By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Officials with the Aroostook County Branch office of the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross has moved into new and larger quarters in downtown Caribou.
“Your Red Cross has moved just a few blocks,” said Joyce Knorr, branch manager “but the facility is just as centrally located and because it is larger we will be able to serve County residents better.”
On Feb. 1, the disaster response and emergency preparation agency will be open for business at 7 Hatch Drive, Suite 250, (behind the Family Dollar Store in the Caribou Office Park building). During the transition week between Jan. 24—28, the Red Cross will continue to be available for emergencies 24 hours a day by phone at 493-4620.
According to Knorr, “the new suite of rooms is really lovely. We have three office spaces, a conference room, and a storage area. Our thanks go to building owners Philip and Janice St. Peter, who have prepared the space so beautifully, making it inviting for everyone, and accommodating the needs of the Red Cross so well.”
Knorr offered her thanks to the residents at the Christopher Home in Caribou, who assisted with the heavy lifting during the move and to the Loring Job Corps Center’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) students and instructors, all who made the move possible. “These wonderful people loaded and moved office equipment and furniture. Just as they did when we moved three years ago from Presque Isle to Caribou, they made the move easy and painless for everyone involved.”
Also receiving praise were local Red Cross disaster volunteers Bob Jordan and Bill Thomas, who provided many hours of packing, loading, unloading and storage equipment dismantling and rebuilding services.
“Your local Red Cross could not respond as quickly or as well as it does without volunteers,” Knorr said. “We are very grateful to Bob, Bill, the Loring CDL students and staff, Phil and Janice St. Peter (owners of the building) and others who made this move possible.”
The move follows expanded operations by Aroostook Region 5 EMS Services, which housed the previous Caribou Red Cross office.
According to Steve Corbin, the Aroostook Region 5 director, “The addition of a Regional EMS Training Center as well as stricter security measures resulted in the need for our organization to pursue other developmental options with regards to occupancy space and our needs for the future.”
“I want to thank Aroostook Region 5 EMS Services for their support for the past three years,” said Knorr, “and for providing affordable office space for the American Red Cross while we occupied their facility.”
There will be an open house for the community at the new Red Cross facility in early March, which is Red Cross Month. The open house date and time will be announced in the near future.
