Two from Western & Central Red Cross Deploying to Help in Winter Storm Relief

UPDATED: A third Regional volunteer is also deploying to assist in the efforts

A third American Red Cross volunteer from the Western and Central New York Region is deploying to Boston, MA to help in the winter storm relief efforts. Diane Sargent of Lockport will be doing Disaster Assessment, going into affected areas to gauge where help is needed most.

Sargent joins Regional Disaster Program Officer Kenneth J. Turner of Buffalo, who will serve as Divisional Management Response Team (DMRT) Director, and volunteer Sarah Perkins of Pittsford, who will serve as Disaster Assessment Lead. All three recently served in leadership roles during the response to the Western New York Snowstorm in November 2014.

As people begin to dig out from the Northeast blizzard, the American Red Cross is helping, making sure people have food and a safe place to stay. The Red Cross opened or supported 24 shelters in Massachusetts, where more than 340 people spent Tuesday night in Red Cross and independent shelters. Red Cross workers also served more than 4,800 meals and snacks in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

While this storm did not affect Western & Central New York, the American Red Cross urges everyone to take this time to prepare themselves and their loved ones for disasters like winter storms. The Red Cross is partnering with New York State to offer free Citizen Preparedness Corps Training. A trained Red Cross representative will provide a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters. A 15-minute online version of this program is also available at http://prepare.ny.gov/online-citizen-preparedness-training  (select Red Cross from the referral dropdown menu), or to schedule an in-person Citizen Preparedness Corps training, please contact Individual and Community Preparedness Specialist Veronica Chiesi Brown at 585-241-4405 or veronica.chiesibrown@redcross.org.

The Red Cross relies on financial contributions to provide help and comfort to disaster victims anywhere, anytime. You can help people affected by disasters like winter storms, home fires and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

WNY Red Cross Deploys Two Volunteers to Boston

Response efforts continue in Boston and Texas

BUFFALO, NY, April 18, 2013 - The American Red Cross is supporting people in West, Texas after the plant explosion there while continuing to help first responders and those affected by the marathon bombings which occurred earlier this week in Boston.

Jay Bonafede of Tonawanda will be flying to Boston Friday morning to work in Public Affairs. Volunteer Tara Hughes of Amherst, the Red Cross NYS Disaster Mental Health chair, has been in Boston since Tuesday morning, providing emotional support to those affected by this tragedy.

MARATHON BOMBINGS In Boston, the Red Cross is providing emotional support and health and spiritual care services at the various community vigils and supporting a family assistance center. Red Cross Blood Services has provided about 500 blood products to several hospitals in the Boston area. Nearly 150 disaster workers have deployed to provide support and comfort. Since Monday, the Red Cross has served about 7,000 meals and snacks, distributed relief items like blankets and comfort kits and provided hundreds of mental health and health services to those affected.

WEST, TEXAS EXPLOSION Within hours of the plant explosion in Texas, the Red Cross opened a shelter and began supporting a community response center. Red Cross disaster workers have been deployed from all over the state and are providing emotional support and health services with relief items such as comfort kits and water enroute to the region. Red Cross Blood Services is providing blood products to help those injured in the explosion.

HOW TO HELP This week’s tragedies prove that an emergency can happen anywhere, at anytime. While the Red Cross helps in Texas and Boston, it is preparing to respond to severe weather and flooding in other areas of the country. To support Red Cross disaster response, people can donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief at www.redcross.org or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. People who want to make a donation to directly support victims of the Boston Marathon bombings can visit www.theonefundboston.org.       

The Red Cross has enough blood in its inventory now to support both the situation in Texas as well as Boston but reminds everyone that the need for blood is constant. Those who are eligible to give blood are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting www.redcrossblood.org.     

Many rushed in to provide immediate help for victims of the explosions in Texas and Boston. People can register for a Red Cross First Aid/CPR class at www.redcross.org or take the Family First Aid and CPR class online by visiting www.redcross.org/takeaclass. They can also download the free Red Cross First Aid App which puts simple lifesaving information for first aid emergencies in the hands of smart phone and tablet users. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

STEPS TO HELP COPE It has been a difficult week for people across the country. In times like these, it is important for people to connect with and support each other. The Red Cross has information people can use to cope in the aftermath of these tragedies. For free counseling or support which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, people can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.