"Gimmie Shelter"? Our volunteers can do that!

"Oh, a storm is threatnin'

Photo courtesy buffalobills.com

My very life today.
If I don't get some shelter
Oh, I'm gonna fade away."
-The Rolling Stones

The Ralph will be rocking Saturday, and from the sound of things, it seems like all of Western and Central New York will be at the Stadium to see "the worlds greatest rock and roll band" live. In one of The Rolling Stones best-known songs, Mick Jagger pleads with listeners to "Gimmie Shelter". Well, Mick, that's something our volunteers do for their neighbors in need each and every day.

Just last week, when flash floods washed through parts of Syracuse, our volunteers set up a shelter at the Westcott Community Center in the early morning hours, before later moving to St. Lucy's Church, ensuring evacuated residents had a safe, warm place to stay. In November, when the area around Ralph Wilson Stadium was covered in as much as eight feet of snow, Red Cross volunteers operated or supported 19 different shelters, providing over 600 overnight stays for travelers stranded by Thruway and other road closures.

This is probably not what Mick Jagger had in mind, but
our volunteers operated or supported 19 shelters during
"Snowvember 2014"

It's not always a storm that forces someone to need shelter. An average of three times a day across the Western and Central New York Region, a family is forced from their home after a fire. Our volunteers are there then too, offering a place to stay, food, clothing and support, as they did for eight people who lost everything after an Elmira fire Thursday.

So whether it's because "a storm was threatnin'" or "a fire was sweepin'", the Red Cross volunteers are always ready to "Gimmie Shelter", even while thousands of us will be listening to the Stones sing one of my all-time favorite songs live.

Do you want to help answer Mick's call? Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer on our website.

Celebrate Safely This Weekend!

The fourth of July is a great time to celebrate with friends and family. Here are some safety tips to stay safe while you’re having fun!

 ROAD SAFETY Millions of people will be on the roads Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross offers these five bullets of advice to ensure everyone is safe while traveling this holiday:

·      Do not drink and drive: Many people BBQ for the Fourth of July, which often times includes drinking. Be sure to designate a safe ride and avoid making bad decisions.

·      Buckle seat belts and observe speed limits.

·      Pay full attention to the road: Although you may choose not to drink and drive there is potential for other intoxicated drivers. Make sure to pay attention to the road and cars around you. Don’t use a cell phone or other distractions while you are driving.

·      Use caution in work zones.

·      Clean your vehicles lights and windows so that you are able to see, especially at night.  Remember to turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.

Grilling Safety Many people are injured every year while using charcoal or gas grills. Follow these several steps to ensure your safety while grilling up some yummy BBQ treats.

·      Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

·      Never grill indoors.

·      Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat build up.

·      Make sure everyone, including pets, stay away from the grill

·      Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch on fire.

·      Use long handled tools to keep the chef safe.

·      Charcoal grill specific:

o   Never add flammable liquids to start the fire.

o   Let coals completely cool before disposing.

·      Propane grill specific:

o   Check the major connections points between gas tank hose and burners for potential leaks.

o   If there is a leak that does not stop, call the fire department immediately.

Water Safety Many people engage in water activities over their Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross encourages everyone to make water safety a priority as they enjoy pools or any beaches, lakes and rivers.

·      Ensure everyone knows how to swim and designate lifeguard supervises areas.

·      Always swim with a buddy

·      Wear life jackets.

·      Pay close attention to swimmers in or near the water. Avoid distractions while supervising the water. Never leave children unattended near the water.

For more tips to keep you and your family safe this Fourth of July holiday you can download the American Red Cross First Aid app at http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app

Stay safe and have a great Fourth of July holiday weekend!

-Sophia Maloff

"Your volunteers are amazing!"

Julie Perl at the Red Cross shelter at Westcott Community
Center in Syracuse Wednesday afternoon

Julie Perl thought her Tuesday was winding down as she left class at Bryant and Stratton College and headed home around 10pm, but unfortunately, her evening's journey was just beginning.

"I was headed down James Street, saw the fire trucks, and started freaking out," Perl said at the Red Cross shelter at the Westcott Community Center in Syracuse Wednesday. Heavy rains had caused flash flooding in many areas of the city. At Perl's apartment complex, the power had been cut as the waters filled the basement and reached the electrical wiring, and the fire department told Julie and her family they had to leave.

"I've been here since 2:30 this morning," Perl said of the shelter. "The volunteers have been amazing. On the news, you see they're everywhere, but I've never had to deal with a situation where the Red Cross stepped in. They brought out snacks for the kids at 2:30 a.m., gave us water, blankets, breakfast this morning."

Perl and a couple of her fellow shelter residents actually helped set up the cots that 18 people slept on Tuesday night. She feels that's the least they could for the volunteers that were helping them. Volunteers like Rich Plumpton, who had just returned from two weeks working with the Red Cross relief efforts in Oklahoma three days earlier.

Julie Perl and her grandson enjoying lunch at the Wescott
Community Center shelter

"You couldn't ask for a better bunch of people," Perl said. "They actually felt bad that they didn't have any toys for my grandkids. But they gave them Mickey Mouse, and that made the kids so happy. They actually slept with the Mickeys!"

Later Wednesday afternoon, the shelter moved to St. Lucy's Church on Gifford Street, where 20 people spent Wednesday night. Julie Perl says she doesn't know what she would've done if it wasn't for the Red Cross.

"I have family, but they have things that they do, and don't have the room to put us up," she said. "We probably would've been in a shelter that's not fit for kids."

Meet John Dowd

Volunteer John Dowd of Auburn recently returned from Oklahoma, one of over a dozen Western and Central NY volunteers who have deployed in the past month to help in Red Cross relief efforts following severe weather across the country. The public affairs team in Oklahoma caught up with John on his last day with the operation:

John Dowd on assignment in Oklahoma

ARDMORE, OK June 19, 2015 -- Standing in the doorway of the Ardmore Red Cross office, John Dowd extends his hand and offers a warm welcome to fellow Red Crossers walking through the front door.

"Hello there, I'm John.  Nice to meet you. Welcome!" His blue eyes beaming sincerely smiling.

John is a caseworker for the Red Cross.

After Tropical Storm Bill, John accepted the opportunity to deploy.  Accepted the challenge of uprooting his life, putting his personal affairs on pause.  He accepted the challenge to help those suffering in Oklahoma.

One community impacted, Ardmore. He's responded and assisted families who were hit hard by the heavy rain the damaging flood waters.

Two weeks.

Fourteen days.

Today he's heading back.  Today he's going home to New York. Syracuse.

"I guess...I feel a connection with Oklahoma now.  I'm going to go home, but Oklahoma will always be with me.  We gave them a little hope I think," he said, removing his Red Cross hat as he wiped his brow.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my dog again," he continued, taking out his phone, flipping through photos of a delighted Beagle.

What makes the Red Cross one of the world's most prestigious non-profits is its ability to respond to disasters. Its ability to mobilize volunteers at a moment's notice.  John exemplifies that power -- a volunteer from New York responding to assist those suffering.

There are countless volunteers like John making a difference helping those impacted by disasters stand on their feet again.

For more on the Red Cross response to recent storms, visit http://www.redcross.org/news-events/news?tag=Severe+Weather+2015. To learn how you can help by becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit http://www.redcross.org/ny/syracuse/volunteer