Last year was a busy one for the American Red Cross, which responded to 400 local disasters throughout the North Country, including St. Lawrence County’s Ice Storm 2013.

“This year, the Red Cross continued to serve the people of Central New York through the dedicated work of its staff and volunteers,” said Rosie Taravella, Chief Executive Officer of the Central New York Region. “This was a busy year and we are so very thankful for everyone who supported our efforts to help those in need.”

The American Red Cross Central New York Region covers 16 counties: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Tioga and Tompkins.

When the recent ice storm left about 30,000 people in Northern New York without power, the Red Cross opened shelters in Norwood, Watertown and Harrisville with a total of 13 overnight stays; deployed 29 volunteers and eight staff members to transport supplies, work at the shelters, provide mental health counseling and perform other tasks; provided 230 blankets, 215 cots, 90 comfort kits and 96 hot meals to fire departments and other organizations for their shelters; and worked with its partners to provide food for the 73 residents who stayed at those non-Red Cross shelters.

And in addition to those responses, the Central New York Region provided lodging, food, clothing and other necessities to 1,113 people from 652 families who were impacted by other disasters such as house fires in 2013.

The work of the American Red Cross is made possible by donations. Donations can be made by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions can also be sent by mail to your local Red Cross office.