Local American Red Cross Receive Grants

Four local chapters from the Finger Lakes Region of the American Red Cross have been awarded grants from the Masonic Service Bureau of Greater Rochester. The Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, June 17th at the Masonic Service Bureau Headquarters in Webster, NY. Regional Gifts Manager, Melanie Barnas-Simmons, was on hand to accept the awards on behalf of the four Red Cross Chapters. American Red Cross Chapters awarded grants include: The Wayne County Chapter in Newark, The Northern Livingston County Chapter in Geneseo, The Clara Barton Chapter #1 in Dansville and The Yates County Chapter in Penn Yan. Each Chapter received $300. The Wayne County Chapter will use the funds to provide scholarships for 20 free “I’m in Charge” classes. This unique American Red Cross course teaches children who are home alone the importance of behaving responsibly and how to handle themselves when confronted with a challenge. Topics include first aid, what to do when a stranger comes to the door, telephone tips, and how to react during a power outage. The class is geared toward children ages 8–12. The Northern Livingston County Chapter will use the funds for the Motor Corps Service. The chapter will be able to provide about 25 free rides to the elderly or infirmed who need transportation to and from doctor and hospital appointments. The Clara Barton Chapter #1 will use the funds to repair items and purchase equipment for their medical loan closet. The Yates County Chapter will use the funds to purchase items like toilet paper, detergent and diapers for the Needs N’ Things Community Pantry. “These grants will help our chapters in the rural areas of the Finger Lakes Region provide services that the community has come to depend on,” says Barnas-Simmons. “Many people know the Red Cross provides disaster relief and blood collection but these additional services have become very important in these communities.” Charles Waterstreet, Executive Director of the Greater Rochester Masonic Service Bureau adds, “We are pleased to help the American Red Cross Chapters provide services that really target the youth and the elderly in their communities. We know the money will be helping a lot of people all over the Finger Lakes Region.”