For more than 20 years, the American Red Cross "Park It" fundraiser was a beloved part of the New York State Fair. Through the extraordinary generosity of Crucible, which donated the use of its parking lot for more than two decades, thousands of fairgoers supported the Red Cross simply by choosing where to park. But "Park It" was always about more than parking cars. It was a place where volunteers welcomed visitors, listened to stories of lives saved through blood donations, families supported after home fires, and military families reconnected during emergencies. It became a meaningful tradition rooted in neighbors helping neighbors.

Following the sale of the property, the new owner graciously allowed the Red Cross to operate the lot for one final Fair season. As plans for the property move forward, the Red Cross will no longer be able to continue the fundraiser. Its conclusion creates an estimated $150,000 gap in funding for essential local services. Across Eastern New York, the Red Cross responds to more than 800 disasters each year, collects more than 110,000 units of lifesaving blood, supports military members and their families, and trains more than 30,000 people annually in CPR, first aid, and other lifesaving skills.

Today, we are asking our community to Park It Forward. If you have ever parked with the Red Cross at the New York State Fair, please consider making a gift equal to what you would have spent to park your car. Your support will help ensure the Red Cross can continue providing help, hope, and compassion when our neighbors need it most.

The parking lot may be gone, but the opportunity to make a difference remains.

The tradition has changed, but our mission has not.