9/11 Memorial Blood Drive to Be Held in Olean on Tuesday, Sept. 11th

            In the hours and days following the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, thousands of Americans lined up to donate blood, hoping to help victims and to prepare our nation for the turbulent times that remained ahead.  The outpouring of compassion and patriotism across America still stands strong in all of our minds. The unprecedented response by citizens to help our American community was inspirational.  The American Red Cross hopes to draw on that spirit as the eleventh anniversary of the tragedy nears.

            As we once again prepare to remember those lost with a National Day of Service and Remembrance, the Red Cross encourages people to roll up a sleeve to give the gift of life in honor of the victims of that tragic day.  The Police and Fire Departments of Olean and the American Red Cross are joining together for the September 11 Memorial Blood Drive on Tuesday, September 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Olean Knights of Columbus at 129 Hamilton Street. The first 300 presenting donors will receive a free patriotic t-shirt. Additionally, each presenting donor will have the opportunity to enter into a grand prize drawing for one of two pairs of tickets to the Bills vs. Patriots game on September 30. Local Army Recruiters will be on site with a football toss game and a personalized dog tag machine. All attendees will also have the opportunity to see the birds and hawks of the Birds of Prey bird rescue organization. WPIG-FM will be broadcasting live and refreshments will be available throughout the day. There will be free parking available in the public parking lot on North Barry Street courtesy of the City of Olean.

It is the blood on the shelves today that helps save lives tomorrow. That is why your donation through the American Red Cross is so important. Now is the perfect time to show your support and give back to the Olean community, as Red Cross is the primary supplier of blood products and services to Olean General Hospital. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please respond to this email, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  Appointments are not necessary, as walk-ins will be gladly accepted.

Please help spread the word about this lifesaving, memorial event by forwarding this email to your family, friends and colleagues.  We hope to see you there!

Red Cross to Offer Disaster Trainings

            The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York will be offering disaster training. These classes are strongly encouraged for those interested in volunteering in shelters, national level disaster assistance, or for the local Disaster Action Team in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. In order to ensure that our communities are ready and prepared, the American Red Cross offers all disaster training free of charge.

             Disaster Assessment Basics and Fundamentals will be held September 22^nd, 9:30a-5:30p at the Red Cross Office in Jamestown. Volunteers interested in supporting a local incident such as a fire or national response should take this course to learn preparedness tasks, how to collect and communicate disaster assessment information and become familiar with how to support services delivery decisions.

Disaster Services Overview and Shelter Operation will be held on October 20^th, from 10:00a-6:00p on the Alfred State College Campus (specific location to be determined). This course is recommended for all disaster volunteers as the first course to set a foundation; a requirement of all affiliated disaster volunteers. The course provides an overview as to what the organization structure is and how it functions during a disaster.

            Shelter Simulation will be held on October 21^st from 2p-5p at the Red Cross Office in Olean. This course is open for volunteers interested in working on Shelter Operation teams in their county.

Psychological First Aid will be held on October 25^th from 6p-9p at the Red Cross Office in Olean. Psychological First Aid is a requirement of all affiliated disaster volunteers and is designed to help with understanding the factors that affect stress responses of clients and workers.

            To sign up for any of these classes, please contact your local American Red Cross located in: Jamestown, NY 716-664-5115; Olean, NY 716-372-5800; or Wellsville, NY 585-593-1531. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.

Red Cross Responds to Two House fires During the Evening of Sept.5

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following a house fires during the late evening of Sept. 5^th in Swain and Gerry, New York.

DAT volunteer Bob Shook of Cuba and Allegany County District Manager Darlene Wells were on scene to provide the initial disaster assistance for the fire in Swain and Sarah Swanson from Bemus Point, Mary Ritchie and Ramon Martinez from Jamestown provided assistance in Gerry.

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 Allegany and Chautauqua Counties. The United Way organizations of Allegany and Chautauqua Counties also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission.

"God's Favorite' To Benefit American Red Cross

On Sept. 14-15 and 21-22 at 8 pm the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Winged Ox Players present Neil Simon’s play ‘God’s Favorite’ at the Robert H. Jackson Carl Cappa Theatre. Admission is $10;with all proceeds benefiting  the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York, Love, Inc, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, and St. Susan’s Center.

“We are thankful for all who made ‘God’s Favorite’ possible,” said Bill Tucker, executive director of the American Red Cross of Southwestern NY. “The donations will help their neighbors throughout Southwestern New York.”  

Red Cross Seeks Volunteers for "Pains in the Alleganies"

On Sept. 23, athletes from the area will test their strength in ‘Pain in the Alleganies’, a half iron man and relay event, at the Allegany State Park. A Half Ironman consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. The event will also include an Aquabike Half, Sprint Triathlon, and a Duathlon coordinated by ScoreThis!!.

The Red Cross needs volunteers on Sept. 22 to help setting up the course, and on race day to work at water stations, registration tables and along the courses. “This is a great event for the Cattaraugus County area,” stated Kathy Burch, chapter assistant executive director. “Every person who signs up to volunteer for the Red Cross on the day of the event earns the Chapter a donation towards our programs and services in Cattaraugus County.  They also receive a free t-shirt from race organizers.”

For more information, please contact the Olean Red Cross Office at 716-372-5800. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way agency. 

Hoberg Deployed to LA

Judy Hoberg of Belmont, NY deployed to Baton Rouge, LA

Judy Hoberg  of Belmont, NY deploys Wednesday to Baton Rouge LA, to provide nursing assistance in the American Red Cross shelters as the residents recover from Hurricane Isaac.

The Red Cross expects the Isaac relief response will continue for several weeks. Days after the storm moved on, hundreds are still in shelters and evacuations are still occurring as waters continue to rise. Hundreds of thousands are still without power, and entire communities are cleaning up after devastating flooding.

“The road to recovery for these communities will not be easy, but they will not be alone,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president for Red Cross Disaster Services. “As families return home to take stock, the Red Cross will be there – to make sure their emergency needs are met and help them get back on their feet.”

Anyone wishing to help those affected by disasters such as Isaac are encouraged to make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation (charges will appear on phone bill).

Preparedness - There's an App For That!

In the age of technology, safety is not left out. The American Red Cross designed an app to help better prepare and equip smart phone users so they can have first aid instruction and disaster preparedness information anytime, anywhere. The app includes simple step-by-step instructions for everyday first aid scenarios, prioritized steps to take during an emergency, with a 9-1-1 call button, sharable badges to be unlocked through interactive quizzes. Videos and animations make learning first aid fun and easy; with safety and preparedness tips for a range of conditions- including severe winter weather, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes, and preloaded content that gives instant access to all safety information at any time. To download this app and other Red Cross apps visit the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for Android.