Another Road to (Red) Cross

By James Kennedy

The American Red Cross has outgrown its home of 80 years and with the money raised from its first ever capital campaign it intends to move to a new headquarters about one half a mile away from its current 264 Old Country Road address to 195 Willis Ave.

The American Red Cross are about two thirds towards their monetary goal, however they need a million dollars more to complete the move.

To raise the money, the Red Cross is reaching out to friends of the Red Cross and speaking to the different community Kiwanis and Rotary organizations.

Executive Director Nassau County Red Cross Peter von Berg emphasized that this is the first time the Red Cross has ever asked for money in a capital campaign and will probably be the last time, in his lifetime, that they will.

"It is a struggle raising money for the normal costs," said the director. On average the Red Cross needs one and a half million dollars to run all their programs.

Interested parties can help by donating money by check to the Capital Campaign or Building Fund, 264 Old Country Road, Mineola 11501.

If a person cannot afford to give money then von Berg suggests that they volunteer to serve in the Red Cross. In fact the extra space will be used to train more people in life saving skills.

The new classroom space will host classes on First Aid, CPR and HIV Aids Education taught by some of the 1300 Red Cross volunteers who act as instructors.

The attendance is limited to generally six to 10 students for the classes of eight to 16 hours which can be completed over a period of one to three days.

Once the course is completed, the students are certified in Red Cross training and prove they can successfully execute what they have learned. They are then issued a card stating that they are certified in Red Cross training.

In times of emergency these students, based upon their qualifications, will be called upon to provide assistance. Some volunteers are trained significantly in different areas such as family service, mental health assistance, shelter management and nursing.

Furthermore the new space will be utilized to house emergency response equipment, act as headquarters for major disasters communications between every single shelter out in the field and will be used to house office administrative functions.

The Red Cross hopes to have moved to their new headquarters by March.

Mineola Trustee Warren Brinker, who has toured the new facility commented, "The Red Cross is an invaluable organization." Brinker also expressed his pleasure that the organization decided to stay in Mineola.

Serious consideration was given to keeping the American Red Cross in Mineola, as it has been for the last 80 years, according to von Berg.

Mineola was chosen because as well as being in close proximity to the County Seat, the County Executive and the Health Department, everybody knows that the Red Cross is in Mineola said the director.