Charlene Hanson Provides Heath Services to West Virginia

                           11 Regional Red Cross volunteers deployed to assist in flooding relief 

Thursday, June 30- After hearing about the severe flooding in West Virginia, Charlene Hanson of Niagara Falls jumped on the opportunity to help those in desperate need. With almost no time to prepare, she scheduled her two-week journey to West Virginia without hesitation. Out of the 11 regional volunteers currently deployed to West Virginia, Charlene’s expertise is in Health Services. As a registered nurse for about 50 years and an active Red Cross volunteer, Charlene has a passion for helping others. So much so that this is one of Charlene’s many deployments, including assisting residents affected by Hurricane Sandy, 9/11, and several other disasters across the United States. 

Charlene explained, “Every disaster is different and unique in its own way.” She anticipates that West Virginia’s distinction is that there has already been over 20 reported fatalities. That being said, her Health Services expertise will highlight spiritual and mental well-being. Charlene continued, “Everyone lost something, some lost a loved one, some lost a home. People are going to be extremely sad and angry.”  

During Charlene’s two-week deployment, she plans to work 12 hour days in one of the many shelters. Together, Charlene and a team of volunteers will dedicate each day to aiding West Virginia residents back to health, whether it be physically or mentally. As each volunteer brings their own "piece of knowledge," the team will be able to effectively work together to provide hope during such a tragic time. 

As Charlene stated, “A little support goes a long way.” Those who would like to help the Red Cross support people affected by disasters can make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations allow the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

-Grace Carnall, Communications Intern

American Red Cross, WNY Chapter

Daniel Lopez's Red Cross Journey

Money does not equate to happiness. Although said often, not many of us take the risk to test this theory. Daniel Lopez took that risk. With Buffalo, New York as the destination, Daniel left Puerto Rico to seek out new beginnings with only seven dollars in his pocket.

However, not too long before, Daniel had much more than just seven dollars. Daniel lived a luxurious life making a living as an accountant. He had the opportunity to increase his salary by accepting a managerial position at his father’s accounting firm. Daniel denied. Instead, he decided that, at age 50, it was time to make change and leave Puerto Rico with absolutely no assistance from his family.

In January 2016, Daniel began his journey to Buffalo. During the commute, Daniel befriended a man who was struggling with a substance abuse problem. Himself 11 years sober, Daniel’s kind and open heart sympathized with the man. A few seats a way, a woman sat listening intently to Daniel’s attempts to coax the man to remain sober. Inspired, she made it her duty to establish Daniel in his new life.

Daniel Lopez talking to a homeowner
about the Home Fire Campaign during
the City of Buffalo's Clean Sweep

Once he arrived in Buffalo, that woman directed Lopez to a rescue mission that provided him with meals. To show his gratitude, he volunteered to serve breakfast every morning. Afterwards, he would teach young children English at the library, without charge. Daniel had a revelation- he had a passion for helping people. Fortunately, this led to Daniel’s introduction to the American Red Cross, and more importantly to the community.

On average, seven people die in a house fire every day across the country. With this appalling statistic, the Red Cross needs volunteers like Daniel Lopez to educate the public on the severity of house fires with the Home Fire Campaign.

Part of the Home Fire Campaign includes Major Byron Brown’s Clean Sweep, a weekly outreach program that targets an at-risk neighborhood in the City of Buffalo. Many companies and organizations partner together to provide resources and services to those in need. A Red Cross volunteer advises residents on the precautionary measures one should take to lessen the likelihood of being a victim of a house fire. This includes informing them that the Red Cross offers free smoke alarms that are installed personally by an Red Cross volunteer. Daniel explained, “Maybe they don’t need smoke alarms, but we are telling the community that the American Red Cross is there for them.”

Daniel Lopez presents the Pillowcase Project
to students

In the short months that Daniel has been active as an AmeriCorps working with the Red Cross, he has impacted hundreds of people with his ability to speak fluently in Spanish and English, but more significantly with his zest for teaching. 

“There is something special about seeing a difference,” Daniel explained when speaking about The Pillowcase Project, a Disney-funded program that educates elementary level students on how to be prepared during an emergency. Daniel continued, “These young children want to learn. They want to know how to be safe and prepared during an emergency.”

Daniel stated, “We are not working for a profit. We are working for a difference.” With a sincere disposition, Daniel confirmed that this is the happiest he has ever been. That being said, on behalf of the Red Cross, I invite you to let Daniel’s story inspire you. It is never too early or too late to start a new journey in your life. Become an American Red Cross volunteer by applying online on redcross.org to see what difference you can make.

-Grace Carnall, Communications Intern

American Red Cross, WNY Chapter

A Different Kind of Help in Texas

Greg Langen was signed in to the Texas flood relief operation
by fellow Greater Rochester Chapter volunteer
Diana McLaughlin

Editors note--Volunteer Greg Langen of Pittsford has been in Texas, doing Disaster Assessment as part of the flood relief efforts in the Houston area. He shared this story of his experience on Tuesday:

We were driving down a rural road that had just today become accessible and noticed an elderly woman walking aimlessly in a nearby field. She was plodding around in circles for no apparent reason. We stopped and called out to her to see if she needed any help. It turns out she had Alzheimer's Disease and had wandered away from the car where her son had told her to stay while he checked on his house. Her confusion was exacerbated because the flooded area looked so different that she didn't know where she was. We escorted her out of the field and reunited her with her son when he came back out to the road.

I'm not sure whether we saved a life today, but we surely alleviated some suffering.

This was a very rewarding day.

Sign on the side of the road in Fort Bend County, Texas
Photo by: Greg Langen, American Red Cross

Just some of the devastation from the Texas floods
Photo by: Greg Langen, American Red Cross

Love in the air at The BASH

Eric and Jessica at The BASH

Eric Farinacci and Jessica Wutz, both Western New York natives, have been regular guests at Buffalo’s annual Red Cross BASH. They both attended BASH*2011, but little did they know it was going to change their lives forever.

Believe it or not, it all started while Eric was standing in line for the bathroom. This was the first time he had spotted Jessica, and he knew right away that he had to go talk to her. She was attending the BASH with her brother, while Eric was there with his cousin, whom he used as a “wingman” to help start a conversation with Jessica. Once they got to talking, they realized that they actually worked together at Creditors Interchange, but they had never met until that night.

They began casually hanging out until officially being labeled boyfriend and girlfriend a few months later. After dating for about four years, Eric knew he wanted this relationship to last a lifetime.

He initially got in touch with Regional Communications Jay Bonafede to discuss his plans for proposing to Jessica. Eric wanted to pop the question where they first met, the BASH, but they were unable to make it last year. Once he found out that news, it was time for plan B. He asked Jay if he could use the site of the BASH—the Clement Mansion grounds—and after getting the go-ahead, Eric planned the entire thing in a week’s time.

On a beautiful Saturday last June, Eric invited 41 of their close friends and family to the Western New York Chapter. While Jessica was riding in her best friend’s car, she thought she was coming to the Red Cross to pick up a certificate for donating. Much to her surprise, the first person she ran into upon her arrival was Eric, who happened to be walking their dog.

Jessica said yes!

“I told her I was walking the dog,” said Eric. “She had absolutely no clue what was going on.”

When Jessica turned the corner, she saw all of their close friends and family waiting in a group. Everyone was bunched up under the big tree in front of the Clement Mansion, the exact spot they met four years earlier.

“I was really confused as to why everyone was there and didn’t really think anything of it,” said Jessica. “Until I saw everyone take out their phones and start taking pictures.”

Eric proposed to Jessica on June 13, 2015, and of course, she said yes. Jessica said it was fitting to have him propose at the site of the BASH because not only is it where they met, they also spent part of their first Valentine’s Day together there.

Eric and Jessica are tying the knot June 4, 2016,
one day after #RedCrossBASH and five years
after they first met at this very spot
during BASH*2011

Jessica and Eric will be tying the knot on June 4, 2016. That is the day after this year’s BASH and the five-year anniversary of the day they met at BASH*2011. They’ll be a little too busy to #PartyWithAPurpose this year, but they are both planning to attend the BASH in the future because they say it’s their favorite event.

 “It’s a fun event that always has great music and the atmosphere is amazing,” Jessica said. “The theme is always so fitting.”

Will love be in the air again this year? Find out at #RedCrossBASH June 3! Get your tickets now at www.redcross.org/buffalobash. And congratulations and best of luck, Eric and Jessica! We’ll see you for BASH*2017….

--Jacquelyn Fricano, WNY Chapter                     

Communications Intern