This is your Warning to Watch for an Advisory!

This is Buffalo. We know about winter storms, and we're quite familiar with the fun of lake effect snow. Like how the grass is still green at my house in Tonawanda, but there's enough snow to close some schools in the southern tier. But sometimes, even with our vast experience, the weather forecast can be a bit confusing. Take this morning, for example. Depending on where in Western New York you live, you may be under a Lake Effect Snow Warning, a Lake Effect Snow Advisory, or a Lake Effect Snow Watch. Pop quiz--do you know the difference?? Okay, you're not being graded on this, so go ahead and check out the answers below the picture:

Photo courtesy: wivb.com

• Winter Storm Outlook - Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.
• Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.
• Winter Storm Watch - Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.
• Winter Storm Warning - Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

Alright, so these refer to generic "winter storms", not lake effect snow. And us WNYers don't normally consider 4-6" of snow to be "life threatening". Still, when you add high winds and low visibility to the snow and ice, the roads become dangerous, power outages can occur, and it really can be a dangerous situation. So whether you're in an Advisory, Watch or Warning, follow these tips to make sure you're ready to ride out the storm safely!

Intern at "The Party of the Summer!!"

If you're a college student looking for an internship this semester--or you know someone fitting that description--have we got an offer for you! Check it out, and take some time this weekend to send in your resume!

American Red Cross, Serving Erie and Niagara Counties
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:           Development Internship

DEPARTMENT:   Development

DATE:                    January 2013

REPORTS TO:      Emily Shafer, Development Associate

MAIN FUNCTION:  The Development Intern will work with the Development Team to organize and execute various special events.  The intern will participate in all aspects of said special events including, but not limited to: silent and ticket auctions; gift processing; data entry; donor recognition; and event logistics.

                                                          

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is past BASH intern Eliza on the right. Can you think
of another internship that looks like this much fun?
Neither can we!

1.       Work with Development Staff on gift                             procurement and processing

a.   Assist with solicitation process, including written and verbal requests

b.   Assist with auction item processing through Excel and Raiser’s Edge

c.   Assist in the implementation and execution of gift gathering parties and cultivation events

2.       Assist with event logistics

a.    Participate in logistics-based meetings with Red Cross personnel, representatives from In Any Event WNY and leadership volunteers

b.   Wrapping, packaging, organizing and labeling BASH auction items

c.    Event set-up and break down

3.        Other duties as assigned

a.    Able to work additional and non-traditional hours as needed

b.    Assist in organizing and coordinating auction pick-ups

c.    Adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights, Gift Acceptance Policy and uphold the highest ethics and confidentiality of donors and their relation to the Red Cross

                                           

QUALIFICATIONS:  A sophomore or junior college student with course work focused on: Communication Studies, Public Relations, Business Management, Marketing, Hospitality or other related fields.  Proficient in Word and Excel.  Strong written and verbal communication skills.  Good organizational ability and inter-personal skills. Must possess ability to manage projects in an efficient manner, with a focus on detail oriented work.  Must wear professional attire as identified by the American Red Cross dress code policy.  Reliable transportation required and the ability to stay on until June 14, 2013.

LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT:  February 2013 – June 2013

TIME COMMITMENT:  Minimum of thirteen (13) hours per week.

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  Develop fundraising, cultivation, stewardship and event-planning skills.  Learn to participate as a member of a revenue-generating team.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to emily.shafer@redcross.org with the subject line of Development Internship. 

"It's like the North Pole out here!"

Photo courtesy www.ims.uaf.edu

That's a quote from my son as we walked to school today. Lake effect snow joined the frigid temperatures in Buffalo and the northtowns this morning, something the southtowns and southern tier have already been dealing with. This made for a slow morning commute, with several reports of accidents.

The dangers of this cold and snow are not limited to the roadways, however. Our Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to two separate fires yesterday, one of which was directly attributable to this winter weather. Thanks to your support, our volunteers were able to provide a homeowner with vouchers for temporary housing, food, clothing and shoes when his North Transit Road home in Lockport was destroyed by fire after, he told officials, he attempted to thaw frozen water lines with a propane torch.

We're glad this gentleman is alright, and while our volunteers are always ready and willing to help, I'm sure they would prefer to not have to stand outside in the freezing temperatures any more than necessary. So here's some tips to SAFELY thaw those frozen pipes:

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Of course the best way to deal with frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place. We have some hints on how to do just that, as well as other winter storm safety tips, on our website. Stay safe and warm, Buffalo. Santa Claus may not really live in WNY, but he'd probably feel pretty comfortable here this week! 

Sandy thanks

Pete Swales (Center) with fellow Disaster Assessment team
members during one of his prior deployments to assist in
the Sandy relief efforts

On Sunday, volunteer Pete Swales of Springville will leave to help the Red Cross relief and recovery efforts in the areas hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy for a third time. Pete is the fourth Western New Yorker to do three deployments since the storm hit in late October, and is one of 47 people from this region who has volunteered their time and talents to help our neighbors devastated by Sandy.

Trust me, it is a sacrifice to pack up and leave your life, your family and friends, for weeks at a time to help people you've never met. And the work itself isn't always easy. So why do they do it? Because it can be extremely rewarding. Not sure what I mean? Check out just some of the notes of thanks the Red Cross has received from those who have received the assistance of people like Pete and the other 16,500+ volunteers from across the country who make our efforts possible:

Subject: Thank you

I have to thank the Red Cross. I live in Staten Island and was affected by Hurricane Sandy. There are many people here who were affected worse than me. But to see the Red Cross coming to my block to serve us food day after day brought tears to my eyes. We were without power for twelve days. We had to throw out a lot of food. We just received power last night but haven't had a chance to go food shopping yet. Whenever I heard the siren of the Red Cross truck I knew I was getting my hot meal. You have been here since a day or so after the storm and have fed many people who needed you. God bless you and your organization. Now I must get back to my nice hot meal that was just given to me from your truck.

Mary

Staten Island, New York 10312

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Subject: Thank you

Sincere thanks to the Red Cross people from Kansas who were driving through Beach Haven, NJ today providing hot lunches to homeowners assessing damage and starting clean-up from Hurricane Sandy. Your support is greatly appreciated as well as uplifting during a very difficult time.  00156078

Jamie

Whitehouse Station, New Jersey 08889

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Subject: Thank you

I would like to thank all the red cross volunteers for all the help they provided me with at the Toms River shelter, and in the Monmouth Racetrack outside and inside, they helped me so much and I can't say enough thankyou's  They are all wonderful people and it made the tough time I went through much better!  Thanks to all involved!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Sincerely

Michelle Point Pleasant  Beach, New Jersey 08742

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Subject: Thank you

I have recently returned from helping family in New York post-Sandy and wanted to write to say how helpful, compassionate, and intelligent your organization proved to me to be seeing them in action while in Queens, NY during the aftermath of this storm and the Nor'easter that followed it. I was so impressed and I witnessed this first-hand time after time. Thank you so much.

Robert

Venice, California 90291

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Subject: Thank you

Thank you for the food at 555 shore drive oakdale ny 11769.

We were hungry.

scott barden

oakdale, New York 11769

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Subject: Thank you

Thank you for all you have done for those who have suffered so much devastation in New Jersey.  Keep up the great work!  I am encouraging friends and family to give donations to the American Red Cross instead of exchanging Christmas gifts this year.

Maureen

Neptune, New Jersey 07753

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Subject: Thank you

To whom it may concern,

I would like to so THANK YOU and HAPPY THANKSGIVING for all of those who came to help us. Not only today but through those last three weeks... it was...it is a huge help...especially for those who have children like myself... and those who are disables like my friends.... we want to say THANK YOU for being here for us ROCKAWAY RESIDENTS!

Monika

Rockaway Park, New York 11694

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Subject: Thank you

Dear Red Cross

We were TRULY BLESSED to have members of your amazing organization provide us with food, water, blankets, snacks, but as important was the HOPE they inspired and delivered in our time of need. I was a contact person here at the 10 Pavilion Avenue location, and I was elected to serve as President of out Tenant's Association.

During this very chaotic time, I was so absorbed with getting the supplies brought to us, with such kindness and caring effort, that I never got to even write down the names of those "Red Cross Volunteer ANGELS," that came to our building, day after day making sure we had the necessities to keep moving forward with great HOPE, and that those days would surely pass. I know I signed a release form when they started taking some pictures, and I am hoping to get copies, IF possible, that we NEVER FORGET,, who came to us in our time of helplessness and incredible need.

These wonderful people were even concerned enough to take care of another senior building about 2 blocks from our building, for they did NOT EVEN have any power at all. Their generator had failed and broke down. Your superfluous staff went and made sure that all of the residents there, WERE ALSO cared for and attended to. We have been doing our best to advise everyone EXACTLY how important the RED CROSS is to everyone throughout the world, and not just in our location. May God Bless these incredible people and keep them safe, and hopefully you may be able to look into you database, so that we can send them our personal thanks, and appreciation. Again in closing, GOD BLESS THE RED CROSS, THE WORLD'S REAL HEROES, Amen!  

Sincerely,

Robert

Long Branch, New Jersey 07740