In Case You Missed It - April 27

NEPAL EARTHQUAKE

• The global Red Cross network, led by the Nepal Red Cross, has mounted an international relief effort to provide emergency humanitarian assistance following Saturday’s devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal. While details of the impact continue to come in, the Nepal Red Cross, which has extensive experience in responding to natural disasters, is providing first aid, search and rescue, blood to medical facilities in the capital and support to first responders. Read more about the global Red Cross response to this tragedy and how you can help.
• Our international Red Cross partners have set up a “Family Links” website to search for missing loved ones and to register those who are missing. Click here to visit the site.
• Here in Greater NY, trained Red Cross volunteers are available to address the emotional needs of those worried about loved ones and struggling with the emotional impact of this tragedy. To reach a volunteer for this assistance or for help searching for a missing family member via our “Family Links” website, call 877 RED CROSS (733 2767). Volunteers will also be present in Greater NY communities with a large Nepalese population offering this support in the days to come.   

                       

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 56 adults and 118 children following nearly 40 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events. 

photo credit: Caroline Sherwin

• This weekend, as part of our Home Fire Safety Campaign, the Red Cross volunteers were out in Mt. Vernon (Westchester), Roosevelt (Long Island) and Washington Heights (Manhattan) talking to residents about fire safety and installing free smoke alarms. Thank you to all who supported this life-saving initiative including our amazing partners.
• Early Sunday morning, a fire broke out in a hotel in Alexandria, V.A. where about 100 students from Aviation High School in Queens were staying during a weekend field trip to the DC area. More than half of them lost their belongings and all were forced to relocate in the middle of the night. Our Red Cross colleagues in Virginia were on hand to support the students during this emotionally trying time. Here in Greater NY, the Red Cross mobilized a team at Aviation HS in Long Island City to greet the students returning back to NYC and offer support to them and their parents.
• Last Saturday, Red Cross volunteers were stationed at the Staten Island Mall, talking to residents about volunteering and providing support to participants taking part in an annual community walk.
• Also on Saturday, Red Cross supporters gathered at the NetJets Hangar in Westchester for our annual Red and White event to celebrate our mission and to recognize a special honoree: Major Sargent Juanita Wilson. Special thanks to CNN host of New Day, Chris Cuomo for emceeing.
• Last week, 24-year old Dexia Billingslea spoke to a group of Red Cross supporters about the help she received following a home fire in early April that left her and her children homeless. "Without the Red Cross,” she said, “I don't know what I would have done." 

Upcoming Events   

• May 2: As part of FDNY’s 150-year anniversary kickoff, Red Cross volunteers will be stationed at fire houses across the City, talking to residents about fire safety and scheduling free smoke alarm installations. To learn more and register, click here.
•  May 2: As part of the Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, volunteers will be out in Staten island, N.Y. and Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. installing free smoke detectors and talking to residents about fire safety. To learn more, email volunteernyc@redcross.org (NYC) or volunteermnyn@redcross.org(Lower Hudson Valley).
• May 9: Disaster Institute. The Red Cross is holding an intensive volunteer training day in Mount Vernon, N.Y. To learn more including how to sign up, click here.