January 6, 2010

To the Editor:

As we enter a New Year, we are reminded that many in our community are less fortunate than we are.  Families were forced to make decisions that have affected their livelihood. As one of many non-profits in the region who on a daily basis fill a need, we have to take stock in those who support our mission. I’d like to bring to your attention a generous gift made by one of our local financial institutions – Key Bank of the Capital Region.  Earlier this month,  Key Bank of the Capital Region made a gift of $2,500 to The American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter.

A $2,500 donation to the Red Cross simply equates to helping those in need and saving lives.  A $2,500 donation will allow 24 families who were affected by a disaster to purchase shoes for their family.  A $2,500 donation will allow us to provide disaster preparedness education to 10 school districts.  A $2,500 donation will provide 5 families shelter after losing their home.

We, as one of many other non-profit organizations in the community, applaud Key Bank’s long and generous relationship.  Key Bank has allowed the American Red Cross to stay true to its mission to prevent, prepare, and respond to disasters.  Thanks to Key Bank, we will be able to provide hope and assistance whenever called upon. 

We, as a community, as a region, as a state, and as a nation have been affected by the recent financial events that have taken place around the world.  It will take the collective efforts of both the non-profit and corporate sector to collectively turn this around. 

I have often said “in times of great tragedy, the human spirit rises and neighbor helping neighbor becomes a way of life.”  This gift from Key Bank to the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter is an example of the human spirit and neighbor helping neighbor.

Thank you for your time.

Eileen Reardon

Executive Director

American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter

About Key Bank

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $101 billion.  Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. For more information, visit key.com.

About the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter

The American Red Cross, Adirondack Saratoga Chapter is dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  Led by a volunteer Board of Directors with 250 other volunteers and 10 paid employees, the local Red Cross is supported by community donations and provides services to Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Hamilton and southern Essex Counties.  Last year the Red Cross ran 650 aquatic courses and 1048 first aid and CPR courses, collected over 19,000 units of whole blood, helped deliver 303 emergency messages for members of our armed forces, and assisted more than 1,250 neighbors who were affected by local disasters.  For more information, visit redcrossadirondacksaratoga.org.