Another unfortunate first

Every time I respond to a disaster, be it a single-family house fire here in Western New York or a massive response like Hurricane Sandy, chances are I'll see or experience something completely new. That's the nature of disasters: no two are completely alike, and yesterday was no exception.

Monday afternoon, fellow Disaster Action Team member Julie and I drove to the scene of a fire in Hamburg, Erie County. The fire department had already done its job, so we were looking at house numbers to find the correct location. As we pulled up, I said to Julie, "Oh man, it's the one with the 'sold' sign in front." As we began talking with the current resident, we found out he had just moved in and was still in the process of closing on the home. Thankfully, he and his son were not injured, but he was understandably devastated as the "perfect" home he had searched long and hard for was suddenly uninhabitable.

Thanks to your support, we were able to provide this man and his son with food and lodging so they could take a couple days to catch their breath, and the Red Cross will continue to provide support and referrals as they figure out the next steps in their recovery. As always, I am so proud to be a part of an organization that provides a glimmer of hope to people in their darkest hours.

This situation also proves that disasters are never convenient. They can happen anytime, anywhere, so please take the time to prepare now and keep your loved ones as safe as possible.

BASH*2013 Raises Over $352,000 to Support Red Cross Disaster Services

Local volunteers assisting 23 area residents following weekend fires

BUFFALO, NY, June 11, 2013 – BASH*2013 was a huge success, raising $352,00 to support American Red Cross Disaster Services in Erie & Niagara Counties. Over 4,000 “soldiers” marched on the grounds of Red Cross headquarters last Friday, June 7 for the 15^th Anniversary of this unique military-themed event, bidding on auction items donated by various members of the community, enjoyed food and drink from some of Western New York’s finest restaurants, all while dancing to the music of the DJs from Signature Entertainment and a live performance from the one and only Lance Diamond.

“I can’t thank our staff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters enough for making The BASH Buffalo’s party of the summer for the past 15 years,” said Nancy Blaschak, Regional Executive Director. “I especially want to thank our BASH Chairman, Mr. John Yurtchuk, for helping us bring in a record amount of corporate sponsorships this year, and the most important thing is that all the money raised at The BASH will help us prevent, prepare for and respond to disaster right here in Western New York.”

Since BASH*2013 wrapped up at midnight Friday, Red Cross volunteers have responded to three fires in the City of Buffalo, providing immediate emergency assistance including vouchers for temporary housing, food and clothing as well as emotional support to 23 of our neighbors in need. Our Disaster Action Team responds to an average of a fire a day in Erie & Niagara Counties, providing an average of just over $1,000 in direct financial assistance when responding to a single family house fire affecting a family of four. 

More information on BASH*2013, including a full list of sponsors, participating restaurants and other supporters, is available at www.redcross.org/buffalobash. And save the date: the 16^th annual BASH is scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2014!

Red Cross Assists 110 People in Erie and Niagara Counties Following Fires in February

During Red Cross Month, Honor the Everyday Heroes Who Help Our Community

BUFFALO, NY, February 28, 2013 — During Red Cross Month this March, the American Red Cross recognizes the nation’s Everyday Heroes who give of themselves and in some way help their community. Those heroes include everyone who volunteers to be part of our Disaster Action Team (DAT), which has responded to 21 separate fires in Erie and Niagara Counties in February, providing immediate emergency assistance to 110 people.

“Please remember those who help all of us here in Western New York by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Kenneth Turner, Chief Programs Officer. “We want to thank all our heroes during Red Cross Month – our volunteers, blood donors, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.” 

DAT volunteer Diane Sargent on the scene of
a fire on Cazenovia St in Buffalo on February 23

Red Cross assistance following a fire typically includes vouchers for temporary housing, food and clothing, as well as emotional support from trained Disaster Mental Health volunteers. On Friday, February 22, volunteers opened a shelter for more than 27 residents displaced when their Forest Avenue apartment house in Buffalo was destroyed by fire. Earlier that morning, DAT volunteers responded to a call on Timon Street in Buffalo to assist ten people, and the Red Cross continues to support those affected by this tragic fire which claimed the lives of a young child and his mother. The Disaster Action Team was called to a third fire later that afternoon on Rose Street in Buffalo. Those are just three of the 11 fires volunteers have responded to in Erie County in February. During that same time frame, 35 Niagara County residents have received Red Cross assistance following ten separate fires.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

March was first proclaimed as Red Cross Month 70 years ago by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since 1943, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross and there are many different ways to do it,” Turner said. “They can develop a preparedness plan for their household, become a Red Cross volunteer, give blood, or take a Red Cross class, just to name a few.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping people in need.

For more information on how to become an Everyday Hero during Red Cross Month, please visit www.redcross.org/buffaloniagara. 

"Proud to Be"

You're going to be seeing a lot of the American Red Cross around Western New York soon!  At a reception last night here at our beautiful Clement Mansion headquarters, our friends from the Blood Services Region kicked off their "Proud to Be" campaign, designed to raise awareness of the unique contributions the Red Cross makes in this community. The campaign will run throughout 2012 and highlights 35 Erie and Niagara County residents who work with and support the American Red Cross.

"It's a very good time to remember those who have been there through the good and the bad, and for the past 100 years, the American Red Cross has remained a steadfast member of the Western New York community," said Kay E. Schwartz, CEO, American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region.

Western New Yorkers residents joined representatives from the Blood Services Region and this Chapter here last night to enjoy uniquely Buffalo foods (the beef-on-weck and home-baked desserts were especially delicious!) while several "Proud to Be" campaign participants spoke about their experiences with the Red Cross.  We also got a sneak-peak at the "I am Buffalo, I am the Red Cross" materials you'll be seeing on billboards, at bus stations, and in the media throughout the coming months.  The pictures and testimonials are an amazing testament to the long-standing commitment of the Red Cross in Western New York, and we're excited to see that message spread that message throughout the area.

This campaign focuses on our Blood Services Region, but we're "Proud to Be" Western New Yorkers here at the Chapter as well, and we look forward to working together as One Red Cross to continue providing life-saving services to this incredible community!

You didn't want to cook this Saturday anyway!

Do you really want to take the time out of your busy weekend to make dinner?  Since you'll probably be out and about tomorrow anyway, why not let somebody else do the cooking for you?  And here's the best part--you can support the American Red Cross by doing nothing more than enjoying a delicious meal that you didn't have to cook!!

The American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties is teaming up with the Bob Evans Restaurant at 6543 Niagara Falls Boulevard this Saturday for a delicious opportunity.  Between 11am-4pm on Saturday, October 15th, the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in the parking lot.  So on your way into the restaurant, stop in and roll up your sleeves!  Walk-in appointments are always welcome, and the need for blood is constant.

Of course, after giving blood you may be a little hungry.  Once you're done saving a life, you can still support the Red Cross inside the restaurant tomorrow.  Between 6am-10pm, Bob Evans Niagara Falls location will donate 15% of your food to the American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties.  Just pick up a flyer in the Bloodmobile and hand it to your server. 

If you can't give blood, don't worry.  You can still help the Red Cross be there for our WNY neighbors in need--just print the photo below and hand it to your server tomorrow!

So come on out, get yourself some home-cooking without actually having to do the work, and support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties!

Surprise!! Where Were You, Five Years Ago Today?

If you were living in Western New York at the time, you likely have vivid memories of October 12th, 2006.  At the time, I was not yet fortunate enough to be a member of the Red Cross family.  I left for my job at a local tv station that afternoon, thinking it was a little chilly and cursing those pesky white flakes for falling so early in the year.  As the evening wore on my wife called, very concerned.  She was hearing a constant cracking noise and was afraid a tree was going to fall into our house.  Later, she said we had lost power, branches were coming down everywhere, and she was going to a friends house.  That tree eventually did fall into our house, but instead of crashing through it just leaned against the structure.  Others weren't so lucky.

Back at the tv station, the sports office didn't have any windows, so we were pretty isolated from the outside world.  "How bad can it be?" I thought, and in my stubbornness I drove home at the end of the night.  Five years later, I still don't know how I made it.  Everywhere, trees and debris lay in the streets, and all the street lights were out.  Over the next several hours, the damage caused by the October Surprise storm became quite clear.  400,000 Western New Yorkers were without power (ours was out for a week) and 80% of roads in the area were impassable, according to the New York State Thruway Authority.  The impact can still be seen today, as some once tree-lined streets remain empty.

During times like the October Storm, people turn to the Red Cross to turn Heartbreak into Hope.  Even though they had their own cleanup issues to deal with, our Disaster Action Team worked with the emergency management teams of the City of Buffalo and Erie County to open multiple shelters across the area, giving those with nowhere else to turn a warm place to stay.  As always, our volunteers and staff members gave up their time and talents to help their neighbors in need over the days and weeks that followed.

The events of five years ago are called the "October Surprise" because no one saw that storm coming.    It's difficult to think about today with temperatures in the 60's, but we urge you to take steps now to make sure you're prepared before the next disaster strikes.  We have some winter storm safety tips on our website, and encourage you to schedule a free disaster preparedness program at your school, business, or organization.

Everyone who was in Western New York on October 12th, 2006 has their own storm stories.  Please share your October Surprise memories in the comments section here or over on our Facebook page, and when you're done, take a few minutes to make sure that emergency kit is ready to go.  You know, just in case!!

Wild Wing Wednesdays!

It’s Wednesday!! You know what that means… only 2 more days until the weekend! And we’ve got a great way for you to celebrate.

Every Wednesday in August from 4:00pm-11:00pm the Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant at 3035 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst will donate 10% of your bill to the American Red Cross Serving Erie and Niagara Counties!

In order to participate, all you need to do is visit the Buffalo Wild Wings on a Wednesday in August from 4:00pm-11:00pm and present the flyer below to the server (you can print the one below or additional flyers will be available at the restaurant).   Proceeds will help support the vital emergency response and disaster preparedness programs of the American Red Cross. 

Representatives from the American Red Cross will also be on hand to help interested customers learn more about Red Cross services!

Have kids? Customers can also take advantage of Family Night at Buffalo Wild Wings and all children under the age of 12 that order off the kid’s menu eat for just $1.99!

We hope to see you there tonight and every Wednesday in August!

"Be Prepared"

It’s the familiar motto of the Boy Scouts of America: “Be Prepared.”  And it's one that we often harp on here at the American Red Cross.  That's why this past Saturday we partnered with the Scouts of West Seneca to open a shelter during a state-wide Disaster Drill. 

50 Boy Scouts helped by posing as "victims" in the West Seneca Shelter, while 55 other shelters were opened across the state my American Red Cross Chapters.  This drill, while helping our local Boy Scouts hone their incredible acting skills by allowing them to have injuries and other medical problems, allowed volunteers to gain expereience opening shelters and also helped us find areas in our disaster response plans that we need to improve so that when there is a disaster our response will be more effective.

While the "victims" and volunteers were working the shelter in West Seneca, the Chapter here in Buffalo was serving as the Emergency Operations Center, coordinating with regional Red Cross Chapters to make sure that the sheltering efforts across Western New York were running smoothly and fit the needs of the community.

“This drill gave us a chance to test our sheltering capacity, both as a Chapter and as a state,” said Kenneth Turner, Sr. Director of Emergency Services.  “It lets us know what the American Red Cross is capable of doing on any given day if a massive disaster, such as a hurricane on Long Island, were to strike.”

Although it isn't often that we see widespread disasters here in WNY, we did during the October Surprise storm of 2006.  Ever since this disaster, we have been working with Erie County’s Emergency Services, Senior Services, and Health Departments on plans to ensure residents with pre-existing health conditions receive necessary treatment at an emergency shelter.  Saturday's state-wide drill was our first opportunity to engage these new partnerships and set up and test the effectiveness of the Co-Location Sheltering program.   

“We had the opportunity to see how these operations will work, and answer any questions that may arise before we have to deal with an actual emergency,” Turner said.  Less than a week after the disaster drill, those involved will get together to go over what they learned and come up with a strategy to improve operations in the future.  “No matter what else the American Red Cross does following a disaster,” Turner added, “if we don’t shelter well, people will say our response was not successful.”

If you’d like to Join Us as a member of our Disaster Action Team and help us respond to local emergencies and help set up shelters during wide-spread disasters, please contact Mary Walls, Volunteer Coordinator, at 878-2140, or wallsma@usa.redcross.org.