Red Cross coin collection day set for May 13

NEWTON - “Spare any change?” Those words will be uttered for the first time ever by members of the Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross on Saturday, May 13, when the chapter stages its first-ever coin collection at four locations around the county. The locations include Hopatchung Road at River Styx Road in Hopatcong; Routes 515 and 94 in Vernon; Main Street and Sparta Avenue in Sparta; and the intersection of Route 616 (Sparta Avenue) and Diller Avenue in Newton. “Quite a few of the donations received by our chapter are earmarked for specific disasters that have occurred and to which people are responding,” noted Kristi Young, director of programs and services for the local chapter. Noting that this is the first time the group has held a coin collection fund raiser, she added, “We cannot utilize those donations for our own day-to-day operations. Many people do not realize the American Red Cross is not a government organization, and that we must raise our own funds to operate our chapter here in Sussex County. “The coin collection is a way to raise operating funds,” Young continued. “These funds stay in the county and are re-invested in the programs and services the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross provides on a year-round basis.” She said the chapter expects to hold the coin collection on an annual basis going forward. “The American Red Cross’ primary mission is disaster prevention, preparedness, and relief,” she explained. “Probably the most common disasters the Sussex County chapter responds to are the numerous fires which usually wreak havoc one family at a time. “We respond to the needs of these families, as well as the needs ...stemming from other disasters, natural and man-made, that occur from time-to-time. It takes planning, organization, trained volunteers, and money to help our neighbors at these times. Activities such as our first-ever coin toss will help make sure the money is there when needed.,” said Young. Gifts and donations to Sussex Red Cross are re-invested in programs and services in Sussex County. Donations may be sent to Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 93 Spring St., Newton, NJ 07860. For information, call 973 579-1600 or log on to sussexredcross.org.