Somerville, October 12, 2007 - The Greater Somerset County Chapter of the American Red Cross celebrated its 90th anniversary at the 90th Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 9 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

At the meeting conducted by Executive Director Amy Sutton and Board Chair Kellie Hitchye, awards were presented to volunteers and staff members recognizing their dedication and years of service to the chapter. Present and honored that evening were volunteers Peck Wah Woo for five years of service, Connie and Al Donato and Robert Hanlon for ten years of service, Tom Melvin and Nancy Yuzuik for fifteen years, Judith Hanlon and Melba Johnson for twenty years and Norman Danielsen for 25 years of volunteer service. Staff member Health and Safety Director Kenneth Salvatore was honored for ten years as was Susan Caden, Program and Services Coordinator, for twenty years. Inducted as new board members were Judith Beck, Caroline Cullen, Dan Gibson, Toni Hansen, Russell Herzog, Janet Murnick and Govi Rao.

Presentations were also made to honor those community partners who assisted the chapter’s efforts to serve the community. Bruce Van Arsdale from the Van Arsdale Funeral Home of Somerville was honored for assisting the families of a deadly and tragic Manville fire in March 2007. Costco in Bridgewater, represented by Skip Leonhard and Chris Alia, was honored for its assistance during the Nor’easter of April 2007, as were Sheriff Frank Provenzano and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, and Wegmans, represented by Lisa Ruplin. During the Nor’easter of April l2007, the Manville Public Library generously donated their space for a Red Cross Service Center to serve the needs of those affected by flooding. Bill Poch graciously accepted an award on the library’s behalf.

Somerset County Freeholder Jack Ciattarelli was the guest speaker, and Tom Melvin, Athletic Director and Media Coordinator of the Bonnie Brae School in Basking Ridge presented a video presentation about the recent blood drive at Bonnie Brae and also a video about the Nor’easter. Refreshments were donated by the students of the Culinary Arts Program of Hunterdon County Polytech Career Academy.