American
Red Cross
www.ccnjredcross.org
Local
Red Cross Chapter Thinks Big
Walking into the American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads
Chapter may inspire feelings of nostalgia. The
Summit-based, non-profit
organization is located on Springfield Avenue in a home that
came to the organization during the 1950s thanks to a benefactor’s
generosity. Its domed circular hall greets visitors, recalling
the chapter’s founding in 1917. Stately portraits hang
between fluted columns in tribute to more than nine decades
of volunteers’ service. Moving through the halls of
the chapter house, the past quickly yields to the present,
revealing
an organization that is focused on the future and excellent
service to our 21st century community. “We are a small chapter, thinking big,” said Colonial
Crossroads Chapter Executive Director Christy Hodde. “Our
goal is to train at least one person in every home, business
and classroom to be able to respond to emergencies. We want
our local citizens to, as we call it, Be Red Cross Ready.”
“There are approximately 115,000 residents in our service
area so it cannot happen overnight,” Hodde admits. “It
takes time to educate the public, recruit volunteers and raise
money. Success will require sustained action in the years to
come.”
“But whenever I walk through the front door of our beautiful
chapter house, I’m inspired by the past to make sure
that in the not-too-distant future every person in our community
knows the Colonial Crossroads Chapter of the American Red Cross
is here and ready to serve them."
Serving the Community The local Colonial Crossroads Chapter of the Red Cross is active
in the community and ready to serve the residents of Summit,
as well as Berkeley Heights, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township,
East Hanover, Florham Park, Long Hill Township, Madison, New
Providence, and Springfield.
Every day of the year, local Red Cross volunteers are
in action: responding to house fires and floods;
training neighbors in
life-saving skills, providing a safe and plentiful blood
supply. Sustained by a corps of approximately 500
active volunteers,
the organization is a local chapter making a local impact.
In 2007, the chapter:
• Distributed more than 49,000 pieces of disaster preparedness
educational materials;
• Trained more than 17,000 participants in life-saving skills
such as First Aid, CPR, the use of an AED, babysitting, water
safety and life-guarding;
• Provided 9,286 free rides for Union County seniors to medical
appointments;
• Delivered 4,200 meals to seniors in partnership with Sage Eldercare
Meals-on-Wheels;
• Generated nearly 1,586 units of blood through 51 blood drives;
• Helped 20 local families communicate with a family member serving
in the U.S. Armed Forces during a time of emergency.
Change a life, Support your local Colonial Crossroads Chapter Donations
to the Colonial Crossroads Chapter are used to help people
locally – to help us respond to house fires and
floods; to help us train neighbors in life-saving skills; to
provide a safe and plentiful blood supply – and more.
Our Chapter receives no sustained financial support from
the national American Red Cross and no government
funding. The
strength and viability of the Red Cross in our area is based
solely upon the level of financial support and volunteer
engagement we can obtain from our community.
Please support Colonial Crossroads Chapter programs and
services through a gift of money, time or blood.
Visit us online at
www.ccnjredcross.org to learn more.
We save lives, You can too Enjoy the special rewards of helping others as a Red Cross
volunteer. From frontline work at disaster scenes to helping
around the office, there is a Red Cross volunteer job to suit
you. Hours are based on your availability and free training
is provided.
Volunteers
are needed in every department and aspect of Red Cross service
delivery, especially drivers to transport individuals
to medical appointments, blood drive staff, disaster recovery,
health & safety instructors, youth services, fundraising & development,
marketing & communications and administrative volunteers.
For
more information on volunteer opportunities and to discuss
a role
that’s right for you, please contact Marissa Hottat
at hottatm@ccnjredcross.org or (973) 377-0455.
Red Cross History Founded by Clara Barton in 1881 following the Civil War, the
American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers
and guided by its congressional charter and the Fundamental
Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. In its
early years, the Red Cross responded to emergencies both nationally
and internationally.
Today, the Red Cross is synonymous with humanitarian relief
efforts and recognized as a leader in preparing communities
to respond to emergencies and disasters. The Colonial Crossroads
Chapter is one of more than 700 others around the country that
comprise the national American Red Cross organization.
The Colonial Crossroads Chapter has served the residents of
Summit, as well as Berkeley Heights, Chatham Borough, Chatham
Township, East Hanover, Florham Park, Long Hill Township, Madison,
New Providence, and Springfield since 1917. Local Red Cross
programs and services include disaster preparedness education
and response services; life-saving skill training such as CPR,
AED, First Aid, and water safety; armed forces emergency services,
transportation and blood services.
American Red Cross Colonial Crossroads Chapter Contact information
Summit Office:
695 Springfield Ave.
Summit, N.J. 07901
(908) 273-2076
Madison Office:
1 Madison Ave.
Madison, N.J. 07940
(973) 377-0455
www.ccnjredcross.org
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