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.