Allegany County United Way Free Tax Preparation

This year, Allegany County United Way declared a bold vision to help 500 local families become economically self-sufficient. One of the keys to achieving that goal is helping hardworking families keep the money they have earned.

That's why United Way’s Free Tax Preparation program is one of our key initiatives to reduce poverty in our region. It is offering fast and free tax preparation and filing services for hardworking families who earned $51,000 or less in 2012.

The program focuses on ensuring that everyone eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is able to claim it. EITC recipients can get as much as $5,800 returned to them, which then can be spent here in our local communities. 

Additionally, individuals or families with a combined income under $57,000 in 2012 may file online for free at myfreetaxes.com. The step by step easy instructions can save filers up to $200 -- the cost of paying a professional to do this or purchasing tax filing software.

Scheduling appointments for the free tax preparation service is easy. Just call 2-1-1 (or 800-346-2211). Eight sites are offered throughout the county in Alfred, Belmont, Bolivar, Cuba, Houghton, Little Genesee, and two sites in Wellsville.

We need you to help us spread the word! Feel free to forward this email and share this information with your family, friends, and even on Facebook, Twitter or other social media.

SWNY Red Cross News from the Executive Director

Bill Tucker, Executive Director

March is Red Cross Month!  This is the time each year when we give special thanks to all of those who help our community by giving of themselves - the volunteers, blood donors, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.  It is also a great time to become part of the Red Cross by doing such things as developing a preparedness plan for the household, becoming a volunteer, giving blood, or taking a Red Cross class.  To all of you who have supported or will support the Red Cross this year- THANK YOU!

March is also the month when you can support your local Chapter while enjoying some of the finest food and drink our area has to offer.  For just $25, you can sample the wonderful offerings of our local restaurants and caterers by purchasing a ticket to attend one of our three “Savor the Flavor” Events; March 3^rd in Cuba, March 10^th in Olean, and March 17^th in Jamestown.  

Special events like this are not only fun, but they also provide essential financial support for the services we deliver to local disaster victims, members of our armed forces and their families, and residents who want to make themselves and their communities more resilient.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country.  It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.  Here in the southwestern New York area last year the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York, your local Chapter, responded to 83 local emergencies, assisted dozens of military families, trained 6704 people in lifesaving skills, and collected 13,443 units of blood from generous donors.

We thank those whose generosity enables us to continue our work, and encourage everyone to become an Everyday Hero during Red Cross Month by helping their neighbors.  Please continue to follow us on one of our many sites (Web, Blog, Facebook, or Twitter), and don’t forget to attend one of our “Savor” events; we’ll see you there!

Stay in Contact With the Red Cross

The American Red Cross would like to remind the residents of Southwestern New York of the many ways to stay in contact with the Red Cross. Not only are there three offices in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties; the Red Cross has a great online presence as well.

“Like” us on Facebook by searching   “American Red Cross of Southwestern NY;”  you can get updates on what the Red Cross is doing in Southwestern NY  in disaster, health and services, blood drives,  services to the Armed Forces, fundraisers, and community events.  If you prefer “Twitter”, follow our handle @ARC_SWNY. We give updates as well –in 140 characters or less!

For those who are not quite into the whole social media thing we have a great website- www.redcross.org/swny. It will give you links to safety tips about weather related emergencies to the flu, to terrorism. Our website will also provide you with the local connection to news and events happening right here in Southwestern New York. You can find information about great events like Savor the Flavor and what our local volunteers are doing throughout the country.

Another great website is our blog- http://swnyredcross.blogspot.com/ . Our blog is a great resource for anything Red Cross in Southwestern NY. It has links to national Red Cross webpages, our Facebook page, Twitter handle, E-Newsletters, Family Disaster Plan Template, and other great information. Our blog is updated with what is going on within Southwestern NY and often is updated quicker than the webpage.

Offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are available by phone. You can visit your local Red Cross at 325 East 4^th Street, Jamestown or call 716-664-5115, in Olean at 452 North Barry Street or call 716-372-5800, or in Wellsville at 112 North Main Street or call 585-593-1531. The American Red Cross of Southwestern NY is a United Way Agency. 

Keep germs on the bench during the big game!

Super Bowl XLVII is this coming weekend and people everywhere will be gathering at parties to watch the game. With cases of influenza and norovirus illness spreading across the country, the American Red Cross has steps people can take to avoid getting sick if their plans include watching the big game at a party.

The norovirus is more contagious than the flu and spreads mainly through direct contact with someone who is infected. It also spreads through contaminated food, water and surfaces. The norovirus can survive and remain on hard surfaces for weeks.

If someone has the flu, they can infect others a day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after they become ill. People with the flu can spread the illness to others as far as six feet away by droplets spread when coughing, sneezing or talking or left on a surface.

So one of the most important things you can do is stay home if you are ill or someone in your household is sick. While it’s hard to miss the party, people should act responsibly and stay home to avoid spreading illness.

One of the most important steps to take to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands properly, especially after using the bathroom or when preparing food. For visibly soiled hands, first wash with soap and warm water. When using soap and water:
Wash with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, covering the entire hand including fingernails and under jewelry.
Rinse and dry thoroughly with a disposable towel.
Use the towel to turn off the faucet.

If using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
Rub thoroughly over the entire hand, including nail areas and between the fingers.
Continue to rub until the product dries.

 Other steps to avoid getting sick include:

• Hosts should use plastic cups or provide a way for people to identify their drinks. People shouldn’t let anyone else drink out of their glass.
• Give every dish a utensil for serving, including those snack dishes like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.
• Do not share food. Avoid anything that involves sticking your hands into a bowlful of food.
• Hosts should also make sure there is plenty of soap in the bathroom. Instead of the usual pretty hand towel, this year use disposable hand towels or a roll of paper towels.
• If you plan to host a party and someone in your household becomes ill, move your event to a different location.
• When greeting friends and family, avoid the usual kisses and handshakes.

You can find more information about how to help keep you and your loved ones protected by visiting redcross.org/FluTips.

February Blood Drives

Make 2013 the Year of Giving!

Have your New Year’s resolutions worn off? The Red Cross has a late New Year’s resolution idea to get you back on track - make 2013 all about giving!

Take time to volunteer! Join the local Disaster Action Team and you will receive training on how to help with local disasters and even gain the knowledge to assist in national disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy.

Volunteering is not just limited to just disaster however. The Red Cross needs volunteers to help work at blood drives, special events and even some office work. Just a few hours can make a large difference in the community you live in.

Here is another idea for a resolution – help others by donating blood! If you have not donated before make 2013 the year.  Just by donating one unit of blood you can save up to three lives.

Finally, a monetary donation can greatly help in the Southwestern New York area.  Funds donated can help support a family after a house fire by providing basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter.

So when your New Year’s resolutions fail you, make a new one for 2013. Contact your local Red Cross in Jamestown at 716-664-5115, in Olean at 716-372-5800 or in Wellsville at 585-593-1531 to get started. 

Red Cross Responds to Fire in Portville NY

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following a house fire on Lili Bridge Road in Portville on January 23, 2013.

DAT volunteers Patricia Coate, Alice Frost and Marion Boyce was 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 Cattaraugus County. The United Way organizations of Cattaraugus County also provide financial support to the local Red Cross mission.