Disaster Response includes 41 from Western and Central New York
The American Red Cross has mobilized a massive relief effort, providing shelter, food andcomfort to people impacted by widespread flooding in Louisiana. More than 2,500 Red Crossers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are on the ground helping in Louisiana. In addition, hundreds of local volunteers are supporting relief efforts. At the peak of the floods, more than 50 Red Cross and community shelters provided refuge for more than 10,000 people.
Mental health disaster workers are visiting shelters to offer comfort. Health services volunteers are helping with things like lost eyeglasses and medications. The Red Cross has also mobilized more than 90 disaster response vehicles, including vehicles based in Rochester and Syracuse, and trailer-loads of shelter and kitchen supplies to bolster relief efforts. Some of the supplies arriving include water, personal hygiene items, insect repellant, cleaning kits, bleach and other important supplies. Where flood waters have receded, the Red Cross is distributing meals and relief supplies.
Here in the Western and Central New York Region, 41 of the area’s volunteers are joining the disaster response.
Central New York Chapter:
- John Aldasch – Canastota – Sheltering
- May Becker – Fayetteville – Client Casework –Fiscal Review (virtual)
- John Carroll – Camillus – Service Associate – Feeding
- Harry Dashnau – Baldwinsville – Sheltering
- Ed Dienst – Skaneateles- Community Partnerships
- Gordon Howard – Tully – Bulk Distribution
- Bill Looft – Oneida – Emergency Response Vehicle
- William Morris – Syracuse – Bulk Distribution Supervisor
- Robert Mueller- Manlius – Service Associate/Feeding
- Mark Paikin- Fayetteville – Staff Relations Manager
- Michelle Sopchack- Syracuse – Emergency Response Vehicle
- Ken Stapleton- Cicero – Disaster Assessment
- Frank VanSickle- Cortland – Client Casework (virtual)
Finger Lakes Chapter:
- Lorraine Morris- Bath – Disaster Services Technology
Greater Rochester Chapter:
- Deborah Craft – Penfield – Mass Care/Feeding
- John Craft – Penfield – Mass Care/Feeding
- Pamela Hatch – Ontario – Emergency Response Vehicle
- Gail Hirst – Rochester – Client Casework (virtual)
- Sarah Perkins- Pittsford – Disaster Assessment
- Bill Platt-Rochester-Disaster Planning
- James Robinson- East Rochester – Bulk Distribution
- Mark Sennett-Rochester-Mass Care/Feeding
Southern Tier Chapter
- Susan Barr – Brooktondale – Sheltering
- Nancy Hall –Trumansburg – Client Casework (virtual)
- Charles Haupt- Owego – Bulk Distribution Manager
- Donald Nelson- Endicott – Shelter Supervisor
- Melanie Pandich – Binghamton – Training Supervisor
Greg Papa – Vestal – Emergency Response Vehicle
- Greg Patinka – Binghamton -Sheltering
- David Ruston- Binghamton – Sheltering
Bill Spangenburg – Vestal – Bulk Distribution
- Joseph Stover- Dryden – Logistics – Warehouse Manager
Roseanne Sullivan – Johnson City – Health Services
- Michael Thomas- Ithaca – Shelter Supervisor
- Dianne Zavada- Vestal – Sheltering
- Peter Zelno- Vestal – Bulk Distribution
Western New York Chapter:
- Jay Bonafede –Tonawanda- Disaster Public Affairs
- Pat Coate –Allegany – Sheltering
- Cynthia Manne- Depew- Disaster Mental Health
- Diane Sargent-Lockport- Bulk Distribution
- Elizabeth Shook-Cuba- Staff Services
HOW TO HELP People can donate by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recovery from these disasters.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER To join us, visit redcross.org today to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.
DOWNLOAD EMERGENCY APP People can download the free Red Cross Emergency App now to be ready in case of a disaster in their community. They can use the app’s “I’m Safe” button to connect with their loved ones. The Emergency Appcan be found in the app store for someone’s mobile device by searching for “American Red Cross” or by going toredcross.org/apps.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.