March has been recognized as American Red Cross Month for more than 70 years. The Greater Rochester Chapter was very busy during March 2017, with events including the return of the Fire & Ice Gala, relief efforts following a massive windstorm, a salute to our military heroes, veterans and their families, and a celebration of Clara Barton and the first American Red Cross Chapter in Dansville, NY.

“Red Cross Month is the perfect time to honor the volunteers, blood donors and financial contributors who bring hope to our neighbors in need, and this year really highlighted how vital these services can be to the Greater Rochester community,” said James Love, Executive Director of the Greater Rochester Chapter. “Our services directly touch over 68,000 people in this community every year. I am proud to thank everyone who makes that work possible 365 days a year, particularly last month when we re-launched a signature event and provided relief and comfort to hundreds devastated by windstorms and power outages.”

FIRE & ICE GALA
On March 4, the Red Cross hosted the return of the Fire & Ice Gala at the Wintergarden at One Bausch & Lomb Place. Over 300 guests came together to honor three deserving community partners and celebrate with great food and live music, raising over $70,000 to support Red Cross services in the Greater Rochester area. More than 500 generous donors, sponsors, winning auction bidders, and volunteers supported the Fire & Ice Gala, including the following individuals and business who made a leadership commitment of $500 or more:

Admar Supply Company
Auto Finishers Supply Co.
Bergmann Associates
Bond, Schoeneck & King Attorneys
Mr. John Buttrill
Canandaigua National Bank
Dixon Schwabl
Fabulous Flowers and Gifts
I. Gordon Corp.
The Greater Rochester Red Cross Board of Directors 
Griffith Insulation
Ms. Nikki Hamblin
Harris Beach PLLC
Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP
Hilton Garden Inn Orlando
Jet Blue
R.L. Kistler, Incorporated
Kodak
Landmark Electric
LeChase Construction
Legends 102.7
Leonard’s Express Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Levy
Lewis Tree Service
Mr. Lou Langie
Monroe Piping and Sheet Metal LLC
National Fire Adjustment
O’Brien and Gere
Ms. Rita Reicher
The Rochester Red Wings
Servpro of South-East Monroe County
Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits
That Party Band
Thomson Reuters
Tompkins Bank of Castile
Town & Country Travel
Trillium Health
UA Local 13 plumbers, Pipefitters, & Service Techs
Vila Paraiso
Walt Disney World
Ms. Allison Warren
Woods Oviatt Gilman

On Wednesday, March 8, wind gusts at times over 80 MPG ripped through the Western and Central New York Region, leaving thousands without power. The Red Cross responded immediately, mobilizing a workforce of over 100 volunteers to provide relief and support to those in need. Over 415 overnight stays were provided at 15 Red Cross and community shelters, including the David R. Gantt Community Center and at Monroe Community College. Volunteers also served over 1,700 meals and snacks, made more than 280 health and mental health contacts, and distributed more than 345 relief items.

The Red Cross is only able to provide these vital community services thanks to the support of the public. On Monday, March 10, WROC-TV hosted a telethon, with News 8’s John Kucko and Allison Warren broadcasting live from the Greater Rochester Chapter throughout the morning, afternoon and early evening in support of Disaster Relief, which allows the American Red Cross to provide immediate relief after disasters large and small, including 386 home fires in Livingston, Monroe and Ontario Counties last year. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations across the community, including the following organizations which made leadership gifts, News 8’s live broadcasts helped raise over $179,000 to support Disaster Relief in Greater Rochester:

Avangrid Foundation
R.G.&E. / NYSEG
Exelon / R.E. Ginna Power Plant
The Farash Foundation
National Grid
The Polisseni Foundation
The United Way of Greater Rochester
Wright Beverage Distributing