Volunteer of the Month

The Tri-County Red Cross announced today the class of 2009 Red Cross HEROES to be honored at its South Beach Gala on April 25th. The honorees include an entire cross-section of the donors, volunteers and businesses that make Red Cross disaster prevention, preparedness and relief possible in the Union, Somerset and Middlesex communities served by the Tri-County Red Cross.

"More than half a million people in 22 towns rely on the Tri-County Red Cross to be there when disaster strikes, ready and able to respond," said Tri-County Red Cross Executive Director Nathan Rudy. "Without people like our 2009 class of HEROES we would not be able to deliver, and I am proud to honor them at our Gala."

The 2009 Class of Honorees are as follows:

Honoree	Representing	Business/Community
Marie Bradley	Lifetime HERO	Green Brook
Joe Burris	Community Supporter	Sleepy Hollow Realtors, Plainfield
Zenon Christodolou	Local Business	Creative Color, Garwood
Joseph Czarnecki	Local Disaster Volunteer	Westfield
Shally Madhok	Youth Volunteer	Edison
Colleen Mahr	Government	Mayor, Fanwood
Pablo Munoz	Blood Services	Superintendent, Elizabeth Schools
Chuck Sweetman	National Disaster Volunteer	Rahway
Tim Williams	Corporate Support	Elizabethtown Gas, Union

The Gala, held at the Westwood on North Avenue in Garwood on the evening of April 25, will not be a traditional affair, but a casual lounge like atmosphere with mood lighting, soft seating, food stations, and Latin music provided by the famous Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso. There will be a silent auction, but no presentations or long speeches.

Honorees will be presented at the April 25^th Gala to guests via an "ambassador" to allow for individual conversations and the opportunity to answer any questions. Seating will be open and diverse ranging from tall bar tables to couches and lounge chairs, allowing for a natural flow of people around the event. All attendees are encouraged to mingle, interact in a very informal and casual atmosphere. There will be a silent auction as well as dancing complete with salsa dancing lessons.

Tickets for the gala, sponsorships and ad book entries can be purchased online at http://www.tricountyredcross.org/gala or by contacting Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 or krauskopfc@usa.redcross.org.

The Tri-County Red Cross released an Internet browser toolbar that helps people find information on their local Red Cross, and raises money for local disaster relief.  Each time you search using the toolbar the Tri-County Red Cross receives a couple pennies.

It doesn't sound like much, but if 100 people search 20 times each day that's more than $10,000 in a year.1,000 people with the toolbar and we raise $100,000.  10,000 people and we raise $1,000,000!

OK, so we're not going to raise a million dollars a year.  But there's no reason why we can't raise thousands of dollars a year through this and other small fundraising efforts.  So please install it on your browser and search to your heart's content.

Firefox | Internet Explorer

Tri-County Red Cross Disaster Action Team Leader Terri Esposito received a citation for her dedicated volunteer service to Somerset County disaster clients. Presenting the certificate is Somerset County Freeholder Director Peter Palmer.

Terri Esposito, volunteer Disaster Action Team Leader from South Plainfield, was named our Volunteer of the Year for 2008 at our annual meeting in June. Today Gannett published an article about Terri in the Courier News and the Home News Tribune. This picture accompanied it. You can click through to the story or read the text after the jump.

Shally Madhok of Edison was on a mission when she volunteered at the Tri-County Red Cross Plainfield Office: to complete 100 hours of voluntary service in three weeks time.  

Shally was confident that she could learn and manage any project given to her including both databases and their intricate programs; research and development of a comprehensive community event calendar; and most recently she updated the design and information for our chapter volunteer brochure.

"Shally has impressed me with her tenacity on each project she is given," said Corinna Krauskopf, Development and Marketing Officer.  "She has mastered programs and managed projects at a level normally found with volunteers who have been with us for years, not weeks."

Unfortunately Shally's time with us is limited to four weeks because she is due to return to India to complete her education.  But in her time here, the work she has accomplished will leave lasting effects through the chapter and its team.  We are all sorry to see her go and she has promised to return to us when her education is done in India.

Shally Madhok is truly a great example of what a dedicated volunteer can do with the Tri-County Red Cross regardless of background, experience or age.  She is well on her way to reaching her goal of 100 hours with the Tri-County Red Cross.

Did we mention she is only 14?

If you would like to volunteer with the Tri-County Red Cross, please contact Youth and Volunteer Services Director Victor Webb at 908-756-6414 or webbv@usa.redcross.org.