In Case You Missed It - July 6, 2015

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 98 adults and 39 children following 40 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Supplies for our Home Fire Safety event in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.

(photo credit: Caroline Sherwin)

Last Week in Review

• Early last week Raul Rivera Nunez, Greater NY Disaster Cycle Services Regional Director, returned home after a month-long deployment to Nepal. Stay tuned for more info on Raul’s work in South Asia.
• Last Tuesday, Metro NY North volunteers installed nearly 30 smoke alarms in homes and apartments in Mount Vernon, N.Y. The event was part of our Home Fire Safety Campaign.
• Last week, Maria Millan was one of five Greater NY staff members lending a hand to support the Red Cross response to the Texas storms. 
• It was a busy 4^th of July for the Red Cross in Greater NY. From Westchester to Brooklyn to Manhattan, our volunteers answered the call, helping more than 30 local residents following fires and other emergencies. Thank you to all who put your holiday plans on hold to help your neighbors in need.
• While on assignment in Haiti last week, our very own Communications Officer, Michael de Vulpillieres, posted some more photos and personal accounts from the field.
• Last week our friends at the French Red Cross, also coping with scorching temperatures, provided a purrrrfect reminder to hydrate, advice that will come in handy here in Greater NY these next few days. Here are some more summer safety tips, this time in English.

Upcoming Events 

• July 11, 12, 18 and 25: Volunteers are needed to support the upcoming Home Fire Safety Campaign events in Brooklyn, Suffolk Co., Westchester Co., Orange Co. and Queens. The campaign aims to reduce injuries and deaths due to home fires by installing free smoke alarms and disseminating fire safety info. If you’d like to volunteer for the campaign, sign up on our website by selecting “Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Volunteer.” Current volunteers should sign up through Volunteer Connection.