Niagara County Red Cross

Disaster: Pretty normal disaster year. Most of the problems stemmed from carbon monoxide poisoning and faulty furnace emissions.

Blood: The blood program has its struggles…but not locally; these problems all take place in the Regional offices. The Bloodmobile Drives at our Chapter house continually increase in numbers and satisfaction. We added three Drives throughout the summer shortage and have an extra one scheduled for the day after Christmas.

Health & Safety: Each month our community courses reach maximum attendance. More industry classes are added each year. Our Health and Safety program continues to be healthy.

Fund-raising: Thanks to a very responsive Board of Directors who help with the three chicken BBQ’s that we have taken on annually, we sold a total of 3,025 dinners this fiscal year, raising a net profit of $6,614. We thank the BOCES cooking students who baked and packaged brownies for these endeavors. Each time we learn something new and better that enhances our BBQs. It’s a great way to make money and a fun time for all!! (I will miss these!!) The Eastern Niagara County Chapter was named as a beneficiary in the estate of Marion Ward.

I leave my chapter in good hands with Maureen Siekierski as Executive Director and Julie Harpst as Assistant Director. Both have served as my loyal staff for 13 to 15 years. Thank you Red Cross for 26 fulfilling and rewarding years,and thank you for the Crimson Maple tree in the front yard that was planted in my honor. May it grow strong and tall and live forever…the same goes for our Chapter. Thank you…

2001 – In our first year, Julie Harpst, Assistant Director and I, Maureen Siekierski, experience a truly unprecedented year. The events of September 11^th changed our organization and our chapter forever. The horrific attack on our nation saw blood donors arriving at our chapter in record numbers. Members of our community volunteered to help in any way they could and financial donors ensured that our work would be done in New York City, Washington D.C., and elsewhere.

Our disaster workers were activated immediately and Challis Dietz and Sue Beamer were ready to leave by that afternoon. We are so proud of all our disaster workers who supported the operation for several months.

“Preparing for the Unexpected”: We have now added new disaster education pieces to our community education. Our Chapter reviewed our preparedness following September 11^th and worked very hard to position ourselves to better serve our community. Thanks to a grant from the Grigg Lewis Foundation, our chapter purchased a generator, additional cots and blankets, protective clothing for our disaster team, and communication equipment.

We ended the year 2001 a stronger and wiser chapter.

2001-2002
Disaster- This year began by once again testing our disaster preparedness and response. In early February we were faced with an ice storm and power outage that blanketed our area. We opened shelters at So. Lockport Fire Hall and Newfane High School.

Thanks to the generosity of Jack and Marcia Tillotson, the Exchange Club of Lockport, and the Middleport Fire Department, we purchased a disaster trailer. All supplies and equipment needed to open a shelter are stored in the trailer for rapid response. We continue to look for ways to better serve our community.

World events have made it necessary for us to focus on preparing our community for unexpected events and the possibility of war. We continually disseminate material assisting families with a disaster plan and a checklist of supplies needed for a disaster kit. Recently four new Armed Forces caseworkers were trained to assist military families in crisis.

Blood- The chapter entered into a signed agreement with the New York-Penn Blood Region. The agreement is a collaborative effort to improve collections and provide the chapter with more input. Unfortunately, blood collections have dropped nationwide. We continue to work within our community and with New York-Penn to reverse this shortfall.

Health & Safety- Governor Pataki signed a law this year mandating that every school in New York State be equipped with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and appropriate staff trained in its use. Our chapter has seen a significant increase in CPR/AED training due to this and other initiatives.

Fundraising- Due in part to shutdowns, downsizing and retirements in our local workforce, our United Way allocation has been reduced by 19%. Fundraising has become a necessity for our chapter. We continue with our very successful chicken barbecues but are now looking for additional avenues of raising money in this difficult economic climate.

2003-2004
Disaster – In November, we had an ice storm with power outages throughout our area.  Middleport was especially hard hit.  We opened a shelter at the Middleport Fire hall and provided shelter and food until the power was restored the next day.

Blood – We were honored to receive the Partnership Award from New York-Penn this year.  This award is given to the chapter within the region that demonstrates cooperative work between the chapter and the blood region. Blood collections reached 3330 this year, the highest number in several years. 

Fundraising – We continue to have our three chicken barbecues each year with great success.  We have sold as many as 1500 dinners in slightly more than 2 ½ hours.  We receive calls from many organizations asking our secret. In addition to the barbecues, we held two Shania Twin concerts this year netting over $10,000.   

2004-2005 
Disaster – During a 6 week timeframe in August and September 2004, the state of Florida was hit by 4 devastating hurricanes.  Five of our disaster volunteers were deployed immediately, a few to return to Florida multiple times over the next few months.  Our executive director spent 4 weeks assisting disaster victims during September. Once again this year, we participated in Strategic National Stockpile exercises and drills with the Niagara County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management.  To ensure preparedness, it has become essential that we participate in wide-scale exercises to test our human and material resource capacity. In the post 9/11 era, we have assumed the primary responsibility for training our community in disaster preparedness.  Nationally developed courses and presentations have been added to our menu of training offerings.  This year, 1059 people attended at least one training on disaster preparedness. On December 26, 2004, Southeast Asia experienced a devastating earthquake followed by a catastrophic tsunami.  Since this occurred during Christmas vacation, many local school children were aware of this situation, because they had been watching it on television during vacation.  When they returned to school, many had ideas of how to raise money.  This began very creative events within our schools thanks to the support of the school staff and administrators. 

Armed Forces Emergency Services – While our military caseload is up, we have noticed a difference in the way communication is handled between the serviceman and his or her family back home.  Frequently, by the time we send our emergency message through the communication network, the serviceman already is aware of the contents of the message.  The military has gone high tech since the gulf war in 1992-93.  Servicemen now are frequently equipped with satellite phones and/or internet capability making communication with their family much easier than at any other time of war or conflict. In March 2005, we hosted a military reception for the families of men and women currently deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan – or anywhere else far from home.  Sen. Maziarz helped support this event and attended and spoke with the families present.  We had a mental health professional meet with the children separately.  We also had servicemen and women who had already been deployed come and speak with the families.  There developed a bond between the attendees who had many of the same concerns.  The families were very appreciative of the afternoon spent with those who truly understand what they are going through.

Blood – Blood collections continue to grow, resulting in 3374 donations this year. 

2005-2006
Disaster – August 2005 brought the most devastating natural disaster ever to hit the United States and the Red Cross – Hurricane Katrina. Our organization was challenged in many ways.  Human resources were stretched to the limit as we struggled to answer the needs here at home while we were expected to recruit and train new volunteers for almost immediate deployment.  All of our trained disaster workers assisted at least once during the Katrina recovery effort.  Some were assisting in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas multiple times and were away from their families for months in some cases. As always, this community immediately responded.  First Niagara Bank made it possible for their customers across the state to make contributions at any First Niagara Branch.  First Niagara also sponsored a fundraising event at the Palace Theater with a concert and basket raffle.  The result of their hard work and commitment to assist the victims of this horrific disaster was the presentation of a check to our executive director in the amount of $95,925.23. This was a remarkable accomplishment only possible through many hours of hard work. By the time we closed out this fundraising campaign for Hurricane Katrina, we had processed over $196,000 in our office and forwarded it to National Headquarters for what turned out to be the most comprehensive disaster relief effort to date. Once again, we participated in June in a Strategic National Stockpile drill with the Niagara County Health Department.  Each time we exercise we become better at our disaster response skills.

Blood – Our chapter was presented the Outstanding Sponsor Award from the New York-Penn Blood Region.  We continue to improve our collaborative efforts with the blood region and our success lies in an increase in blood donations.

2006-2007
Disaster –We were blessed with a quiet hurricane season this year.  After Florida 2 years ago and Katrina last year, we all breathed a sigh of relief. We continued to participate in drills with the Niagara County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management.  That training paid off when we were called into action on the evening of October 12 for what became known as the “October Storm”.  Following several inches of heavy, wet snow, the power went out in Lockport and the areas to the south and southeast in our jurisdiction.  We opened a shelter at Rapids Fire Hall for 2 nights and supported shelters in Wolcottsville, Middleport and the Salvation Army. When the shelter population dwindled, we transitioned back to our office at 637 Davison Road where we functioned as a warming center and fixed feeding site, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next four days. Our disaster relief activities became a part of a larger operation when we became a part of the Western New York grouping to include Eastern Niagara County Chapter, Genesee County Chapter, Orleans County and Erie County.  Together be became DR#080-07 NW NY Storm.  This is the first time our chapter has ever been a part of a National Disaster Relief Operation.  It was very interesting seeing the transition from a local event to a National.  We activated all of our trained disaster staff and everyone appreciated the experience they got while working this event. Starpoint Central School District was successful in receiving a grant and asked that we present age-appropriate disaster education the all students. Participants received information and a disaster safety tube during various presentations.  Over 2600 students participated.

Blood – We received the Chapter/Blood Services Partnership Award from New York-Penn.  This award is given to a chapter who demonstrates outstanding efforts to promote and enhance the partnership with American Red Cross Blood Services and New York-Penn Region.

Health & Safety – A Certificate of Merit was awarded to Thomas Mangine at our Annual Meeting at the Holiday in Lockport October 23, 2006.  Thomas was awarded this prestigious certificate for his lifesaving action in pulling a 2 year old child from a pool and performing CPR until the ambulance crew arrived.  Senator Maziarz was in attendance and also presented Thomas with a proclamation and award.  Thomas was trained in CPR at Wyndham Lawn Home for Children where he works.  He was joined that evening by some of his co-workers who shared in the celebration.

Fundraising – We continue with our chicken barbecues three times a year and have added One-Eyed Jacks pulled pork barbecues also three times per year.  In addition, we sponsored a concert starring the “Crooners” at the Taylor Theater in February.   We continue to struggle with fundraising ideas that are unique and profitable.  As our United Way dollars continue to decline, it is imperative that we continue to pursue new fundraising opportunities.