It's a sure sign of summer

This winter has been much more mild than we're used to here in Western New York. But the relative warmth and lack of snow hasn't stopped us from looking for signs that summer is coming soon. Well, here's one of our favorites: tickets for BASH*2012 are on sale now!!

That's right, the party of the year is exactly three months from today. On June 1st, over 4,000 people will march on our headquarters at 786 Delaware Avenue wearing their best military gear to enjoy food and drink from some of the area's finest restaurants while dancing to music from the DJ's of Signature Entertainment and, of course, a live show from the one and only Lance Diamond!



www.redcrossbash.org

Still not convinced that the BASH is Buffalo's Best Annual Fundraiser (according to Artvoice, which has given us that award five years in a row)? You'll also get the chance to bid on one-of-a-kind auction items including vacations, jewelry, original works of art and much, much more. And if you purchase raffle tickets, you may have the chance to walk away with as much as $10,000.
If you've missed this event the past 13 years, ask a friend who's been to this unique military-themed fundraising party and they'll tell you: the BASH truly is the best way to kick off summer in Western New York! Tickets are limited, so visit www.redcrossbash.org to get yours now, and then hang on to them with a kung-fu grip!!

Disasters come in all sizes

Photo Courtesy ottawacitizen.com

Our thoughts are currently with our friends north of the border, as the Canadian Red Cross is responding to yesterday's derailment of a Via Rail passenger train headed from Niagara Falls to Toronto. Unfortunately, we here in Western New York have some experience with transit disasters, having opened reception centers and provided counsellors following the February 2009 crash of Flight 3407. Three years later, we continue to support the families who lost loved ones that day.

Much like that tragic event in Clarence Center, yesterday's fatal rail accident is receiving a lot of coverage in both the Canadian and local media. On our Facebook page yesterday, however, a fan commented that a fire our volunteers responded to in Buffalo this weekend never made the news. That's often the case with a single family house fire, especially when everyone is fortunate enough to get out safely. However, just because you don't see it in the media doesn't mean that they're any less traumatic for those who suddenly lost everything and may have no place to stay.

The Red Cross is proud to be the organization people turn to in times of need, whether the media is there to tell the story or not. However, as Nettie pointed out in her Facebook comments, we need our volunteers and other supporters in order to perform our mission. Red Cross Month starts on Thursday, so this is a great time to consider joining us so you can be the one helping turn heartbreak into hope the next time a disaster, "large" or "small", hits Western New York.