It's February...Everybody in the pool!!

OK, this winter's been wonderfully mild, but it's not exactly pool weather. So imagine the excitement some students in Niagara County must have felt when presented with the opportunity to dive into the water while doing something to help out their neighbors in need!

Swim-A-Cross at Gaskill Prep in Niagara Falls

Yesterday, the kids at Gaskill Prep in Niagara Falls took their turn at the 31st annual Swim-A-Cross.  13 students collected pledges from their friends and family, then under the supervision of P.E. teacher Mr. Lozina, hit the school pool and swam as many laps as they could, and were replenished with a little snack afterwards. You could see how excited the kids were to be able to do some swimming during these long winter months, and it was neat to see their reactions when Development Associate Emily Shafer explained to them how their efforts help others.

The swimmers also get a little something for themselves; those that raise between $25-$74.99 will receive a commemorative t-shirt, with those earning $75 or more receiving a commemorative "hoodie" sweatshirt, both featuring the 2012 Swim-A-Cross logo designed by Niagara Falls High School art student Adrianna Van Hyfte.

Gaskill Prep is just one of the schools taking part in this long-standing tradition.  Channel 2 and the Niagara Gazette both recently featured Emily Lauzonis, a fourth-grader at Lew-Port Intermediate who raised an amazing $1,100 to benefit the Red Cross, and faculty and staff at several other schools are currently planning their Swim-A-Cross events.  In all, the Swim-A-Cross raises nearly $20,000 annually to support the life-saving mission of the American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties.  If you'd like to learn more about how to be a part of this wet-'n-wild fundraiser, please contact Emily Shafer at emily.shafer@redcross.org.

"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!

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

That famous line from baseball great Yogi Berra may make you chuckle, but what's happening in Alabama right now is no laughing matter. 

Photo courtesy montgomeryadvertiser.com

For the second time in less than a year, the Red Cross is setting up relief operations after multiple tornadoes touched down across several states overnight.  Much of the damage is being reported in areas of Alabama that were devastated by deadly tornadoes just last spring.

As always, Western New Yorkers stepped up to help during the massive spring storms in 2011, but now those in one of the hardest hit areas are dealing with the devastation again.  In fact, because of this weekend's storms, officials had to reschedule a Monday meeting to receive a report on the response to the storms last spring.

It has to be hard for residents who were just starting to piece things together to have them ripped apart by yet another tornado.  When the Red Cross says we are helping "turn heartbreak into hope," this is what we're talking about.  A warm meal or a place to spend the night may be the most important thing to some Alabama residents right now, and you can help provide that with a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  We appreciate your support, but not as much as your neighbors in need will!

Staying prepared, despite the warm winter

Many of us are enjoying this warmer-than-usual winter weather. It's mid-January, and I have yet to break out the snow shovel!  However, we are always encouraging everyone to "Be Red Cross Ready" for an emergency ahead of time, so what good would we be if we didn't do the same?

When and if the snow hits, it's entirely possible that we could find ourselves needing to open a shelter or warming station as we did after lake effect snow shut down portions of the NYS Thruway in December 2010.  The people coming to the Red Cross for help will expect to be provided warm, clean blankets.  Many of those blankets made their way downstate last fall to be used in shelters following the flooding and power outages caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  But thanks to the support of the Western New York community, we're once again ready to help when called upon!

Amanda Campbell re-stocks trailers with blankets cleaned
by The Laundry Lounge in Niagara Falls

One of our Board members, Gregory Ford, owns The Laundry Lounge on Niagara Falls Boulevard in the Falls.  Mr. Ford and his staff cleaned and packaged 196 blankets for us at no charge!  And as if that wasn't enough, Laundry Lounge employees have also made generous donations in support of the Red Cross mission!

These blankets have now been packed into trailers along with other supplies in preparation of a winter storm or sheltering operation.  So while we may all hope that winter never truly arrives, the Red Cross will be ready if it does, thanks in no small part to the folks at a Niagara Falls laundromat!!