January 2012

January 6, 2012:

The American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts is pleased to announce that it will honor local heroes and is now looking to the community for nominations. These heroes will be recognized at the 10th Annual Community Heroes Breakfast on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the CoCo Key Hotel (formerly Ferncroft), Danvers, MA from 7:30-9:00 A.M. Nomination forms are available here on our site- http://northeastmassredcross.org or can be obtained by calling (978) 922-2224 or look for them at your local fire station, police department, or your library. You can also write to: American Red Cross, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 207-F, Beverly, MA 01915. NOMINATIONS – Nominations are currently being accepted for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding courage, generosity, and service to others. All heroes must hold residency on the North shore.

January 4, 2012: There was a three-alarm fire that engulfed a 12-unit complex in Beverly at the Folly Hill Meadows apartment community. Our chapter's DAT team leaders and volunteers responded with the ERV and subsequently, provided emergency lodging, counseling, and funds for clothing.

November 2011

November 28, 2011: On Monday evening, November 28th from 7p - 10p there will be a Holiday Fundraiser benefiting our chapter at Unitarian Church Parish Hall located at 26 Pleasant Street in Newburyport. Tickets are only $5! Available for sale in Newburyport at Partridge in a Bear Tree, HandCrafter's Hall, Dally's Hair Salon, Valentine's, Valerie's Gallery, and Body Sense. Tickets can also

be purchased the night of the event.
Spearheaded by Newburyport Guide owner, Rebeccah Pearson, this fundraiser is a testimony of the generous residents and local merchants in Newburyport. “Every item for the silent auction, every morsel of food, entertainment and even Parish Hall is donated," stated Rebeccah Pearson. "This says a great deal about our community, and everyone is very excited to participate.”

September 2011

September 20, 2011: The American Red Cross of Northeast MA held its 14th Annual Golf Classic on Tuesday, September 20th at the highly acclaimed, Turner Hill golf course located at 3 Manor Lane in Ipswich. The funds raised through this event will support the Red Cross disaster relief efforts as well as the delivery of life saving services.

The event began with registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m. The tournament kicked off with a Shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. followed by dinner, awards, raffles, and live & silent auctions!
The Red Cross secured a number of enticing items for the fundraiser’s raffle and live and silent auctions. These included airline tickets from JetBlue and Southwest; an autographed Boston Bruins hockey puck, autographed Sox baseball, a dinner for two on the Spirit of Boston, and much, much more! As always, much fun for a great cause was had by all in attendance.

September 17, 2011: American Red Cross and Green Meadows Farm joined together for Be Red Cross Ready on Saturday, September 17th. Be Red Cross Ready, a program of The American Red Cross can help everyone prepare for disasters and other emergencies and make their homes and communities safer. The program combines basic disaster education with key health and safety information and skills demonstrations. It was a sunny day at Green Meadows Farm in South Hamilton where attendees of all ages learned how to Be Red Cross Ready!

June 2011

June 23, 2011: The American Red Cross of Northeast MA held its 77th Annual Board Meeting & Volunteer Dinner on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library. The evening began with a social hour and dinner at 6:00 p.m. followed by a feature presentation by Clara Barton~ she was a special treat to the audience.
The event was attended by nearly 50 volunteers, board members, staff members and donors.
Volunteers who had reached at least 5 years of service received a special service pin. Pins were also given to those with 10 years, 25 years, and 35 years of service to the Red Cross. Ann Theriault, a loyal Red Cross volunteer, received a special pin for 35 years of service.

June 10, 2011: American Red Cross Investments in Japan Disaster Response Reach Nearly $210 Million
In less than three months, 80% of U.S. donations have been sent to Japan with millions more on the way. Read more

June 2, 2011: Red Cross Helping After Tornadoes Tear Through Massachusetts
Relief efforts continue across the country as floods, tornadoes devastate communities. Read more

May 2011

May 2, 2011: Spend a beautiful spring afternoon savoring chocolate in scenic Newburyport! Join us at our upcoming "Chocolate Tour" of Newburyport. This great walking tour of Newburyport allows locals and visitors alike to walk the downtown route, introduce themselves to the wonderful stores, and partake in delectable chocolate treats from over 20 participating vendors!

Our 8th Annual Chocolate Tour was held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM in Newburyport. (Chocolate Tour Home Base was situated at 26 Pleasant Street at the Unitarian Church Parish Hall ~where attendees picked up their tickets and goodie bags!)

April 2011

April 29, 2011: Hundreds Seek Safety in Red Cross Shelters due to Floods, Tornadoes and Wildfires

*Our chapter deployed Ron Beckley of Gloucester, who served as a Computer Operations Supervisor in North Carolina.

March 2011

March 23, 2011: Red Cross Scales up Relief Efforts in Japan

March 3, 2011: Red Cross Announces 2011 Heroes

Enduring Hero: Bill Howard
Community Heroes: Kathleen Bailey, Gretel Clark, Karen Bernier, Jeff Jones, Jorge Lemerise, Sefatia Romeo-Theken, and Bill Scott
Healthcare Hero: Elissa Al-Chokhachy, MA, RN, HPCN, FT
Education Heroes: Heather Douglas, Shawn Maguire, and Tina Pasierbiak-Lamond
First Responder Hero: Officer William Barror
Youth Hero: Aidan Blake

February 2011

Thursday, Feb 24, 2011: In Byfield, 3 Disaster Action Team (DAT) members responded to a single family fire.
The apt. was destroyed, and the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts helped a family of 2 with food
and clothing. An additional 3 people were present in the residence when the fire
broke out. They are now staying with family.

Friday, Feb 25, 2011: At 10:00 a.m. in Ipswich, the Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded when a 30 unit senior and
disabled housing complex caught on fire. Even though the local fire department contained the fire to 1 unit, all 38 residents had to evacuate to the adjacent warming shelter at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Ipswich. The Red Cross volunteers assisted local community officials at the church by passing out blankets, doing psychological first-aid and helping serve food. Several TV crews were present including NECN (story here) and Channel 5 provided live coverage. An article about the fire made the front page of the Salem Evening News, and the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts was mentioned near the end of the article here

Friday, Feb 25, 2011: At 10:00 pm in Ipswich, 3 members of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to a 3-alarm house fire on Island Park Rd. The house was totally destroyed, but the family of 4 had a place to go for the night. At the time, they declined Red Cross services pending meeting with their insurance agent. The Salem Evening News had a front page story about this fire

January 2011

January 18, 2011: The American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts assisted two families after a fire destroyed their apartments on Bennett St. in Beverly. Services provided to the families included food, clothing, bedding, hotel, and rent assistance. Full news article here

January 30, 2011: 18 families were temporarily displaced from a senior housing center at Heritage Towers in Amesbury when the sprinkler system went off during a kitchen stove fire. The fire was put out quickly; however, 2 floors of the 10 floor building were dripping with the water used to douse the fire. The building has 102 units, and thankfully most were able to return to their apartments when the power was returned and the building inspected.

December 2010

December 27, 2010: The American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts received a call asking for help manage a shelter at the Hilton Senior Center on Lafayette St. in Salisbury. There had been flooding along Beach Road forcing some residents into the storm. Two Red Cross volunteers responded and quickly organized a shelter with the local emergency management staff for 19 residents. Later, additional Red Cross volunteers arrived in the Emergency Services Vehicle with additional supplies.

December 28, 2010: There was a fire in Manchester that Red Cross responded to. A family of 3 was helped with food, clothing, and rent.

December 30, 2010: A Gloucester family of 3 was temporarily displaced by a fire in their apartment. Red Cross provided food, clothing and bedding while they stayed with relatives.

November 2010

November 29, 2010: The American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts responded to two fires during the month of November. Together, the fires totally destroyed four families' homes. Our Disaster Action Team responded to both fires.

On November 20, 2010, there was a two-family fire in Salisbury. Our chapter provided emergency lodging, counseling,

and funds to buy baby supplies and clothing, including winter coats.

On November 28th, there was a two family fire on Twin Lights Circle in Rockport. Four members of our DAT team

responded and assisted the families with emergency needs and we will continue to work with them to help them get

back on their feet. Together, the Red Cross can comfort those in need. Together, we can save a life.

October 2010

October 21, 2010: American Red Cross Launches Citizen CPR Campaign to Educate 5 Million People Across the U.S. In Hands-only CPR By End Of 2011~With the increasing importance of compression

only or “hands only” CPR in many cardiac emergencies, the American Red Cross (national headquarters)

announced an initiative to educate 5 million people in 2011 about the use of this potentially lifesaving technique.
Hands-only CPR is a technique that involves simply using chest compressions on an individual who

has suffered sudden cardiac arrest. The technique involves no mouth to mouth contact and is

best used in emergencies outside of hospitals where a bystander has seen another person suddenly collapse.
*Download a free instructional guide here

September 2010

September 3, 2010: Red Cross Responding to Hurricane Earl~The American Red Cross encourages individuals

to Be Red Cross Ready by reviewing the Hurricane Safety Checklist. Residents should also survey their

individual emergency plans.

Read More here..

August 2010

August 18, 2010: As we reach the height of hurricane season this month and next (September), the warm weather and especially warm water that help feed hurricanes and tropical storms might travel farther up the East Coast than in recent years. To prepare, the American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts is participating with Red Cross chapters across the nation in a new disaster relief fundraising drive.

Read More here..

August 18, 2010: Since late July, heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan triggered widespread damage~ causing flash floods, claiming the lives of more than 1,000 people and affecting at least 20 million other people. To help those impacted by the flooding in Pakistan, please make a donation online to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

For full coverage from the Red Cross, click here...

August 2, 2010: At the recent Board of Directors' Retreat, newly elected board members were announced. In addition, the efforts of the Disaster Action Team were discussed including a presentation of powerful statistics of our responses made to disaster incidents during fiscal year 2010.

Read More here..

July 2010

July 4, 2010: A 5-alarm fire at 5 Mill Street in Beverly destroyed 10 apartments in a building owned by the YMCA of the North Shore and the Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition. Power was shut off to several other apartment buildings causing residents to be evacuated. Seven families are now homeless and will need permanent housing. More than 20 trained Disaster Action Team volunteers responded on the 4th of July and during the days since the fire to assist residents of the affected buildings. The American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts is assisting affected residents with emergency needs at this time.

March 2010

March 15, 2010: Members of the Disaster Action Team mobilized to help residents cope with and recover from the impact of the devastating flooding caused by unusually heavy rain over a very short period of time. The DAT responded not only throughout our 15 communities but a number of them responded to assist clients from other chapters in Eastern Massachusetts.

Students and faculty of the Georgetown Middle School raised almost $2000.00 to assist with relief efforts in Haiti.

February 2010

February 28, 2010: Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to assist at emergency shelters during the severe winter storm. Read More...

February 22, 2010: Disaster Action Team responds to 3-alarm fire at the Heights in Gloucester. Read More...

February 1, 2010: Seeking Nominations for Community Heroes (page)

Students of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and the Miles River Middle School raise over $8,000.00 for Haiti Relief! Read More...

Disaster Action Team volunteers have had a very busy winter season responding to emergencies throughout our 15 communities. Read More...

October 2007

October 25, 2007: Southern California Wildfires Bring out Massive Movement of Red Cross Resources
October 23, 2007: American Red Cross Offers “Trick” to Safety this Halloween

August 2007

August 29, 2007: New Disaster Volunteer Training Clas (pdf)

July 2007