In Case You Missed It - Mar 16

Red Crossers rang the closing bell of Nasdaq to raise awareness for home fire safety.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 118 adults and 43 children following 56 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday, Red Cross First Aid/Medical Spotters provided support and assistance to the 2015 United Airlines New York City Half Marathon.
• Continuing our month long celebration of volunteers during Red Cross Month, Long Island Red Cross volunteers were celebrated on Saturday. Congrats to our honorees and thank you to all those who support our mission. Also special thanks to volunteer photographer Donna Langdon for providing a wonderful gallery of photos from the event.
• Capping off a busy weekend, Red Cross volunteers taught emergency preparedness to a packed house of the Westchester County Alumni of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Mt. Hope AME Zion Church in Harrison.
• Last Friday, 45+ Red Cross volunteers were out in force canvassing homes in East Harlem and Washington Heights to install 150+ smoke alarms to residents who do not have them. This amazing effort is part of our ongoing #GiveWhatFireTakes campaign that highlights the dangers of home fires.
• Thursday also marked the one year anniversary of the tragic East Harlem Explosion that rocked the city. As we took a moment to reflect on the events of that day during a memorial event held in the morning, our hearts and prayers go out to those who suffered such terrible loss.
• On Wednesday, the Red Cross responded to a mudslide in Yonkers, forced the evacuation of a large apartment building housing a significant senior population. A relief center was opened to provide safe haven, warm meals and emotional support to displaced residents.
• Also on Wednesday, the Red Cross had the honor of ringing the closing bell of Nasdaq to help raise awareness to the importance of fire safety and how you can help by donating to the cause.
• Earlier in the week, a four-alarm fire in Brooklyn left several families on National Drive without homes. The Red Cross was able to provide those families with emergency housing and financial aid for food and clothing.
• While this didn’t happen last week (this took place two Fridays before), we still wanted to spotlight the wonderful work of Long Island Red Cross volunteers who participated in a deployment briefing for 250 Air National Guard service members and their family members at the Gabreski Air National Guard Base. The volunteers provided the service members with information about Red Cross services for Armed Forces.

Upcoming Events

• March 17, 19 & 21: Red Cross blood drive; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Mar. 21: New York City Red Cross volunteers will be recognized at the Battery Gardens in Manhattan from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Stephen Wolfe.