In Case You Missed It - August 7

Mayor Richard Thomas of Mount Vernon recorded a PSA on Tuesday in support of the Sound the Alarm. Save a Life. program.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 73 adults and 53 children following 42 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday night, Greater NY Red Cross live tweeted during the premiere of “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.” Earlier in the week, in preparation for the “international disaster,” Greater NY Red Cross published a blogpost highlighting several Red Cross programs that could help the public survive the fifth ‘Sharknado.’
• On Saturday, Greater NY Red Cross held its annual youth summit, participated in by numerous Red Cross clubs from around NYC.
• Greater NY Red Cross hosted its All-Staff Summer BBQ on Thursday afternoon at Bowline Point Park, including volunteers from the Long Island and Metro NY North chapters.
• Erin Patrice O’Brien, a Brooklyn-based professional portrait photographer, has volunteered with the Red Cross for the past few months documenting the stories of Red Cross volunteers and employees. On Wednesday, her “take-over” of the Greater NY Red Cross Instagram page came to an end with her final contribution to the #MyRedCrossLife series.
• Metro NY North volunteers delivered help and hope to two families in Sullivan County after two local emergencies on Wednesday.
• LI Red Cross officials attended National Night Out in Wyandanch, NY on Tuesday. The program was well attended by parents, children, and residents of the Wyandanch community. Congressman Peter King dropped by to speak with our volunteers and Suffolk County Police Department's Disaster Response team and the 1st Precinct also participated in this community event. Metro NY North Red Cross participated as well in Orange County with their emergency partners.
• Numerous state officials have partnered with the Red Cross on the Sound the Alarm. Save a Life. program, helping to make New York communities safer from home fires by installing free smoke alarms. On Tuesday, Greater NY Red Cross continued to thank several officials for their partnership and support, including Mayor Richard Thomas of Mount Vernon, who recorded a PSA for the program.
• Metro NY North Red Cross volunteers assisted 28 adults and 25 children on Tuesday following an apartment building fire in Spring Valley, providing emergency housing, financial aid and referrals.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• 7x a day, someone in the U.S. dies in a home fire. Help #EndHomeFires by joining Sound the Alarm.Save a Life., a series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events. In addition to installing smoke alarms, there’s also a new way to help: peer-to-peer fundraising on CrowdRise! To join the team, click on your Red Cross chapter: Greater NY, Long Island, Metro NY North
• Aug 8-11, 14: Red Cross blood drives will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Greater NY Red Cross building located at 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Aug 22-27: Do you like to volunteer? Do you like golf? If so, have we got an opportunity for you! Sign up today to volunteer at THE NORTHERN TRUST at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, NY. For $75, you gain daily access to the tournament for you and a guest, a logoed polo shirt and baseball cap, and much more. Plus, your efforts will support the mission of the American Red Cross. Learn more here.