Red Cross Unveils Renovated Chapter Headquarters In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — For 140 years, the American Red Cross has provided hope and help to countless people. On Thursday night in Greenwich, the community gathered to celebrate the opening of a building that will ensure that hope and help gets delivered to all those who need it for years to come.

The American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter unveiled its state-of-the art, renovated headquarters in Greenwich at 99 Indian Field Road with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

The chapter serves Westchester County, Rockland County, Greenwich, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The first Greenwich Red Cross chapter was founded in 1914.

The $3 million project modernized the entire facility on all three floors, and is highlighted by the new Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center, which is now the only permanent blood collection site in the entire New York metro area.

During construction, the Red Cross continued to provide services from its offices in Hawthorne, N.Y., as well as in the community. The second floor houses the new blood donation center and the first and third floors support other Red Cross programs and services: disaster response, preparedness, service to the armed forces and international services programs, as well as daily administration.

The first floor of the building features a multi-purpose and modular space with updated technology, room for hands-on practice, and the ability to break into smaller groups classes.

The third floor of the building features workspaces for Red Cross team members.

In remarks leading up to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter, said the building and the Greenwich community are both special.

"The Red Cross has always been there for our community," she said. "This building represents so many things to so many people. It's really the heart of the Red Cross here in Greenwich."

The Red Cross moved into the current facility in 2002 just after the 9/11 attacks.

"Since then for nearly 20 years, the mission of the Red Cross has not changed, but how we get our work done certainly has. That is what you see reflected in our new state-of-the-art facility," said Jill Coyle, Board Chair for the NY Metro North Chapter who helped donate and contribute to the renovation campaign.

"At the Red Cross, we have five lines of service. Throughout this renovation project, the committee worked hard to ensure there is space supportive of each aspect of our mission; space that is reflected of their needs and inclusive of the needs of the communities we serve."

Coyle was the first donor to give blood last week in the center that bears her and her husband's name.

Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Donor Services for the Red Cross, spoke about the impact the donor center will have on people.

"We will likely collect this next year close to 5,000 red cells and close to 2,000 platelet products," he said. For the first time, the chapter will be able to collect plasma and platelets, which are critical in treating cancer patients. "Thousands of people will be touched and saved, their lives sustained, through the efforts of this community and this site. That is just remarkable."

Todd Korbusch, a Darien resident who grew up in Greenwich, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Sezary Syndrome in 2015. He was looking at only a few months to live, but thanks to treatment, involving stem cell transplants and blood transfusions with the help of a matching donor in Honolulu, Hawaii, Korbusch beat his illness.

"I want to thank the American Red Cross, because without your efforts, I wouldn't be here today," he said Thursday night.

To support this renovation project, the Red Cross launched the Metro NY North PreResponder campaign, led by Red Cross Board Members Heather Wise, Pam Farr, and Giovanna Miller. Farr served as Board Chair during the original move in 2002 to Indian Field Road, and was CEO of the then Greenwich chapter during 9/11.

Farr said $1 million for the renovation campaign has been raised through private donors. Public donations are now open in order to get to the $3 million goal.

"It's an ambitious goal, but this community has shown its compassion and generosity for over a century. With your help, we can ensure that this building will continue to be the heart of the Red Cross in our area, serving members in the entire Metro NY North Chapter community whenever and wherever they need us," Farr said.

First Selectman Fred Camillo was in attendance, and he said he was thrilled to help cut the ribbon and unveil the building. He explained the importance of the Red Cross to Greenwich, which became evident recently when Hurricane Ida slammed into the region.

"It's an honor to be here to celebrate the opening of a building for the local chapter of an organization that's been around for 140 years, and here in Greenwich since 1914," Camillo said. "Whether it's emergency preparedness, disaster services, blood services, the Red Cross is our go-to organization."

For more information on the building and to learn how to donate, click here.