Brocton Shelter - UPDATE #2

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is closing the shelter at the Brocton Central School 138 West Main Street in Brocton. The Chautauqua County Office of Emergency Services has cleared the residents of all 45 evacuated residences to return to their homes at this time. The Red Cross will continue to monitor the situation, and would like to thank the staff, volunteers and partners for their support. 

Brocton Shelter - UPDATE

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is currently moving the location of a shelter for residents evacuated due to recent flooding to the Brocton Central School on 138 West Main Street in Brocton. The location at the Brocton Fire Hall is no longer open, there are approximately 30 area residents currently seeking shelter at the school. Volunteers from the Disaster Workforce have been mobilized to set up and staff the shelter at the school.

Red Cross Assisting in Brocton in Response to Flooding

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is assisting those who have been displaced by flash flooding in the Brocton, NY area.  At this time, a "report to" shelter is opened at the Brocton Fire Hall, 80 Lake St.  More details when they become available.

Local Red Cross Chapter Responds to Help House Fire Victims in Hinsdale, NY

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following a house fire on June 25^th in Hinsdale.

DAT volunteers Susie Folts and Marion Boyce of Olean were on scene to provide the initial disaster assistance. Temporary housing, clothing, and meals are services typically offered to address emergency needs. The local Red Cross chapter will continue working with the family and their recovery process if additional services or referrals are necessary.

All disaster assistance offered by the American Red Cross is complimentary and made possible by generous contributions from the American people and residents of Cattaraugus County. The United Way organizations of Cattaraugus County also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission.

Red Cross Chapter Responds to Help House Fire Victims in Olean, NY

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following a house fire on West Eighth Street in Olean last night.

DAT volunteers Stu Moore and Alice Frost were on scene to provide the initial disaster assistance. Temporary housing, clothing, and meals are services typically offered to address emergency needs. The local Red Cross chapter will continue working with the family and their recovery process if additional services or referrals are necessary.

All disaster assistance offered by the American Red Cross is complimentary and made possible by generous contributions from the American people and residents of Cattaraugus County. The United Way organizations of Cattaraugus County also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission.

Honoring a Leadership Volunteer- Clayton Sweeney completes three years of service as Chair of Local and NYS Red Cross Organizations

Clayton Sweeney, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York and Co-Chair of the New York State Council of the American Red Cross, will be honored for his service to the community and to the Red Cross at the Chapter’s upcoming annual meeting.  Clayton began his local volunteer service to the Red Cross in 2007 when he became a leadership volunteer and member of the board of directors.  He actively participated in the governance of the Chapter, helping it to prepare for and navigate a significant reorganization, which was successfully completed in 2009.  During this time Clayton applied his considerable knowledge as a renowned lawyer and international businessman to ensure the local Red Cross continued to deliver on its mission while judiciously caretaking the valuable resources contributed by community donors.

In 2010, Clayton was elected to serve as the Chair of the board of the local Red Cross, and was also elected to serve as the volunteer co-chair of the American Red Cross New York State Council, leading Red Cross management and leadership volunteers in statewide initiatives to improve operational effectiveness.  During Clayton’s tenure as a leader of the New York State Council, Red Cross chapters in New York State completed the reorganization process undertaken by the national organization, improved financial management processes, and responded to multiple disasters in New York State, to include the 2010 Olean/Portville floods, Hurricane Irene in 2011, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.  As a result of his leadership, Red Cross organizations across New York State were better able to provide emergency food, clothing, shelter, health services, and mental health services in the aftermath of some of the State’s biggest disasters.

Clayton’s six years of service to his community will be honored at the annual meeting of the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York, to be held at 6:00pm on Thursday, June 27th, at the Elks Club in Olean, New York (209 W. State St).  The guest speaker will be Tara Hughes, LCSW-R, New York State’s Disaster Mental Health Advisor for The American Red Cross; Tara is an experienced Disaster Responder for the Red Cross, and has led Red Cross disaster mental health services in the aftermath of the flight 3407 crash, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, the Newtown School Shootings, and the Boston Marathon bombing, among others.  Tara, a professor at the University at Buffalo, is also Clayton’s daughter; besides sharing some of her disaster response experiences with Red Cross Members, she will join the membership in activities to honor her father for his years of volunteer service.

Anyone who has donated time, blood, or money to the Red Cross is a member and is invited to attend the annual meeting.  A buffet dinner will be served at a cost of $18 per person; please RSVP to one of our local offices (Jamestown 716-664-5115; Olean 716-372-5800; Wellsville 585-593-1531). 

Clayton Sweeney (second from right) was honored for his service by the four Regional Chief Executive Officers of the American Red Cross in New York State; from left, Josh Lockwood (Greater New York), Rosie Taravella, (Central New York), Gary Striar (Northeastern New York), (Clayton Sweeney), and (far right) Nancy Blaschak (Western New York/Finger Lakes).

Red Cross to Hold Annual Meeting

The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York will be holding its annual meeting on June 27, 2013 at Olean Elks Lodge on 209 W. State Street. A reception will start at 6:00pm and the dinner and program will start at 6:30pm. The dinner cost is $18.00 per person. This year’s guest speaker is Tara S. Hughes, LCSW-R; New York State Disaster Mental Health Advisor for the American Red Cross.

The Annual Meeting is open to all who have supported the Red Cross throughout the past year by donating time, blood, or money. If you would like to attend please contact your local Red Cross Office in Jamestown at 716-664-5115, Olean at 716-372-5800 or in Wellsville at 585-593-1531 by June 21, 2013. The American Red Cross of Southwestern NY is a United Way Agency.

Local Red Cross Chapter Responds to Help House Fire Victims in Silver Creek, NY

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following a house fire in Silver Creek on Saturday June 1^st.

DAT volunteers Sandy and David Brown were on scene to provide the initial disaster assistance. Temporary housing, clothing, and meals are services typically offered to address emergency needs. The local Red Cross chapter will continue working with the families and their recovery process if additional services or referrals are necessary.

All disaster assistance offered by the American Red Cross is complimentary and made possible by generous contributions from the American people and residents of Chautauqua County. The United Way organizations of Chautauqua County also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission.