 prepackaged meals and more than 200 mobile feeding trucks
- The Red Cross is ready to open nearly 500 shelters across 4 states within the storm's projected path with the ability to shelter a total of nearly 166,000 people

This is our largest relief mobilization effort since Hurricane Katrina. The anticipated cost is already more than $30 million.

Please support our Disaster Relief Fund that enables us to respond to the Hurricanes of 2008. We're concerned for the millions of residents at risk with Gustav - their homes, their families, their livelihoods. We care about every one of them and they can be assured they are our #1 priority as they face this impending disaster. We'll be there to help them recover and cope with what happens over the next 24 hours, the next weeks and months.

Please Support Hurricane Gustav Relief Efforts

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:25:36 +0000

All funds donated from this button go to support Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricanes Gustav and Hannah and other 2008 Hurricane Releif

The American Red Cross is mobilizing to support the people who are being affected by Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf region of the United States. There is a great need for support, as entire cities and regions -- including New Orleans, the Alabama and Texas Coasts and other communities -- have been evacuated.

The American Red Cross has already opened shelters for tens of thousands of affected Americans, and they need our help to be sure that no one goes without support and help.

Four volunteer Disaster Action Team Members from the Tri-County Red Cross have already been notified they will be mobilized, and we will have more on that when the time comes.

Today please consider taking one of the following actions:

Donate directly to the Hurricane Relief Effort with the button above
Arrange a blood drive in your community by contacting Victor Webb at (908) 756-6414 or webbv@usa.redcross.org
Put your name on the list to be trained in disaster relief and response in case similar disasters occur in the future by calling Santiago Soto at (908) 353-2500 or sotos@usa.redcross.org. All disaster training is free for students, companies and organizations who want to be ready to support their communities in times of crisis.

Please contribute today. Every $10, $25, $100 or more combines together to provide relief and support for those in need.

Tri-County Red Cross Responds to Two Elizabeth Fires in One Week

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:01:20 +0000

Elizabeth (August 26, 2008) Two fires this week in Elizabeth required the services of the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team.

Thursday August 21, a restaurant fire sent the Harris family living above scrambling for safety. Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team Volunteers, Frank D'Amore and Joe Czarnecki responded to the scene and provided emergency housing and financial support to purchase food and clothing. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and with the help of the Tri-County Red Cross, the Harris family has food, clothing and a place to stay as they move on from this local disaster.

Monday August 25 an apartment fire on Kilsyth Road affected the residence of the Castro family. Their apartment suffered severe smoke and water damage, preventing their return once the fire was extinguished. Fortunately, the Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded and provided the Castro family with the means to purchase new clothing and food while they stay with family.

"It is really rewarding to be in the position to help people when they are most vulnerable - after a disaster," said Santiago Soto, Senior Director of Services for the Tri-County Red Cross. "Both of these families can focus on the recovery because we were there to provide them with the essentials. It is empowering for everybody affected by the disaster; 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 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 Responds for Plainfield Family After Apartment Fire

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:57:24 +0000

PLAINFIELD (August 20, 2008) A single mother with three children had just been misplaced due to a fire in her apartment. The call came in at 5:30 PM and South Plainfield Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team Volunteer, Terri Esposito responded.

Plainfield resident Kelly Cooper, and her three daughters ages 15, 12 and 10, were displaced from their apartment when a candle set fire to curtains in her bathroom and spread to the hallway.

The Tri-County Red Cross provided emergency housing and financial support to purchase food as the Cooper Family begins to pick up the pieces from this disaster.

"Terri is always ready to step up and respond to local disasters in our chapter, ensuring every family receives help," said Nathan Rudy, CEO of the Tri-county Red Cross. "The Cooper family has a place to sleep and food to eat thanks to Terri's dedication and our donor's support."

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.