American Red Cross Disaster Relief [Video]

Some girls pack a mean wallop and this past Sunday, Irene became infamous. Blamed for over forty deaths from North Carolina to Maine, the category one storm, downgraded to a tropical storm, did her best to show us that in a smackdown, Mother Nature always plays the upper hand.

Cruising town in a nearly slow motion daze after Irene passed Chester, Connecticut, a few nasty surprises were in store: on the road, off the road, atop houses, even in front of the historic Ivoryton Playhouse where a giant white pine tree snapped and came down, just narrowly missing the building and damaging only the grounds. Due to power outages, the shows at the playhouse have had to be cancelled until further notice.

To aid disaster relief in the tri-town area of Chester, Deep River and Essex, the Red Cross set up a Disaster Relief check-in at the John Winthrop Middle School. Anytime during a disaster, the town's emergency management team decides which one of the predetermined shelter points to use. Located on top of a hill, away from trees and powered by generators, the middle school building was the refuge location chosen for Irene.

Red Cross Shelter Manager, Michael Ranieri, keeps the services and volunteers in good spirits and running order along with his beautiful 3-year-old dog, Cassie, an exceptional Red Cross Services Canine Unit member. 

"We started here on Sunday, August 28th, around 5 o'clock. We'll be here for as long as we're needed, or until all utilities are back up," Ranieri explained. "Right now, we're feeding first responders and volunteers (full meals), but that can change."

The emergency relief centers and the Red Cross are funded mostly by donations, but the emergency management teams of a town also have access to other funding.

The school is open for hot showers, water refills, cell phone charges, snacks and fellowship. Overnight sleepovers are also offered as long as residents check-in.

This Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th, there will be cooked meals available for residents of Essex, Deep River and Chester. Those interested should stop by at 8:00 a.m., noon or 6:00 p.m. For a nominal donation, wholesome meals will be made available for takeout or eating in the cafeteria. 

Regional School District Four (RSD 4) superintendent, Ruth Levy, was on hand to help serve noontime meals and see the great job her staff was doing at John Winthrop. "Right now, we're planning on having the students back to school on Tuesday, September 6th."

Thomas Peterlik, Director of Food Services for RSD 4, is working his first emergency response mission at the school, dressed in his chef's whites with a wide smile and numerous kitchen helpers (see video).

John Winthrop Middle School is located off Route 9 at exit 5, on Route 80 (go west).

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