American Red Cross in
New York State Recognizes
Legislators of the Year
January 28, 2020 Albany, NY – The American Red Cross in New
York State today celebrated six legislators for their commitment to building
more resilient communities. The Red Cross in New York State is composed of
three regions – Greater New York, Eastern New York, and Western New York – and
legislators from each region were presented this honor: Majority Leader Andrea
Stewart Cousins, Sen. Timothy Kennedy, Sen. Joseph Robach, Asm. Al Stirpe, Asm.
Angelo Santabarbara and Asm. Marcos Crespo.
“We are so grateful for the partnership we share with our
legislators across the state. Their commitment to improve the lives of their
constituents aligns with the Red Cross’ mission to prevent and alleviate human
suffering in the face of emergencies. They each share in our humanitarian spirit
and we are honored to recognize them for their efforts to help build more
resilient communities,” said Susan
Rounds, Gary Striar, and Alan H. Turner II, the three CEOs of the American Red
Cross Regions in New York State.
2020
Legislator of the Year Background
In the Greater New York Region, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins was recognized for
her involvement in the Missing Types Campaign, an annual effort by the Red
Cross to raise the awareness of the need for blood donations. In addition,
Leader Stewart Cousins also rolled up her sleeves to install smoke alarms in
Yonkers, NY, during the Red Cross’ 2019 South the Alarm Campaign. The Sound the
Alarm campaign helps to raise awareness of the importance of having working
smoke alarms.
Also,
in the Greater New York Region, Asm.
Marcos Crespo was recognized for his support of humanitarian relief efforts
on Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, including the work of the Red Cross. Asm.
Crespo also served as a Red Cross Champion for the Sound the Alarm campaign in
the Bronx, helping protect local residents from the dangers of home fires.
In
the Eastern New York Region, Asm. Angelo
Santabarbara was recognized for his longtime support of the American Red
Cross and his frequent participation in events. Asm. Santabarbara served in the
United States Army Reserve for eight years and has remained involved with local
veterans’ service organizations since his honorable discharge in 1998. He is
the founder of the first AMVETS Post in his hometown of Rotterdam and served as
Post Commander from 2012-2015. Asm. Santabarbara has participated in several Red
Cross telethons to support disaster relief and is currently partnering with the
Region for its Sound the Alarm signature smoke alarm installation event in
Amsterdam this Spring.
In the Western New York Region, Senator Tim Kennedy was recognized for his support of the Sound the
Alarm campaign, which has saved 699 lives across the country, including 25 in the
Western and Central New York Region, by installing free smoke alarms. Sen.
Kennedy also works to prepare his constituents to respond to disasters by hosting
several Citizens Preparedness Corps trainings in his district. Finally, Sen.
Kennedy has been a constant advocate for the importance of blood donation.
The Western New York Region also recognized Senator Joseph Robach for his longtime
support and his participation in several telethons after a series of severe
hurricanes, including for victims of Hurricane Maria. His personal presence and
efforts helped pack three trucks of supplies and raise almost $50,000 for
disaster victims. Sen. Robach is also recognized for his longstanding
commitment to the well-being of our local military heroes. By sharing
information on Red Cross Services to Armed Forces program with his
constituents, and attending the annual Greater Rochester Military Reconnection
Brunch, he has helped ensure our heroes receive the support and recognition
they deserve.
The Western New York Region also recognized Asm. Al Stirpe for his annual
sponsorship of a community blood drive in July – one of the largest drives in
Central York. In 2019, the drive brought in 146 units, and since 2007 he has
helped the Red Cross collect nearly 1,500 units of lifesaving blood. In
addition, Adm. Stirpe has helped raise awareness of a campaign that has saved 699
lives across the country, including 25 in Western and Central New York, by
installing free smoke alarms.
This is the second year the American Red Cross in New York
State has recognized New York State legislators for their work alongside the
Red Cross. In 2019, the legislators of the year were Asm. Richard Gottfried, Asm.
Crystal People Stokes, Sen. Thomas O’Mara and Asm. John McDonald.
During its most
recent fiscal year (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019) the Red Cross performed the
following services in New York State:
·
Responded
to 3,727 local emergencies and
assisted 8,454 families;
·
Provided
fire safety education in 14,349
households;
·
Installed
41,119 new smoke alarms;
·
Collected
202,399 units of blood through 3,419 blood drives;
·
Educated
11,437 grade school children in
emergency preparedness;
·
Assisted
more than 7,370 members of the military
and their families;
·
Maintained
readiness of 9,611 volunteers;
·
Trained
27,222 people through the NYS Citizens Preparedness Corps program.
About the American Red
Cross:
The
American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of
disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that
save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members
and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends
on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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