In Case You Missed It - May 23

Red Crossers installing free smoke alarms in the Bronx. (Photo: Vivian Moy)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 144 adults and 54 children following 48 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Saturday, Red Cross staff and volunteers were out in the Bronx installing free smoke alarms for the community. They celebrated their hard work with a potluck lunch afterwards organized by the Bronx Disaster Program Manager.
• Also on Saturday, Red Cross volunteers acted as medical spotters for the Brooklyn Half Marathon.
• On Friday, Long Island Red Cross Volunteers were at the Northport VA handing out comfort kits to service members.
• Seventeen Viacom employees celebrated the company’s 20th Viacommunity Day Anniversary by installing smoke detectors in two buildings in Harlem with the Red Cross.
• The Metro New York North Red Cross opened up a shelter for the 8 families with children that were left homeless after an early morning fire. FIOS1 reported on the disaster here.
• One of the survivors from the Yonkers fire, Carmen Lopez, described what it was like to escape the fire and how she was assisted by the Red Cross.
• FIOS1 ran a story about Long Island Red Cross volunteers who were deployed down to Texas to aid in the catastrophic flooding.
• On our latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram photo, volunteer Mike Claudio discusses the satisfaction he gets from installing smoke alarms to homes that need it.
• Also on Thursday, we welcomed a delegation of colleagues from the Red Cross in China to our NYC offices.
• On Wednedsay, Telemundo 47 visited our Manhattan HQ to talk to Red Cross reps about how we as an organization prepare for emergencies and how the general public should prepare. The segment will air on June 1.
• Late Tuesday night, Red Cross staff and volunteers provided emergency housing and financial assistance to 15 Staten Island families after a fire.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• May 23, 26, 31: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• May 27 to 29: The Red Cross will be tabling at the Intrepid during Memorial Day Weekend to distribute information about the Service to the Armed Forces Program.
• June 9: The Long Island Red Cross is holding its annual Red and White Dinner Dance Fundraiser.
• June 11: #GetAlarmedNYC is coming to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home.
• June 25: The Home Fire Preparedness Campaign is to Port Washington, Long Island. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home.