After 60 years of volunteering, married DAT responders have no plans to slow down

Elizabeth Shook has been volunteering with the American Red Cross since she was 16 years old.

“My mother sort of dragged me into it to start with. So, it was a family thing,” she explained.

She started out as a water safety instructor before moving to training services, instructing others on CPR and First Aid. When getting down on the floor became too much, she made the transition to Disaster Cycle Services assisting with casework following disasters like home fires and then made the move to staff services.

In total, that “family thing” has spanned 60 years.

About ten years into it, she met and married her husband Bob who she then proceeded to “drag into it.”

“When I started, Beth always needed an extra person to make the class roster when she was teaching, so I ended up getting a lot of training,” Bob laughed.

And you know how the old saying goes, the couple that volunteers together, stays together.

Married for 50 years, the couple based out of Allegany County have worked together on everything from Disaster Action Team (DAT) responses to major national disaster operations, highlighting the many diverse opportunities available to those looking to volunteer.

“We worked together as a DAT team very often,” Elizabeth explained. “There are a number of jobs that you can do totally remotely from home and some of them are the hardest to fill. Those volunteers who have a disability or need to operate from home are just as important to use as the people who go out. DAT dispatchers can work totally from home alongside the teams who go out.”

The couple used to responding to disasters themselves were also on the receiving end of a response early on. In 1972 Bob recalled that when 12 feet of flood water damaged the couple’s home, Red Cross volunteers just like them were on the scene to provide shelter and meals until they could repair the damage.

“We can relate to folks who have disasters.”

Reflecting on their evolving roles with the Red Cross over the years, Bob recalled one of their first DAT responses together and what it meant to them as a couple.

“One of the biggest we had was a fire in Cuba. A 15-apartment building and about 45 people impacted. I worked on ten of the cases that day. It was all taken care of in about four hours. It means a lot. You don’t get a better feeling than helping somebody.”

That feeling rings true even more so around the holidays for the couple. Recounting the Christmas they spent together volunteering in New York City in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Elizabeth led a group of volunteers, spending six months working on the operation helping to input data for more than 30,000 people impacted. Making it a family affair once again, Bob came to spend the holiday with her, both opting to use the time to help others.

“I was able to go and work as an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) driver delivering meals,” Bob explained.

“But he didn’t realize part of that was climbing 32 floors to get to some of the apartments, though!”

And 60 years later with no plans to slow down any time soon, the couple hopes their story will inspire others to make volunteering with the Red Cross in any capacity a family affair this holiday season – and beyond.

“The core of Red Cross volunteers have a certain value of humanity that they all share,” Bob explained. “Different religions, colors, ages but we are all caring people.”

“They care about people and they want to help – you can count on that,” Elizabeth smiled. “We keep going because of the people we help. There is no greater satisfaction that knowing you can enable others to pick up the threads of their lives and move forward.”

From DAT responses to local blood drives, supporting military veterans and their families to national disaster operations, you can learn more about volunteer opportunities – both in-person and virtual – here or by contacting RecruitWNY@redcross.org

 

 

Red Cross Disability Integration Helps Indiana Volunteer Serve

EDITORS NOTE: Regional Communications Officer Jay Bonafede recently returned from a one-week deployment to Indiana, working with the flood relief operation.

“My husband and son are disabled, so advocacy is something I’ve been doing on their behalf for years,” says American Red Cross volunteer Dana Goldsmith. “To do so on behalf of the Red Cross is really exciting.”

Volunteers J.R. Raines of Indiana and Dana Goldsmith of Colorado
are leading Disability Integration during the Indiana flood response
in spring 2018. "This is long overdue, and it overlaps with
everything I learned in other activities," Goldsmith says. "We talk
to everyone on a relief operation." Photo and story by:
Jay Bonafede, American Red Cross

Goldsmith is advocating as the Disability Integration lead for her home Red Cross chapter, region, and division at home in Colorado. In late February 2018, she deployed to Indiana to help lead Disability Integration during the flood relief operation, along with local volunteer J.R. Raines.

“There’s an expertise level that comes with people that live with it every day. Who to call, where to find resources,” Goldsmith says. “It’s about bringing that disability piece to the table in everything we do. That’s our goal.”

Disability Integration, which the Red Cross began about a year and a half ago, means more than simply making sure shelters are accessible. In Indiana, for example, Goldsmith and Raines are putting together a resource guide for the region to identify additional support available for people with disabilities that will help long after this disaster response is wrapped up, and are working to build relationships with the Center for Independent Living to use their facilities for future training.

“We’re trying to make volunteerism more inclusive,” Goldsmith says. “Training, classes, locations, it all has to be accessible. People want to help, but there’s not a lot of agencies that can do that. We can.”

“I do a lot of positions with the Red Cross,” says Raines. “Disaster Action Team, Services to Armed Forces. I wanted to be in the military, this is my way to be in the military.”

FDNY Heeds the Call in South Carolina

Editors note: Chief Communications Officer Jay Bonafede is one of 22 Western and Central New York Region volunteers who have been have been part of the flood relief efforts in South Carolina:

FDNY DART team members assess the flood damage outside
a home on Jackson Bluff Road in Conway, S.C, where the
roadway is still partially flooded weeks after the storm. 

“Tell us what you need, we’ll get it done.”

Doug Bainton and the other members of the New York City Fire Department’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) have been getting it done as Red Cross partners for 25 years. Currently, 13 active duty and retired FDNY members are in South Carolina, where they’ve been providing relief and comfort to people after this month’s historic flooding since they arrived on October 12.

“This is kind of what we do,” Bainton says. “We help people for a living. This is just another way of doing it.”

This unique partnership began during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, when the Red Cross made a request for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Some FDNY members were able to help, and a year and a half later, they formed a response team made up entirely of firemen. Over the past 25 years, Bainton says the DART team has helped the Red Cross respond to disasters in every state in the union.

“It’s a way to give back,” Bainton said. “9/11 was obviously a big deal for us, something that will never go away. Half the world has already forgotten what happened here in South Carolina. We understand what that’s like.”

FDNY DART team members leave Red Cross relief supplies
outside a home in the Lee’s Landing neighborhood of
 Conway, S.C., where yards remain underwater weeks
 after flood waters reached their highest points.

The DART team members--who donate their FDNY vacation time to deploy to these disaster sites--have done everything from driving Emergency Response Vehicles to running warehouses during their 25 years as Red Cross response partners. On Thursday, the DART team did disaster assessment and brought clean-up supplies to residents in Lee’s Landing and other Conway, S.C. neighborhoods that remain so water-logged, one of the team’s vehicles became temporarily stuck in the mud.

“We’re often the first agencies to bring help to these people. That’s important,” Bainton said of the DART team and the Red Cross. “We get a lot of hugs. Grown men will sometimes start crying, and then you start crying. All they need is that minute, and then they’re fine. And they’re so grateful someone is helping them. That’s why we come back.” 

They’re #SCStrong, but Browns Ferry, S.C. Still Needs Help

Editors note: Chief Communications Officer Jay Bonafede is one of 22 Western and Central NY Volunteers who have been a part of the flood relief efforts in South Carolina. 

All of Robert Linnen’s furniture and carpeting are now sitting destroyed on his front lawn in Browns Ferry, Georgetown County, S.C.. You can see the water line on the end table. 

Linnen shows how high the flood waters rose on
 his Browns Ferry front porch. At one point, there was
 over a foot and a half of water inside his home.

The storm took place three weeks ago, but in the Browns Ferry neighborhood of Georgetown County, South Carolina, evidence of the historic flooding earlier this month remains readily apparent.

“We lost everything,” said Robert Linnen from his front porch on Mae Place. In the front yard lay all of his carpeting and furniture, destroyed by water from the crested Black River.

“There was a foot and a half inside the house,” he says. “Every day, it got higher and higher.”

“Never thought this could happen,” said Linnen’s neighbor, Cliff Ford. “We heard the warnings, but thought, ‘we’ll be okay’.”

Ford’s home was unaffected by the flooding, and Linnen’s family has been staying with his mother-in-law, whose home also stayed dry. However, the entire Browns Ferry neighborhood was cut off by the floods. For weeks, area residents only access to food and water was emergency supplies distributed at a local church. The area is just now becoming accessible, and Red Cross disaster assessment teams and caseworkers are beginning to go door to door to meet with the families and help them begin the long road to recovery.

District 2 Job Director Rick Schou meets with Browns Ferry
resident Robert Linnen to do disaster assessment of
his flooded home. Schou will send caseworkers to meet
with Linnen and his neighbors to help them begin the
recovery process. 

“It means a whole lot,” said Cliff. “Sometimes, people forget that we’re here. But we need help, and it’s just a blessing to have you people here and caring for us.”

You Saved My Life!

“I haven’t had sleep in 24 hours!”

Jeanette Jay with Winging It TV's Matt Snyder at
Iroquois Middle School shelter

Jeanette Jay had been evacuated from her home in the French Quarter Mobile Park in West Seneca

Thursday evening when of the snow from the lake effect storm threatened to collapse her roof.

“There was 12 feet of snow in my driveway,” Jay said. “I left my pets behind, I had to make a decision. I’m lucky to be here.”

The emergency officials that rescued Jay bused her and almost 30 of her neighbors to the Red Cross shelter at Iroquois Middle School in Elma.

“The treatment has been out of this world,” Jay said of the volunteers who provided hot meals, a place to rest, and emotional support at the shelter. “The facilities are the best they could’ve taken people to.”

This picture gives you an idea of how much snow has
piled up on people's roofs

Jay actually came to Western New York after her Pennsylvania home was destroyed by fire years ago. However, she hadn’t needed Red Cross services until this storm, and she is grateful for all the help she's received.

“You saved my life,” she said.

65 people spent Friday night in Red Cross shelters at the Iroquois Middle School, 211 Girdle Road in Elma, and Goodell Hall, 12847 Erie Street in Irving. Volunteers continue to operate those shelters as preparations are being made for potential flooding in the next few days. Please take some time to prepare yourself and your family for possible flooding, and download the FREE Red Cross Flood App for real-time alerts and additional safety tips.

Four Additional Volunteers Deploying to Assist In Central NY Flooding Response

Red Cross providing shelter, food for affected residents

BUFFALO, NY, June 30, 2013 – Four additional volunteers from the Western New York and Finger Lakes Regions of the American Red Cross have deployed for Central New York to assist in the response to massive flooding across the region Friday. Shelters have been opened at the Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica and at the YMCA in the city of Oneida. The deployed volunteers initially reported to Regional Headquarters in Syracuse to receive their specific assignments.

A list of volunteers who have been deployed is below, with the most recent deployments listed in bold. 

NAME, HOMETOWN                                   FUNCTION                                                  

Stephen Erbland, Dansville                           Logistics

Marianne Evans, Ransomville               Sheltering

Jennifer Goodbout, Olean                       Sheltering

Ari Gottlib, Rochester                                    External Relations

Michael Hoplight, Niagara Falls                   Logistics

Patricia Jung, Wellsville                                Staff Services

Stuart Moore, Allegany                            Sheltering

Tony Muscolino, Finger Lakes Region External Relations

Sarah Perkins, Pittsford                                 Disaster Assessment

Diane Sargent, Lockport                                Disaster Assessment

Gary Thompson, Finger Lakes Region         Logistics

Mary Walls, Williamsville                             Disaster Assessment

HOW TO HELP Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations help provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

WNY/Finger Lakes Region Sends Eight Volunteers to assist in Central NY Flooding Response

Red Cross providing shelter, food for affected residents

BUFFALO, NY, June 29, 2013 – The American Red Cross has launched a relief operation in Central New York in response to massive flooding across the region Friday. A total of eight volunteers from the Western New York and Finger Lakes Regions have deployed to assist in the response, including the opening of a shelter at the Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. The deployed volunteers initially reported to Regional Headquarters in Syracuse to receive their specific assignments.

A list of volunteers who have been deployed is below. The volunteers are unavailable for interviews, but to arrange an interview with a Red Cross representative, please contact Jay Bonafede at (716) 435-7468 or joseph.bonafede@redcross.org

NAME, HOMETOWN                               FUNCTION                                                

Stephen Erbland, Dansville                            Logistics

Ari Gottlib, Rochester                                   Logistics

Michael Hoplight, Niagara Falls                     Logistics

Patricia Jung, Wellsville                                 Staff Services

Sarah Perkins, Pittsford                                 Disaster Assessment

Diane Sargent, Lockport                               Disaster Assessment

Gary Thompson, Finger Lakes Region           Logistics

Mary Walls, Williamsville                              Disaster Assessment

HOW TO HELP Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations help provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

Red Cross Responding to Hurricane Sandy

Nine volunteers deployed downstate; shelter locations and volunteers on standby across WNY Region

BUFFALO, NY, Monday, October 29, 2012 — The American Red Cross is responding across multiple states as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast. A High Wind Warning is in effect for all of Western New York from 5pm Monday until 2pm Tuesday, with winds gusting as high as 60mph, and these potentially damaging winds could cause widespread power outages. A Flood Watch is also in affect for the entire region during that same timeframe, with two to three inches of rainfall expected, and a Lakeshore Flood Warning is in effect for Niagara, Orleans and Chautauqua Counties.

The American Red Cross has potential shelter locations and volunteers on standby throughout the eight counties of the Western New York region, ready to respond as needed. The Red Cross is also working closely with government officials to plan and coordinate the relief response.

Important information about how to get ready for the storm – steps to take for emergencies like flooding, power outages, even winter weather - is available on the Red Cross web site. Videos are also available to help people get prepared, including information on severe weather preparedness and how to get ready for winter weather. To find a shelter, people can download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit the Red Cross web site, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or check local media outlets. They should also register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website, a secure and easy-to-use online tool that helps families connect during emergencies. To register, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). This site also connects with the Twitter and Facebook accounts of users.

In addition, nine volunteers from the Western New York Region have been deployed to White Plains, NY to assist in the Red Cross relief efforts, and Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV’s) from both Niagara County and Jamestown are on alert. Here is a full list of local volunteers currently deployed to assist in the response to Hurricane Sandy:

·         James Collingwood of Amherst for External Relations/Government Operations

·         Tom Daley of Tonawanda for Mass Care/Sheltering

·         Janice Davis of Friendship for Disaster Health Services

·         Marianne Evans of Ransomville for Mass Care/Sheltering

·         Michael Hoplight of Niagara Falls as a Logistics Supervisor

·         Tara Hughes of Amherst as Disaster Mental Health Chief

·         Margaret McGee-Smith of Kenmore for Disaster Mental Health in Harrisburg, PA

·         Beth Shook of Cuba for Staff Services

·         Dawn Zaker of Niagara Falls for Mass Care/Sheltering

The large and powerful storm could affect as many as 60 million people in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and the Red Cross has workers and relief supplies in place to provide help to people in the path of Sandy.

The effects of the storm are already being felt with 128 people spending Saturday night in Red Cross shelters in North Carolina and Virginia. Red Cross workers are preparing to open and support more shelters today as the storm moves northward.

Almost 100 Red Cross emergency vehicles are mobilizing to distribute meals and relief supplies after the storm passes. Thousands of ready-to-eat meals and relief supplies such as cots and blankets are also being sent into the region.

HOW TO HELP  Donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to someone’s local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Volunteer Diane Sargent in Florida
earlier in 2012

PLEASE GIVE BLOOD The storm has already caused the cancellation of Red Cross blood drives in the region, and more cancellations are expected. This has resulted in the loss of several hundred units of blood and platelets so far. The Red Cross has shipped blood products to hospitals in the affected area in advance of the storm as patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather. If anyone is eligible, especially in places not affected by the storm, they are asked to please schedule a blood donation now.

To schedule a blood donation or get more information about giving blood, people can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To give blood, someone must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. 

Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them.  Some states allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent.

RED CROSS APPS People should download the free Red Cross Hurricane and First Aid apps for mobile devices to have emergency information at their fingertips. The Hurricane App keeps people up to date on the situation with weather alerts, locations of Red Cross shelters, and features a toolkit with a flashlight, strobe light and alarm. The “I’m Safe” button lets someone use social media sites to tell family and friends they are okay. And it’s available in Spanish by changing the language setting on someone’s smart phone to Spanish before downloading.  The First Aid app includes expert advice for everyday emergencies. The apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

Here We Go Again!

It's an old joke--If you don't like the weather in Western New York, wait five minutes and it'll change!  Sunday afternoon, I was enjoying a lovely spring-like day outside playing baseball with my son, niece, and nephews.  Then, after watching the Sabres game (I know we're supposed to be neutral, but Let's Go Buffalo!), I went with my wife and son to the grocery store in the early evening.  As we pulled into the parking lot, it was much cooler than it had been earlier in the day, but nothing out of the ordinary.  Then, not an hour later, we left the store to find, you guessed it, snow!  And not a little bit, either.  Thankfully, it was too warm to stick to the roads, but it was coming down hard!  Now today, most of our area is under a Flood Watch from 1pm this afternoon through tomorrow morning, with over an inch of rain and that melting snow making flooding conditions possible over the next 24 hours or so.

As anyone who's lived in Western New York knows, we really do need to be prepared for anything that's blown our way, and conditions can change at a moment's notice. It's always a good idea to have an emergency kit prepared BEFORE severe weather strikes.  With potential flooding on the way, your kit should include:

·         At least a 3-day supply of food and water

·         Flashlight

·         Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

·         Extra batteries

·         First aid kit and a 7-day supply of medications

·         Baby and pet supplies

·         Personal hygiene items and extra clothing

·         Emergency blanket and rain gear

·         Copies of personal documents, including birth certificates and insurance polices

·         Cell phone with chargers, and family and emergency contact information

It's also important to make sure your insurance covers flood damage.  Flooding has caused nearly $24 billion damage nationwide over the last ten years, but losses due to flooding are not covered under typical insurance policies.  Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program--you can get more information at www.fema.gov/business.nfip.

For more tips on how to be Red Cross Ready for flooding or any possible disaster, be sure to visit our website, www.buffaloredcross.org, or contact Denise Herkey-Jarosch, Regional Coordinator, NYS Citizens Preparedness Program, at (716) 878-2231 to set up a presentation.

Flood? Fire? Flu? We've got you covered!

The snow is falling, falling, falling today! But just hold on Buffalonians, a warm up is on the way!

But that warmer weather means that all of our nice fluffy snow is going to melt and cause another week of flood watches and warnings across WNY. So for today, we thought it would be a great idea to provide you with some links to information that will help you get prepared for all of the possible disasters that can be thrown your way. 

So what do you still need to prepare for?

Flood Information from:
FEMA

New York State Health

Ready.gov

American Red Cross

Fire information from:

Buffalo Red Cross  

Red Cross

FEMA

USFA

Seasonal flu information from:

Flu.gov

Buffalo Red Cross

American Red Cross

Flu preparedness

CDC

Winter storm information from:  

FEMA

CDC

NOAA

Buffalo Red Cross

American Red Cross

Haven’t made your emergency supplies kit yet? Click below for step by step help from the Red Cross!Red Cross tips

Want more information? Contact Denise Herkey-Jarosch at (716) 878- 2231 or HerkeyJaroschD@usa.redcross.org  to schedule a Be Red Cross Ready presentation so that you can be prepared!

Those high waters are starting to look pretty good!

Although we love this warm weather, it doesn't exactly mix well with the snow and ice that has been piling up on our sidewalks, streets and lawns these past few months.  Flood watches and warnings are in full swing across WNY, which means it's a perfect time for all of us to make sure that we brush up on flood safety and also that we have our emergency supply kits ready in case we need to make a quick evacuation.

Flood Safety:

·         Know the lingo!

o   A flood watch means a flood is possible in your area

o   A flood warning means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area

o   A flash flood watch means flash flooding is possible in your area

o   A flash flood warning means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon

·         What to do in each?

o   A flood watch

§  Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home

§  Fill your car’s gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued

o   A flood warning

§  Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible

o   A flash flood watch

§  Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment’s notice

o   A flash flood warning
              §   If you think flooding has begun, you may have only seconds to escape, act  quickly!

§ Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades; they are there for your safety.

§  If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

For more information on how to prepare for a flood, check out the informational pamphlet below!

In your emergency supply kit you should have:

·         At least a 3-day supply of food and water

·         Flashlight

·         Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

·         Extra batteries (be sure to keep all batteries out of electronic devices in your kit)

·         First aid kit and a 7-day supply of medications

·         Baby and pet supplies

·         Personal hygiene items and extra clothing

·         Emergency blanket and rain gear

·         Copies of personal documents (birth certificates, license, insurance policies)

·         Cell phone with chargers

·         Family and emergency contact information

·         Activities to keep you and/or your family occupied

For more information on making an emergency kit, visit us online and learn more about getting a kit, making a plan and being prepared!

Do you have flood insurance?
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, causing nearly $24 billion damage over the last ten years.  However, losses due to flooding are not covered under typical homeowner’s and business insurance policies.  Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program.  Residents are encouraged to call 1.800.427.2419 or visit FEMA for more information on flood insurance.
For tips on making sure you’re covered, check out the pamphlet below!

For more tips on how to be Red Cross Ready for a flood or any other possible disaster, please visit us online, or contact Denise Herkey-Jarosch, Regional Coordinator, NYS Citizens Preparedness Program at 716.878.2231 to set up a presentation.