The warnings came early and often from the National Weather Service, telling all of New England to prepare for temperatures that would plummet into the negative double digits the first weekend of February. But as any Red Crosser knows, the mission doesn’t stop for the cold – in fact, it usually gets much bigger.

On February 3 and 4, our Disaster Action Teams were part of one of the busiest weekends in recent memory, opening 71 cases and assisting 134 households across the state. For comparison, a typical winter weekend sees an average of 14 cases per weekend, impacting roughly 34 households. Those responses include providing condolence care after a tragic fatal fire and opening a temporary shelter for residents displaced by flooding.

“We didn’t miss a call, we didn’t let down a partner, and most importantly, we helped every client,” said Tim Pitoniak, Chief Disaster Officer for the Red Cross of Massachusetts. “I could not be more grateful to work with a team of such talented and extraordinary humanitarians.”

The American Red Cross is committed to serving every community in Massachusetts by providing lifesaving blood products, and preventing, preparing for, and responding to local disasters. The Red Cross is the only blood services provider that also offers health and safety training, serves as a vital communication link between military personnel and their families, teaches disaster preparedness, and provides relief to victims of disasters.