Local Red Cross Fundraiser Helps With Costs from Several Local Fires

(l-r) Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Gill & RonDee Lockwood	Red Cross Volunteers & Guests mingled throughout the event.
The County Chiefs Association supported the event.	(l-r) Glen Vetrano, Bob Soldoveri & Pat Day

Newton, NJ, February 2, 2010 - On Friday, January 29, 2010 the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted a Beefsteak Dinner fundraiser – catered by the Brownstone of Paterson - at the Samaritan Lodge in Hardyston.  This was the Chapter’s first time hosting such an event and according to former Sussex County Freeholder and Red Cross supporter, Glen Vetrano (who is credited with bringing the upscale Brownstone’s Ultimate Beefsteak Dinner to Sussex County), “This was a great event.  Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed themselves.  I look forward to this being an annual event for the Red Cross.”  Red Cross Executive Director, Pat Day said “I’m delighted with the support shown by the community for this event.  It couldn’t have come at a better time.”  Day added, “We’ve seen nothing like this in recent years having had one local disaster after another in January. Hundreds of volunteer man-hours were spent providing emotional support as well as tens of thousands of dollars in the form of financial assistance for food, clothing and shelter to support families in crisis.”   

It all began on Friday, January 8, 2010 when 42 elderly residents of Concetta Towers in Franklin were awakened by the incessant shrieking of the fire alarm. The residents frantically fled to safety, many still in their pajamas. Three days later on January 11th, Red Cross Volunteers responded to another call for help when fire again ravaged a multi-unit complex at Great Gorge Village in Vernon where five families were left homeless, all of their possessions consumed by the flames. On January 13th, another fire claimed the homes of two families in Montague and damaged the home of another family in Stanhope.  Just nine days later, an entire building at Landmark West Apartments in Newton was evacuated when fire broke out in the early morning hours of January 22nd. Again, tens of residents were awakened to the shrill sounds of fire alarms and police and firefighters banging on their doors.  Residents were rushed out of their homes into frigid temperatures and early morning darkness.  A Red Cross Volunteer was on the scene providing blankets to the residents. The Red Cross office was opened early that Friday morning to allow the scared, tired and bewildered residents – who were transported there by bus, a warm place to begin planning their next steps.  

Red Cross Volunteers were there to help the victims of the fire at their time of greatest need.  They were fed, given a warm place to rest and a strong shoulder to lean on and help to begin making plans for their future.  While there are other agencies and organizations that may assist in the days and weeks following a disaster, only the Red Cross is there at the moment of greatest need, helping people to cope and to take that first step back to recovery.

“Never before has it been so apparent why this local Red Cross chapter is needed” said Red Cross Resource Development Manager, MaryAnn Maikisch who added, “ongoing fundraisers like the Beefsteak Dinner and the Heroes for the American Red Cross Campaign - set to kick-off on March 19th, are an important part of our strategy to ensure that we remain a viable resource to the residents of Sussex County”.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.sussexredcross.org or call our office at 973-579-1600.