Early in September, Jennifer Balog, American Red Cross Community Chapter Executive, was the Little Falls Rotary Club after dinner speaker. The Red Cross Mohawk Valley Chapter stretches from Rome, through Herkimer to Cooperstown and Sidney.

Balog explained the programs provided by the Red Cross, which included services to the Armed Forces, helping over 1500 families last year; health and safety through training and education; blood services, holding 103 blood drives and collecting 3000+ pints of blood during the last year.

Most visibly, the Red Cross is associated with emergencies, such as the local floods in Herkimer County. During that emergency, over 300 volunteers came from a wide area to help, with 100 turning up in the first hour, over 30,000 meals and snacks were served, 23,000 relief items dispensed, and helped over 1,800 individuals cope with the distress caused by the magnitude of the flooding.

Balog said that the Red Cross is immensely grateful for the many donations, as well as all the local businesses, who donated a tremendous amount of food and supplies. The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers and if you are interested, please contact their local office (315) 733 4666.

Pictured from left to right are Wendy Mucica, John Scarano (both Rotarians), Jennifer Balog (red Cross) and Mark Ruffing (Rotarian).