Chapters include Madison County
(Syracuse, NY – Dec. 2014) The Western & Central New York Region of the American Red Cross hosted a news conference Dec. 2, at the Red Cross office at 344 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, to recognize Welch Allyn, Inc., for its $10,000 donation to the region’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Steve Meyer, President and CEO of Welch Allyn, will presented the donation to Rosie Taravella, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Western & Central New York Region. The Disaster Relief Fund provides shelter, food, clothing and other necessities for victims of fires, floods and other disasters in the region’s five chapters, including the Central New York Chapter that covers Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties.
The Western & Central New York Disaster Relief Fund is currently supporting the Red Cross winter storm relief operation in the Buffalo area. More than 100 Red Cross volunteers responded to the operation as the Red Cross operated or supported 19 shelters, served more than 2,850 meals and snacks, distributed 251 comfort kits, and provided counseling for hundreds of people through Mental Health Services volunteers.
Headquartered in Skaneateles, Welch Allyn is a leading global manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment and a wide range of connected solutions. The company raised the money for the Red Cross through an employee auction that was held in conjunction with the consolidation of its Jordan Road and State Street Road facilities in Skaneateles.
“We are delighted to help an organization whose mission is to provide lifesaving services and programs for people in need,” said Steve Meyer, president and CEO of Welch Allyn. “Whether it’s disaster relief, safety training, international aid or blood donations, the American Red Cross provides compassionate care where it is needed most – including right here in Central New York.
“As one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross relies on the power of a volunteer workforce and the generosity of donors to make a difference in people’s lives,” Meyer added. “We’re happy to support them any way we can, so this donation is just one small way we can give back to an organization that does so much for so many people.”
In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the Central New York Chapter provided about $160,000 in direct cash assistance, plus additional shelter and basic needs relief to 860 people from 301 families who were displaced from their homes by a disaster. More recently, the Central New York Chapter responded to 11 fires and the Interstate-81 bus crash from Nov. 1-13, providing assistance and counseling to more than 100 people.
“As we saw in early November with the fires and bus crash, and now with the lake effect storm in the Buffalo area, there is a constant need to help victims of disasters in Central and Western New York,” Taravella said. “Thanks to our generous partners such as Welch Allyn, we’re able to provide our services to people whose lives have been turned upside down by these disasters.”