During Red Cross Month, help people in need by supporting the American Red Cross

During March, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help people in need by supporting the lifesaving services it provides.

     “Please remember those who need our help and support the Red Cross by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, taking a class, or giving blood,” said Bill Tucker, Chapter Executive Officer of the Southwestern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us to help people here at home, across the United States, and around the world.”

    March is Red Cross Month, first proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

    The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

    Here in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties, the Southwestern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to nearly 100 local emergencies, assisted over 100 military families and people from this area donated close to 14,000 units of blood.

    “Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission,” Tucker said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our work, both here at home and across the globe.”

    The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping the people through Red Cross services.

    The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including the annual fundraising event Savor the Flavor taking place in each county. This is an exciting opportunity for our local restaurateurs to show off their culinary specialties to members of our community. The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York is a United Way Agency.  

A Volunteer- The Red Cross Everyday Hero

With March is Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York would like to take this  time to thank the Everyday Heroes who make the Red Cross run so smoothly in Southwestern New York - the volunteers. Red Cross volunteers take time out of their day or night to help their neighbors in need. Whether it is spending a Thursday afternoon at the local church passing out cookies and juice at a blood drive or spending their Christmas morning with a family who lost their entire home to a house fire, volunteers make up the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York.  Red Cross volunteers are a dedicated group of individuals who love to help.

Without these great people, it would be hard to help the community. The Southwestern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross covers Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties with only eight staff members. The approximate 500 volunteers throughout over 3,800 square miles help us cover even the most remote parts of Southwestern New York.

Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers will take time out of their busy weekend to help practice a disaster drill or to take classes to improve their skills so that when a disaster strikes in the Southwestern New York area, they will know exactly what to do and how to help their neighbors. Volunteers are able to prepare food for the masses, open a shelter for those not able to be in their homes and assess the damage after a storm has affected a community.  These are just a few of the talents of our DAT volunteers.

Nearly every week you will find a sign on the street corner for a local Red Cross blood drive. Volunteers are there before the first needle is in an arm, and do not leave until the last blood unit is on the truck. Often these volunteers make phone calls to remind the regular donors of the blood drive to ensure that the blood drive can reach its highest potential. Once the drive is up and running, volunteers help donors register, and after the donation, keep the donor calm and safe.

Some of the hardest working volunteers are often overlooked. These volunteers are the voice you hear when you call the local Red Cross office or the faces you see at the fairs, festivals and fundraisers throughout the counties. ‘Behind-the-scene’ volunteers shine the brightest - especially in March. Each Savor the Flavor has a great committee that puts a spectacular event together. Volunteers spend countless hours making sure each detail is to the highest quality. Volunteers in the office help fold, stuff and seal numerous envelopes, address cards, ask for silent auction donations, make countless phone calls, and so much more.

The Red Cross would also like to thank all of our financial supporters, Board Members and United Way organizations in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.  No matter how large or small the gift may be, we greatly appreciate it and those funds will be used help our neighbors in need. 

As the Red Cross recognizes the everyday heroes, we want to thank each and every volunteer and donor that helps make the Southwestern New York area a great place to live, work, and play. Without them, the Red Cross would not be able to provide vital services to our community.  If you would like to become a volunteer, contact your local chapter office: Jamestown 716-664-5115, Olean 716-372-5800 or Wellsville 585-593-1531.

March Blood Drives

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week 2013

National Severe Storm Preparedness Week is an opportunity for the American Red Cross to urge everyone to Be a Force of Nature and know what actions you should take if severe weather threatens your community.

National Severe Weather Preparedness Week – March 3-9 - is a time set aside by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) to emphasize the need for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to get prepared and know what to do before severe weather strikes.

A great way to get started is to download the Red Cross Preparedness Apps that are relevant to where you or your loved ones live. The apps contain simple steps and checklists you can use to create an emergency plan and share it with household members plus a variety of other safety features.

During Red Cross Month, Honor the Everyday Heroes

During March is Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross recognizes the nation’s Everyday Heroes who give of themselves and in some way help their community.

“Please remember those who help all of us here in Southwestern New York by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Bill Tucker, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York.  “We want to thank our heroes during Red Cross Month – our volunteers, blood donors, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need.”

March was first proclaimed as Red Cross Month 70 years ago by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since 1943, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; 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 Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties, the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York responded to over 60 local emergencies, assisted over 100 military families and trained over 500 people disaster education. And, people from this area donated over 8,500 units of blood from July 2012 through January 2013.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross and there are many different ways to do it,” Tucker said. “They can develop a preparedness plan for their household, become a Red Cross volunteer, give blood, or take a Red Cross class, just to name a few.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping people in need.

The Southwestern NY Chapter has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month, including Savor the Flavor Events on March 3^rd from 12p-3p at the Cuba VFW, March 10^th from 12p-3p at the Olean Elks Lodge, and March 17^th from 12p-3p at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. The American Red Cross of Southwestern NY is a United Way Agency.  

Winter Storm Heads East After Burying Midwest

The massive winter storm that dumped almost two feet of snow in the Midwest is moving eastward and the American Red Cross has steps people can follow to stay safe during the storm.

The snow, sleet and freezing rain is moving into the upper Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic and New England regions over the weekend and people who may be in the path of the storm should prepare now. These are steps they can take to get ready:

• Pack a kit with a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for each person in your household. Find out what other items you should include by visiting the Red Cross winter storm safety information.
• Make sure you have a flashlight and extra batteries on hand as well as a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay informed about the storm.
• Check to make sure you have sand, rock salt or kitty litter on hand to keep walkways and steps less slippery.
• Get the warm coats, gloves, mittens, hats, boots and extra blankets ready, as well as warm clothing for everyone in your household.

 In Kansas and Missouri, the Red Cross opened shelters as needed and had workers and other shelter sites on stand-by as the storm passed through. More than 30 people took refuge in shelters in Kansas during the storm. As the storm moves to the east, Red Cross chapters are working with local officials and have workers and potential shelter sites ready if needed.

The severe winter weather has already caused the cancellation of as many as 80 blood drives in 12 states, resulting in a shortfall of more than 3,100 units of blood and platelets unable to be collected due to the storm. More cancellations are possible as the storm moves eastward. The cancellations come on top of the more than 7,100 blood donations that went uncollected during the blizzard that hit the Northeast earlier this month.
The Red Cross encourages those who live in areas unaffected by the storm to schedule a time to give blood or platelets. There is a particular need for eligible donors with O-positive, O-negative, A-negative and B-negative blood types. To schedule an appointment to give blood, people can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
If you are in the path of this storm and must go outside, wear layered lightweight clothing to keep warm. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs. Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

If traveling, try to avoid driving during the storm. If you have to drive, plan to arrive at your destination before the storm hits. Watch weather predictions for your entire route so you know what to expect along the way. Make sure you have an emergency preparedness kit in the car, and keep your car's gas tank full to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If you do get stuck in the snow:

• Stay with the car. Do not try to walk to safety.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car.
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running to help rescuers see the vehicle.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
• If the power goes out, use flashlights to provide light. Do not use candles for lighting. Don’t forget your pets – bring them indoors. If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water. Other tips include:
• Prevent frozen pipes - when the weather is very cold outside, open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around water pipes. Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to a consistent temperature.
• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. Keep a glass or metal fire screen around the fireplace and never leave a fireplace fire unattended. If using a space heater, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to safely use the heater. Place it on a level, hard, nonflammable surface. Turn the space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Keep children and pets away from your space heater and do not use it to dry wet clothing.
• Use a sturdy fire screen around fireplaces when in use. Burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs.
• Use generators correctly –never operate a generator inside your home, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Check smoke alarms once a month by pressing the test button and replacing batteries as necessary.
• Don’t overload your electrical outlets.

Cattaraugus County United Way Offers Tax Prep. Help

Why pay somebody to do your taxes? If you qualify, the Cattaraugus County United Way will do it for free! Cattaraugus County residents: if you worked in 2012 and your family income was less than $50,000 you may qualify for valuable earned income tax credits. If you qualify: no preparation fees, free electronic filing, and get your tax refund back FAST! Call 716-373-2534 to make an appointment, January 28th- March 26th. Call the United Way at 716-373-2534 or visit the office-new location- 807 W. State Street in Olean next to NAPA Auto Parts.