Red Cross Volunteers Honored For Sandy Work

On December 5^th, American Red Cross Volunteers that were deployed to Hurricane Sandy gathered at the Red Cross office in Jamestown to share their stories, experiences, and memories of giving back to the residents of New York City and the New Jersey area.

Over 14,000 trained volunteers throughout the country were deployed to affected areas working in shelters, providing mental and physical care to victims, and delivering food and supplies in an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV). Volunteers spent anywhere from a few days to three weeks serving their neighbors on the east coast.  

Sitting L to R: Tina Jones, Emergency Services Director; Nancy Pickut; Jeanie Shiffer.

Standing – L to R: Sarah and Bruce Swanson; Walt Pickut; Mary Walker; Charlie Meder; Mary Ritchie; Phil Baker; Bill Tucker.

Volunteers were recognized with a lunch of pizza, wings, and desserts. Volunteers in attendance included Sarah and Bruce Swanson of Bemus Point, who drove the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) on Staten Island to deliver food and supplies needed for cleanup; Janice Davis of Friendship, who worked in shelter operations in New York City; Mary Walker of Dunkirk provided Client Casework in New Jersey as well as helping locally for shelter operations in Silver Creek; Phil Baker of Jamestown, who drove an ERV in NYC and Long Island, and worked with Bulk Distribution in New Jersey; and Bill Tucker of Jamestown, who worked in shelter operations on Long Island. Other volunteers present that helped locally included Jeanie Shiffer of Jamestown, who helped to staff the Silver Creek shelter, and Charlie Meder of Stockton, who drove an American Red Cross disaster trailer to the shelter in Silver Creek.   

Other volunteers and community members honoring the volunteers were American Red Cross of Southwestern New York Board Members Vince Horrigan and John Plumb; Bill Price from the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, and fellow Disaster Team Members Walt and Nancy Picket and Mary Ritchie.