In Case You Missed It - Feb 29

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 181 adults and 42 children following 45 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Partnering with the UJO of Williamsburg, Hatzolah Ambulance and Shomrim Williamsburg Safety Patrol on Sunday, the Red Cross installed over 255 smoke alarms in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) to help make neighborhoods safer.
• On Friday, we took a moment to remember the 1993 World Trade Center bombing on its 23rd anniversary 
• On Thursday, Lynn Duddy, Red Cross CPR/First Aid expert, visited the home of expectant mother and Good Morning America weekend anchor Sara Haines. The two discussed what to do if your child stops breathing, how to get trained and much more. 
• Also on Thursday, the Red Cross held its first ever live-stream of a panel discussion on the humanitarian implications of the Migrant/Refugee Crisis in Europe. You can watch video of the complete panel here.
• In the latest episode of Hope Starts Here, Greg and Marie talk about the aforementioned Refugee panel and share a farewell lunch together at Ogilvy.
• Late Wednesday ABC7 reported the Red Cross was able to assist two families after a building collapse in the East Tremont section of the Bronx.
• Earlier that day, the Red Cross continued to train members of the New York State Chaplain Task Force to help respond to disasters.
• Also on Wednesday, employees of UPS volunteered to assemble care packages for veterans.
• On Tuesday, Metro and NY1 reported the Red Cross was helping 10 displaced families after a 4-alarm fire in the Bronx.
• On Monday, News 12 gave an update to the response of last week’s Brentwood fire.
• CBS New York profiled Brooklyn WWII veteran Stanley "Stan the Man" Kosierowski who was recently honored with a Prisoner of War Medal. He says Red Cross aid saved his life, "Without them I wouldn’t have existed."
   

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Calling all golf lovers! Barclays is looking for support at the PGA tour playoffs this summer from August 23-28 in Farmingdale, LI. Signing up gets you full admission to the tournament for you and a guest. Learn more about this great opportunity. Don't forget to select American Red Cross as your affiliation when you register!
• Mar 3, 7: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today. 
• Mar 5: The #GetAlarmedNYC campaign to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms in the community will make its way to Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn) next month. Volunteer or sign up for a free smoke alarm installation at www.redcross.org/GetAlarmedNYC.
• Mar 5, 12, 16: March is Red Cross Month and we’ll be honoring our volunteers throughout the region with Recognition and Awards ceremonies in Long Island, Metro New York North and Greater New York.
• Mar 12: Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign will be in Huntington Station, Long Island on March 12th installing FREE smoke alarms to residents - make your appointment today! Please call (516) 229-1086 or visit: www.Redcross.org/LIFireSafety.

In Case You Missed It - Feb 22

Manhattan DAT Captain Robert Hall.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 121 adults and 55 children following 55 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, the Metro New York North chapter was busy holding trainings and meetings.
• On Friday, the Long Island Red Cross opened a reception center for residents in Brentwood after a fire forced the evacuation of two apartment buildings.
• What’s the most surprising thing about responding to disasters? Red Cross volunteer Robert Hall shared his thoughts last Wednesday on the latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram.
• On Wednesday, we also blogged about how Red Cross volunteers and partners teamed up to install free smoke alarms and talked to Staten Island residents about fire safety in the neighborhood of West Brighton.
• Thank you to Noodles & Company for supporting the Red Cross out on Long Island by donating a check for $2,225 earlier in the month.
• Last Tuesday, the Somers Record published an article about the previous week’s special Stephanie Crispinelli day.
• Last Monday, the NY Times covered a major 4-alarm fire in Greenpoint, Brooklyn where the Red Cross provided assistance to displaced residents.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Feb 22, 24: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Feb 25: On Thursday, the Red Cross is holding a panel discussion highlighting the humanitarian implications of the European Migrant/Refugee Crisis. RSVP Today.
• Mar 5: The #GetAlarmedNYC campaign to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms in the community will make its way to Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn) next month. Volunteer or sign up for a free smoke alarm installation at www.redcross.org/GetAlarmedNYC.
• Mar 12: Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign will be in Huntington Station, Long Island on March 12th installing FREE smoke alarms to residents - make your appointment today! Please call (516) 229-1086 or visit: www.Redcross.org/LIFireSafety.

Staten Island Volunteers and Residents #GetAlarmedNYC

On Saturday February 6th 100+ Red Cross volunteers and partners teamed up to install free smoke alarms and talk to Staten Island residents about fire safety in the neighborhood of West Brighton. The videos below highlight the importance of this life saving, #GetAlarmedNYC program.



Red Cross Volunteer Zenovia Earl describes her experience installing smoke alarms.



Resident Michely Shimonov explains why she asked the Red Cross to come install smoke alarms in her home.

Resident Sara Rodriguez talks about how the Red Cross helped her get home fire prepared.

In Case You Missed It - Feb 15

Red Cross Volunteer Larry Krantz supporting firefighters at the scene of a fire in New Rochelle. (Photo: Carolyn Sherwin)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 132 adults and 36 children following 75 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Saturday’s freezing temperatures didn’t stop Red Cross volunteers from installing over 170 smoke alarms in the Bronx as part of our Get Alarmed NYC fire safety campaign. One week prior, this community was hit by three fatal fires. See the News 12 Bronx story featuring our this program.
• Dedicated Metro New York North volunteers also braved the cold on Saturday to attend a Shelter Fundamentals Exercise in Hawthorne. 
• On Friday, parents and children at Primrose Elementary assembled over 100 disaster comfort kits in honor of Stephanie Crispinelli, a local hero whose life was cut short by the Haiti earthquake in 2011. See News 12 Westchester’s coverage of the event.
• Last Thursday, we posted a new #MyRedCrossLife Instagram profile: Carla Orozco. Carla shared what inspired her to join the Red Cross. 
• Wednesday, the Red Cross Service of Armed Forces team gave a presentation to the chaplains of NYSCTF as part of a pilot partnership program called Step 1. 
• Early on Wednesday, an apartment fire forced the evacuation of 60 New Rochelle residents. Red Crossers were 'all hands on deck' providing care and compassion to those who needed assistance. 
• On Tuesday, Troop #3345 in Farmingdale participated in the Pillowcase project, a free program sponsored by Disney to teach kids about the importance of emergency preparedness.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Win a Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit by taking the online emergency preparedness training. You’ll be automatically entered to win. This contest is open to residents of New York City, Long Island, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland, Putnam and Westchester Counties. Four winners will be chosen each month (notified via email).
• Feb 15, 16, 17: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today. 
• Mar 5: The #GetAlarmedNYC campaign to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms in the community will make its way to Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn) next month. Volunteer or sign up for a free smoke alarm installation at www.redcross.org/GetAlarmedNYC.

In Case You Missed It - Feb 8

Red Cross Volunteers and Staff installing free smoke alarms in Staten Island. (Photo: Lori-Ann Pizzarelli)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 40 adults and 18 children following 44 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Saturday, hundreds of West Brighton (Staten Island) residents like Sarah Rodriguez welcomed Red Cross volunteers into their homes to install free smoke alarms as part of the #GetAlarmedNYC fire safety education campaign. The Staten Island Advance and NY1 covered the lifesaving effort.
• Friday morning, UPS employees volunteered at the Red Cross to build "Totes of Hope" kits to be distributed to veterans who have proudly served our country in local VA hospitals and stand-down events.
• Continuing our #MyRedCrossLife Instagram series, Tashi Penjor from Elmhurst, N.Y. shared how volunteering with the Red Cross changes his state of mind.
• Last week, we also launched the debut episode of Hope Starts Here, which focused on Josh and Joe meeting at the unique ATM and discussing Joe’s focus and involvement with the #GetAlarmedNYC program.
• Last Wednesday, on the one-year anniversary of the tragic train crash in Valhalla, N.Y., we remembered those who were lost and recognized the heroes who came forward to help via blog post. 
• On Monday, Long Island Board Members Frank Chau and Ming Chiang celebrated John Miller’s tenure at the Red Cross while sharing Chinese New Year traditions (including an 8 course meal) with fellow Board Members in Huntington, N.Y. 
• Prior to Winter Storm Jonas arriving, our Pillowcase Project team taught emergency preparedness to students of P.S. 105 in the Bronx through this innovative program. 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Win a Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit by taking the online emergency preparedness training. You’ll be automatically entered to win. This contest is open to residents of New York City, Long Island, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland, Putnam and Westchester Counties. Four winners will be chosen each month (notified via email).
• Feb 8: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Mar 5: The #GetAlarmedNYC campaign to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms in the community will make its way to Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn) next month. Volunteer or sign up for a free smoke alarm installation at www.redcross.org/GetAlarmedNYC.

Remembering Valhalla: One Year Later

By Peter Belfiore, American Red Cross

One year ago today, the community of Valhalla, N.Y. was forever changed when a Metro North commuter train derailed, caught fire and took six lives. On this painful anniversary, we remember those who were tragically lost that night and we also recognize those everyday heroes who stepped up during unthinkable circumstances to minimize the effects of this tragedy.     

At our Honoring Our Heroes Gala in October, we recognized three of these individuals—James Wallace, Michael Wolfert and Riley Dejong—who performed extraordinary acts after the derailment.

Dejong was not in the country at the time of the Gala so we were delighted to present her with her medal as we approached the one-year anniversary. 

Metro NY North Red Cross CEO Mary Young (R)
presents Riley Dejong with her medal.

The Red Cross was also on the scene that night, providing comfort to shaken passengers, as well as warm food and drink to emergency first responders who worked throughout the night in extreme cold conditions. Learn more about the Red Cross response.

In Case You Missed It - Feb 1

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 87 adults and 15 children following 43 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, the #GetAlarmedNYC campaign received a bright spotlight from ABC7 on their annual Operation 7 Save-A-Life (jump to 3:39 in clip) fire safety special, hosted by anchor Bill Ritter.
• On Sunday, the Red Cross joined several city agencies at Staten Island Borough President James Oddo’s open house. 
• Continuing our #MyRedCrossLife Instagram series, Metro New York North volunteer Aderonke Coker shared what makes her want to volunteer more. 
• On Thursday, the Red Cross had a surprise celebrity visitor: Amy Schumer. Schumer filmed a segment of her popular Inside Amy Schumer show at our Greater New York Red Cross HQ in Hell’s Kitchen. 
• Also on Thursday, the Staten Island Advance featured our home fire safety efforts in the borough. 
• On Wednesday, we blogged about the busy few days for the Red Cross preparing for and responding to Winter Storm Jonas. 
• Earlier in the week, our blog also took a behind-the-scenes look at our incredible Emergency Communications Center representatives, who are at the front lines of our disaster response efforts.  
• The American Red Cross is helping residents of Flint, Michigan during the current water crisis there by working with government, nonprofit and other community partners to help make sure the community receives items such as bottled water, water filters, replacement cartridges and home water testing kits.
  
  

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Feb 3, 5, 8: Red Cross blood drive; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Feb 6: The #GetAlarmedNYC campaign to help save lives by installing free smoke alarms in the community will make its way to West Brighton, Port Richmond and Randall Manor (Staten Island) next month. Volunteer or sign up for a free smoke alarm installation at www.redcross.org/GetAlarmedNYC.