ROCHESTER, N.Y., Tuesday, August 18, 2009 – American Red Cross staff and volunteers took THE 21st century approach to promoting its annual fundraiser this year, Fire & Ice, and created a Lip Dub video to Bill Haley’s 1956 song, Rock Around the Clock. Nearly 30 Red Crossers along with the help of firemen from the QUINT & Midi 6 Company of the Rochester City Fire Department are swinging and swaying in a Chapter created lip sync/audio dubbed music video to invite the community to its largest event on Saturday, September 12 at the Hyatt.
The theme for the Fire & Ice 2009 Disaster Relief Benefit Auction is “Rock’n Red,” a 50’s and 60’s style Rock & Roll shindig. “We thought it’d be a fun and unique way to get Rochester excited about the largest casual fund raiser in our area, Fire & Ice,” said John Buttrill, CEO of the Greater Rochester Red Cross. “The support from Lieutenant Will Jackson of QUINT & Midi 6 and his crew to get involved was great and it really emphasizes the wonderful partnership we have with first responders. Although this video was a lot of fun to create, the meaning behind the effort is very serious. Each year the chapter spends more than $210,000 responding to local disasters. The goal for Fire & Ice is $120,000.”
All of the money raised from Fire & Ice supports the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help families with emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling and much more after a fire or other disaster. Last year alone the Red Cross helped 1,149 people after a disaster with emergency assistance.
The chairs of the 16th Annual Fire & Ice Benefit Auction are two very energetic and driven young professionals, Jason Brownlie, Vice President of Crosby Brownlie and James Van Thof, Director of Business Development at Life Safety Services.
Nearly 700 guests will enter the party and experience a 50’s-60’s style shindig. The coolest cats will be decked out in everything from letterman sweaters and poodle skirts to bowling shirts and bobby socks. Elvis is scheduled to appear at 6 p.m. and the gig will go strong through 10 p.m.
Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and live entertainment from the local University of Rochester A Capella group the Yellow Jackets, all while bidding on more than 200 silent auction items. The sit down dinner begins at 8 p.m. along with the feature presentation, a compelling video of a world renowned Bonsai Tree Specialist and his family who survived a house fire and was helped by the Red Cross. At 9 p.m. the live auction begins with items ranging from a Lobster Bake for a party of 12, a Rockin’ trip to Cleveland, a personal tour at the Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility, to luxury retreats to New York City, the Thousand Islands and more.
View the Red Cross Music video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/rochesterredcross
For tickets and details on the Fire & Ice Rock’n Red Benefit Auction contact Nadine Krimow, Communications Manager of the Greater Rochester Red Cross at 585-370-1834.
About the Greater Rochester Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.RochesterRedCross.org or contact us at 585-241-4400.