In Case You Missed It - Dec 19

IMAGES OF 2018: A look back at some of the moments that marked 

the last 12 months for the American Red Cross in Greater NY

Over the last 10 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 175 adults and 55 children following 62 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• As 2018 winds down, we are looking back at some of the moments and people that marked the past year for the American Red Cross in Greater New York. Be sure to check out this web recap and this slide show. 
• Yesterday, Metro NY North Red Cross volunteers helped more than a dozen New Rochelle residents left homeless by a fire. 
• Last week our Communications Officer Michael de Vulpillieres reflected on his recent deployment to Northern California in a blog post for the emergency readiness site, Preparation Concierge. 
• On Friday, RAND Engineering and Architecture hosted a Red Cross blood drive. Big thanks to RAND for their partnership! 
• For an upcoming New Yorker of the Week segment, NY1 visited our Manhattan office last Thursday to chat with and feature one of our volunteers. We couldn’t be more excited! Who is being featured? Stay tuned to our Facebook page to find out! 
• On Thursday, we had the honor of hosting the President of the Indonesian Red Cross at our NYC offices. 
• Earlier in the week, our International Services team organizaed a group of staff, including Greater NY Red Cross board members, to visit the United Nations for the IFRC launch of their World Disaster Report. The theme of the 2018 report: Leaving No One Behind. 
• Over the several days, our NYC, Long Island and Metro NY North volunteers gathered for their respective holiday-themed, All-Hands meetings. Thanks to all who attended! 
• Last week, our Community Relations team met with State Senator and Red Cross partner Joseph Addabbo to discuss our work in his district and across the region. 
• Cedric Devoren recently returned home after several weeks in Saipan where he supported Red Cross relief efforts following Typhoon Yutu. Thank you to him and to all our team members from across this region who have deployed this year to support Red Cross relief efforts far from home! 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities 

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Disaster Action Team Member, Recruitment Support Member, Mass Care Team Member. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Dec. 20: A Red Cross blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Better Homes and Gardens Realty, 3928 East Tremont Ave, Bronx, New York 10465. Schedule an appointment to donate today! 
• Dec. 21 and 24: A Red Cross blood drive will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. at the American Red Cross in Greater NY, 520 West 49th Street, New York, New York 10019. Schedule an appointment to donate today! 
• Dec. 22: A Red Cross blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bridge Church, 38 East 1st St., Mount Vernon,New York 10550. Schedule an appointment to donate today! 
• Jan. 13: The American Red Cross is heading to the Bronx to install FREE smoke alarms and provide fire safety information to area residents. Sign up today for your FREE smoke alarm by calling 877-RED CROSS or by visiting soundthealarm.org/NYC. 
• Apr. 15: Would you like to run the Boston Marathon for a good cause? Join the American Red Cross Runners on a Mission at the 2019 Boston Marathon. Be a part of our team and run to help deliver hope to those in their greatest time of need. Apply on our website: www.redcross.org/teamredcrossboston or email teamredcrossboston@redcross.org.

In Case You Missed It - Dec 11

TV anchor Ashleigh Banfield and Red Cross board member goes on a disaster ride-along.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 146 adults and 44 children following 52 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• While installing free smoke alarms out in Freeport over the weekend, Long Island Red Cross volunteers discovered a gas leak during a routine visit and promptly alerted the authorities, preventing what could have been terrible disaster. Good work team!
• On Saturday, the Greenwich Police Department hosted its annual “Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive, a friendly competition between the local police, EMS and fire departments.
• We posted this touching story written by Red Cross volunteer Vivian Moy on our blog. Vivian just returned home from her deployment to Northern California supporting Red Cross response to the Camp Fire.
• On Thursday, the Metro New York North Red Cross hosted a holiday-themed all-hands party for volunteers.
• Thanks to Greenwich Hospital for hosting Holiday Mail for Heroes. So many wonderful messages of thanks were written for our active military and veterans.
• Like his fellow NYC Council Member Robert Holden, Council Member Andrew Cohen showed his support for our Sound the Alarm program by taping a PSA as we are about to embark on a major service delivery partnership in his district to help end home fires.
• The Long Island Red Cross Board of Directors came together for an evening to celebrate a year of successes.
• TV anchor extraordinaire and Red Cross volunteer/board member Ashleigh Banfield joined a disaster ride-along and worked alongside our Red Cross response teams in NYC, supporting displaced families by fires and other disasters.
• Following a 3-alarm fire late Tuesday on Grand Concourse in the Bronx, Red Cross registered 16 families, offering a range of assistance including temporary housing and emergency funds.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities 

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Disaster Action Team Member, Recruitment Support Member, Mass Care Team Member. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org. 
• Dec 11, 14, 17: 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!
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons at their Holiday Soirée: a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets, click here!
• Jan 13: The American Red Cross is heading to the #Bronx to install FREE smoke alarms and provide fire safety information to area residents. Sign up today for your FREE smoke alarm by calling 877-REDCROSS or visiting soundthealarm.org/NYC.
• Apr 15: Would you like to run the Boston Marathon for a good cause? Join the American Red Cross Runners on a Mission at the 2019 Boston Marathon. Be a part of our team and run to help deliver hope to those in their greatest time of need. Apply on our website: www.redcross.org/teamredcrossboston or email teamredcrossboston@redcross.org.

Notes from Deployment: Northern California

By Vivian Moy, American Red Cross in Greater NY

Photo credit Vivian Moy/American Red Cross

Unconditional love...that's what I think of when I see someone with their dog. I met Brandi at the American Red Cross Silver Dollar Fairgrounds shelter a few days ago. Her hair color and vivacious personality caught my eye. I always like friendly people. She has been through so much yet she keeps moving forward.

Brandi lived in Paradise her whole life. This small town is where she worked, got married, had a child, went to church and went to school. She loves her town like I love Port Washington my hometown. She is in a state of grief for many things...the loss of her home and her friends and her way of life as she knew it to be. And also for her peace of mind. She says the nightmares haven't started yet because she can't sleep

Boss (her dog) saved Brandi's life by alerting her to the fire! She had only minutes to escape because the neighbor's home was already on fire when he woke her up! Her grandmother's ring is the only thing she managed to grab on the way out. She hopped into a friends car which they soon had to abandon because the back tire popped from the intense heat! On foot briefly, another friend picked her up and they attempted again to get out of town. But they were gridlocked for a few tense minutes on what seemed like the only road out of town. Seeing the sheriff they got out of the car and asked him where should we go? Which direction? The sheriff replied....just run. Thankfully, the congestion eased and only by driving through a wall of fire on the road did they manage to escape with their lives.

Brandi saw some unspeakable sights that do not bear repeating. Thankfully, we have some wonderful Disaster Mental Health volunteers that Brandi has been talking to with regularity. 

"The Red Cross has been so kind and accommodating especially with Boss. They didn't have to be."

This is just one story of the way the American Red Cross has cared for the evacuees of Paradise. 

Donate if you can. The story is out of the news but our work here continues. #HOPEStartsWithUs

In Case You Missed It - Dec 3

American Red Cross helping Boy Scout Crew 105 and Pack 25 with First Aid Training

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 146 adults and 37 children following 53 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• Local Red Cross volunteers from Greater NY continue to help those left homeless by the tragic wildfires in California. Thank you to our Red Crossers including Vivian Moy (Public Affairs) and Hannah Simpson (Disability Integration) for providing support. 
• Yesterday, Metro New York North volunteers opened a Reception Center and provided emergency assistance to 15 families (30 adults, 9 children, and 5 dogs) who were displaced by a fire in Yonkers. 
• Red Cross volunteers also provided comfort and care to 9 adults, 5 children, and 1 dog displaced by a fire in Brentwood yesterday. 
• Red Cross volunteers teamed up with partner MIRA USA in Newburgh on Saturday to install free smoke alarms in 60 homes. 
• On Saturday, American Red Cross held a First Aid Merit Badge Training and Certification for Boy Scout Crew 105 and Pack 25 at the Brentwood Public Library. 
• The Red Cross Club at Deer Park High School recently held a fundraiser for hurricane relief during which they raised over $1,300! Keep up the good work Deer Park! 
• Thank you CBS New York and CBS Cares for partnering with the American Red Cross for a holiday card signing event to express gratitude and holiday wishes to our service members. 
• On Monday, we visited NYC Councilman and Red Cross Sound the Alarm partner Robert Holden to record this fire safety message! 
• Local Red Crossers including Cedric Davoren are continuing to deliver hope and help to those affected by Super Typhoon Yutu in the islands of Saipan and Tinian (Northern Mariana Islands). 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Disaster Action Team Member, Recruitment Support Member, Mass Care Team Member.  Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Dec 3, 4, 7, 9: Red Cross blood drives will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. on Dec 3rd, 4th, and 7th, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 9th at the Greater NY Red Cross building located at 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today! 
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons at their Holiday Soirée: a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets, click here! 
• Apr 15: Would you like to run the Boston Marathon for a good cause? Join the American Red Cross Runners on a Mission at the 2019 Boston Marathon. Be a part of our team and run to help deliver hope to those in their greatest time of need. Apply on our website: www.redcross.org/teamredcrossboston or email teamredcrossboston@redcross.org

Notes From the Field: the Camp Fire

by Michael de Vulpillieres, American Red Cross in Greater NY

Standing outside a shelter for wildfire evacuees on my first full day in Butte County, Calif., I met a couple from the town of Paradise who were forced to flee their home 36 hours earlier. Holding back tears, the husband detailed his traumatic escape while he showed me photos of the apocalyptic scenes he witnessed driving to safety. Despite losing his house and all his belongings, all that mattered to him was that his family was safe.

Throughout my deployment to Northern California I heard similarly harrowing stories every day. Maybe it was my Red Cross jacket but residents were very forthcoming about their ordeal. A man in line at Starbucks told me about his evacuation and how he knew to begin franticly loading up his car after hearing the fire which he said sounded like a freight train in the canyon just behind his house. A woman at a gas station, also left homeless by the fire, explained to me how her son ran nearly five miles to safety through thick black smoke after abandoning his car because traffic was at a standstill. An elderly woman I met at a shelter shared with me how she was forced to flee alone in her car, and how her terrifying drive to safety surrounded by flames took hours.

All the evacuees I met were still in shock and all but a few held out any hope that their houses were still standing. Many knew the fate of their homes because they were engulfed in flames by the time their cars reached the end of their driveways. That’s how quickly the fire moved.

A few days into my deployment, I saw firsthand the destruction that these families fled days earlier. Accompanied by officials from Cal Fire, my team visited the town of Paradise. What we witnessed was surreal and disorienting. Neighborhoods were barren, full of homes burned to their foundations, charred appliances and vehicles, melted metal and glass, pockets of smoldering ash. Occasionally we’d come across a sign of life and color, like a fully intact child’s toy.

None of the families I personally met lost loved ones to the fire, thankfully. But that is not to say that the anxiety and scope of loss was not palpable. In front of each shelter were bulletin boards containing lists, names and photos of missing individuals. There were also notes posted to these boards speaking directly to the missing: “I love you” “we miss you.” It was heartbreaking to see those boards fill up day after day.

But my time in California was also marked by moments of hope. Shining a light through the smoke and darkness was the generosity that poured in from near and far. I traveled from New York City to work with the Red Cross and met many fellow team members, mostly volunteers, from local communities, several who lost their homes, as well as from dozens of states across the country. Each day they worked tirelessly to help: providing shelter, meals, water, emotional support, health assistance, reunification and so much more.

And there were countless other individuals and organizations large and small providing just about anything you could imagine for the survivors: food, coffee, internet service, face masks, wifi, phones, clothes, music performances, services/supplies for pets, hay for rescued livestock, rides to the doctor, a room in their homes.

After I explained to an evacuee at a shelter where the meals were came from, the man looked at me, deeply humbled, and asked, “Why can’t we be this kind to each other every day?”

In Case You Missed It - Nov 26

Long Island Red Crossers handing out supplies to homeless veterans at the Freeport Armory

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 120 adults and 43 children following 52 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• Throughout the past Thanksgiving week hundreds of Red Cross volunteers, including local team members Garrison (from our reunification team) and Hannah (disability specialist), were on the ground providing shelter, food, and comfort to those affected by the California wildfires. 
• Our Communication Officer Mike de Vupillieres, who was recently stationed in Butte County, California shared a video of wildfire evacuee Klyda Flanders. Klyda, who lost her Paradise home to the blaze, shared with Mike the harrowing experience of fleeing in her car to safety and recognized all those who helped her since. 
• Yesterday, Red Cross volunteers Litt Anderson, Gary Porto, and Ruben Santiago from the Metro New York North Chapter provided emergency assistance to four families displaced by a home fire in Peekskill. 
• Several of our team members from Greater New York are helping deliver hope and help after Typhoon Yutu struck the U.S. commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. We are grateful for their service! 
• Watch a special Thanksgiving message from our Regional CEO Josh Lockwood. Thank you to all the Red Crossers who spent their holiday volunteering! 
• On Wednesday our emergency preparedness team was at Staten Island Technical High School providing life-saving training to their entire student body of over 1300 students. Thank you to Councilman Steven Matteo for his partnership and for inviting the Red Cross to his district. 
• We stand in solidarity with Cruz Roja Mexicana Sede Nacional who lost a volunteer during an aid distribution last week. Six other Red Crossers were injured in the attack. Aid workers around the globe face increasing threats to their safety. Humanitarians are not a target.
• Tuesday in Long Island Red Cross volunteers handed out supplies to homeless veterans as part of our Services to the Armed Forces program. This included hand-woven blankets that volunteers have been working on for the past year for this occasion. 
• Red Cross volunteers, in partnership with Councilman Donovan Richards, the FDNY, the FDNY Foundation and National Grid installed nearly 200 life-saving smoke alarms in the Rockaways on Monday. 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities 

• Nov 26, 27, & 30: 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!  
• Nov 27: Celebrate Giving Tuesday and donate to the American Red Cross. Your gift makes a difference. Without you, our work simply would not be possible. 
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons at their Holiday Soirée: a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets, click here! 

In Case You Missed It — Nov 19

Red Cross volunteer providing care and comfort to Bonnie who had to evacuate her home in Paradise, California

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 86 adults and 36 children following 49 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• Local NY Red Crossers are on the ground in Northern California at shelters for wildfire evacuees to manage food and supplies and provide mental and physical health services. Our Greater New York Communications Officer Mike de Vulpillieres is stationed in Butte County and shares about the devastation. Watch here to learn about a couple’s harrowing escape from the flames and the support they’ve received after the fire destroyed their home. If you or someone you know is looking for a loved one, please click here to access the Red Cross Safe and Well website.
• On Saturday, MNYN Red Crossers responded to a fire on Gold Street in Yonkers, providing emergency assistance to 10 adults and 2 children. 
• Local Red Crosser Cedric Davoren continues to provide relief efforts to those affected by Super Typhoon Yutu in Saipan and Tinian. Client services and disaster assessment are working to see as many people as possible. The Army partnered with the Red Cross to assemble Disaster Emergency kits and deliver supplies to the people of Tinian. 
• On Thursday, Red Cross held its Sunrise to Save Lives breakfast to support the Red Cross Measles Rubella Initiative. Thank you to program manager James Noe for educating and informing about this important initiative. 
• Thank you Councilman Robert Holden for inviting the American Red Cross to partner and work together to provide vital Home Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness services.
• Last Monday, Red Cross partnered with Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation to install smoke alarms and raise awareness about the importance of working smoke alarms and fire safety. 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities 

• Hiring: Response Manager (weekday 12am-8am shift), Response Manager (Wed-Fri 4pm-12am shifts with alternating 12pm-12am weekend shifts)
• Nov 19, 20, 21, & 23: 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!  
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons at their Holiday Soirée: a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets, click here!

In Case You Missed It — Nov 12

Red Crossers honoring our nation's veterans at the NYC Veteran's Day Parade (Photo: Kevin Suttlehan)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 115 adults and 18 children following 60 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• Led by Oonagh Tait channeling Clara Bartan, Red Cross volunteers dedicated their Sunday to celebrating our nation’s veterans and marched in the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade. Red Crossers also served hot beverages, water, and snacks to event attendees. Thank you to all veterans and those currently serving! Check out more photos here.
• On Saturday our Home Fire Campaign team and community partners were in Queens neighborhoods, promoting home fire safety and installing free smoke alarms to households. Join the Home Fire Campaign today! 
• Red Cross is on the ground in Saipan and Tinian, providing relief efforts to those affected by a Super Typhoon Yutu. Local Red Crossers like Cedric Davoren are delivering emergency supply kits to clients and are working with Youth Bureau Services for client service centers for the villages. 
• Thank you SOMOS New York for recognizing the work of the Red Cross and Cruz Roja’s team in helping Puerto Rico. We are honored to work with you to continue to build a more robust and resilient Puerto Rico. 
• On Friday, Regional CEO of American Red Cross in Greater New York Josh Lockwood met with Tom Morris Jur from the hit show LivePD to discuss how to grow the Red Cross mission.
• Local Red Crossers including our Communications Officer Mike de Vulpillieres deployed to Butte County, California to open shelters, assist wildfire evacuees, and provide supplies.
• The FDNY Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) recently returned to NYC after a deployment to Florida to assist those affected by Hurricane Michael. In just one week, the team was able to distribute 1,000 kits to hurricane victims to help those who lost power or were without means to cook for themselves. 
• On Wednesday, Red Cross held a Sound the Alarm Pillowcase Project at the Bayview Community Center After School Program. For the next few weeks, Red Cross has partnered with Millennium Youth Development to teach children the essentials of preparing for an emergency. 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• Nov 12, 16, & 19: 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! 
• Nov 15: American Red Cross is hosting Sunrise to Save Lives Breakfast to eliminate measles through improved vaccination coverage. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://501auctions.com/sunrisetosavelives. For questions and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dawn Neilson at dawn.neilson@redcross.org or 516-747-3500 ext. 203. 
• Nov 16: Sign up for a free 2-hour class about the Fundamental Principles that guide the work and decisions of all Red Cross Red Crescent workers. RSVP here or contact Sara Onvani at sara.onvani2@redcross.org. 
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons at their Holiday Soirée: a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets, click here! 

Volunteer Snapshot: Jeff O'Neill

Jeff O'Neil in Mexico Beach, Florida after Hurricane Michael

Jeff O’Neill remembers walking past his local Red Cross in Huntington, Long Island thousands of times before one day deciding to walk in and learn more. 16 years after that fateful decision, O’Neill has not looked back. From working in a mega shelter for victims of Hurricane Harvey to working with Health Services after a devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri, O’Neill has dedicated countless hours helping those affected by disasters across the country. Most recently, O’Neill deployed to Florida for two weeks in response to Hurricane Michael. There, he drove an Emergency Response Vehicle and teamed up with a local volunteer fire department to provide warm meals to residents impacted by this historic storm.

When asked what he’s learned from his 16 years with the Red Cross, O’Neill said:

“I have the best feeling that I’ve had in my life when I’m reaching out and helping somebody else…And the Red Cross has given me the opportunity to be on that path, to find those people that need help. Like a lot of the things the Red Cross has done for me, nothing is huge. There’s been no great flash of light; it’s just been little, little things where I can see somebody feel a little bit relieved in a crazy situation. And if I can help be a part of that, it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had.”

O'Neill after the 2011 Joplin, Missouri tornado

O'Neill and fellow volunteers in Florida responding to Hurricane Michael

Mexico Beach, Florida

Red Crossers team up with Lanark Volunteer Fire Department after Hurricane Michael

In Case You Missed It - Nov 5

Red Cross offered emergency preparedness training to students of New Dorp High School on Staten Island 

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 96 adults and 27 children following 33 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• Special thank you to all the Red Crossers who volunteered at the TCS New York City Marathon yesterday, serving as medical spotters at the finish line. And thank you to all the runners who ran to benefit the Red Cross! 
• On Sunday, our very own Craig Cooper (LI volunteer) was on the monthly Red Cross feature, ‘Weather Red Report,’ on The Weather Channel. Craig provided tips on how to prepare for a winter emergency. He also reminded viewers to check the batteries on their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 
• On Friday, we teamed up with Council Member Steven Mateo to provide emergency preparedness training to thousands of students at New Dorp High School on Staten Island. Thank you to the New Dorp HS staff for welcoming our team to help Staten Island prepare! 
• On our most recent installment for “Three Questions” we featured longtime Red Cross staff member Francisco Resto who currently serves as a disaster responder on the 10:00 P.M. to 6:30 A.M. overnight shift. 
• Congrats to Arturo Guzman who just celebrated thirty years of Red Cross volunteer service! And on Saturday, he deployed to Florida to support Hurricane Michael relief efforts! 
• On Thursday, our Sr. Director of Government and Community Relations John Waldman joined NYC Department of Buildings at their Full Scale Exercise with New York City Fire Department. 
• MNYN volunteers provided emergency assistance to ten adults displaced by a home fire in Mt Vernon on Tuesday. 
• For Halloween, the Red Cross ECC shared this spooky story of a little ghost that haunts our offices at night. 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• Nov 6, 9, & 12: 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! 
• Nov 15: American Red Cross is hosting Sunrise to Save Lives Breakfast to eliminate measles through improved vaccination coverage. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://501auctions.com/sunrisetosavelives. For questions and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dawn Neilson at dawn.neilson@redcross.org or 516-747-3500 ext. 203. 
• Nov 16: Sign up for a free 2-hour class about the Fundamental Principles that guide the work and decisions of all Red Cross Red Crescent workers. RSVP here or contact Sara Onvani at sara.onvani2@redcross.org. 
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons at their Holiday Soirée: a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets, click here!

Red Cross, Congresswoman Clarke Team up to Help Get Brooklyn Residents More Prepared

L to R: John Waldman (American Red Cross), Zellnor Myrie, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Assemblywoman Diana Richardson, Alex Poku (American Red Cross)

The American Red Cross teamed up with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke this last Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Crown Heights to provide emergency preparedness training to local residents at the Shalom Senior Center. Also supporting the event are NY State Assembly Members Jaime Williams and Diana Richardson.

“The American Red Cross urges everyone to make sure they are prepared for a disaster and not wait until an emergency occurs and it’s too late,” said Josh Lockwood, Regional CEO, American Red Cross in Greater NY. “Thank you to Congresswoman Clarke and NY State Assembly Members Williams and Richardson, for their commitment to helping keep NYers safe and prepared.”

“Far too many families don’t have emergency plans. Prior to Hurricane Sandy, many Brooklyn residents never imagined we would see a storm of that magnitude. However, emergencies come in many forms, from hurricanes, to blackouts, to home fires – and no community is exempt. Central Brooklyn neighborhoods are filled with old, historic buildings which are more susceptible to disasters due to poor ventilation and lack of emergency access points among other things. American Red Cross’ emergency preparedness training will equip families with knowledge to plan, respond, and recover from potential disasters. I encourage everyone to engage in this important conversation.”

The event is part of the Citizen Preparedness Training, a partnership between the Red Cross and New York State providing free emergency preparedness education. The presentation titled, Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes, is taught by experienced Red Cross instructors and gives a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters and how to respond to and recover from them. It also provides information on types of common disasters, ways to prepare as an individual, family and community member, what to do when disaster strikes and what actions you can take afterwards to aid in your recovery.

Established in 2014, Citizen Preparedness Corps has empowered more than 60,000 NYC residents with emergency preparedness skills and resources. The partnership with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke represents an ongoing commitment by the U.S. House of Representatives to emergency preparedness.

To learn more about the Red Cross Citizen Preparedness Training, click here.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

"Three Questions"...with Night Shift Disaster Responder Francisco Resto

“Three Questions …” is an American Red Cross in Greater New York blog series featuring staff, volunteers, and partners who help carry out our humanitarian mission. Through these short interviews, we hope to shine a light on our different programs and get to know those who make this work possible.

Francisco Resto is a longtime member of the American Red Cross disaster services team. Resto joined the organization 11 years ago as an Emergency Communications Center dispatcher and currently serves as a disaster responder. In this role he goes to the scene of fires, floods, vacates, building collapses, and other emergencies across all five boroughs where he delivers emergency humanitarian relief to affected residents. And what makes Resto’s already-unique job even more so are his work hours: 10:00 P.M. to 6:30 A.M. Along with his full-time job with the Red Cross, Resto is also a full-time student. We recently caught up with him for a quick chat to learn about what it is like taking on this important role in the middle of the night.

Often the residents you are helping are woken up by some kind of disaster. How do people react to seeing the Red Cross in the middle of the night?

I usually get comments like, “Its three in the morning, and you guys are here?!” Having someone present at all times of day is in and of itself comforting. We let people know that we’re here to help and here to guide. Our presence, often unexpected, means a lot.

A lot of people consider NYC the City that never sleeps. Do you have a different perspective on the City now that you are responding in the middle of night, a different perspective than if you were responding during the day?

The City feels so small at night. The reason why I say that is because, yes, New York is a large city; it’s very dense, but at night there are so few people on the streets so you can get anywhere in 20 minutes. Even if it’s the northern most part of the Bronx or Far Rockaway, you can get anywhere pretty fast. This means a lot when you are heading to help a family who really needs the assistance.

Is there a memory of a particular family you have helped on your night shift that has stuck with you?

It is difficult to remember one particular family since I respond to incidents on an almost nightly basis, but I do remember a night shift about ten months ago in the middle of the cold winter: a 5-alarm fire in the Bronx displacing an entire building with roughly 60 units. Most of the clients had alternative means of housing and did not need Red Cross assistance, which is a great thing, but we did end up housing roughly ten large families.

I remember arriving on scene and trying to navigate and evaluate the chaotic fire scene. There were faces in the crowd that just couldn’t believe a fire could happen to them in the cold of winter at almost 11 at night. Most of the clients we assisted were huddled inside a typical Bronx Bodega just across the street from the fire building.The cold winter air, the frozen water on the ground, and the grief of losing a home, I knew I needed to help get a better place for them to gather. After working to secure an MTA bus I approached the group, quickly announced my name, the organization I represented, and informed the clients we have a bus on the scene to keep everyone warm and safe, and we would immediately begin the process for those who need a place to stay for the night that was warm and dry. We assisted the families present with housing, financial assistance, and all the necessary mass care items needed at the time in record time, closing out the incident in roughly 2-3 hours.

In Case You Missed It – Oct 29

Volunteers installing free smoke alarms over the weekend with
Assemblywoman Pellegrino. (Photo: Lori-Ann Pizzarelli)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 70 adults and 26 children following 44 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

• On the six-year anniversary, PIX11 reported on how one Long Island community gathered to remember Superstorm Sandy and discuss a new initiative in honor of the residents and first responders of the disaster. 
• Yesterday, Red Cross volunteers supported the local community and veterans at the 2018 Suffolk Country Marathon by distributing water, coffee, supplies, and operations management to event staff and runners. 
• On Sunday Assemblywoman Christine DiBartolo Pellegrino teamed up with the Red Cross in support of fire safety, installing 59 smoke alarms in one day making the City a bit safer in the process. 
• Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke sponsored a Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Training presentation at the Brooklyn Shalom Senior Center on Sunday. 
• Red Cross volunteer Greg Davidson is preparing for the TCS New York City Marathon, which he is running in support of the American Red Cross. Check out his awesome training video!
• Clara Barton (who bears a striking resemblance to long-time volunteer Oonaugh Turrito) alongside fellow Red Crossers in Queens shared preparedness information with parents at PS 205Q on Friday. 
• Trained by the American Red Cross, Amanda Robinson of WeWork helped save a choking colleague’s life in Brooklyn. She recently received the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit for her actions.
• Special thank you to National Grid and PSEG Long Island for supporting Thursday's American Red Cross Home Fire event! We also salute the Brentwood Library who also played a role in making this event a success. 
• Thank you NYC Emergency Management First Deputy Commissioner Calvin Drayton for speaking to Red Cross staff last week about leadership and for sharing his insight on the past, present, and future of emergency management. 
• In the latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram post, Edras Hidalgo’s shared his story about how volunteering with the Red Cross is making a positive impact on his family. 

Upcoming Events

• Oct 30, Nov 2 & 5: 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! 
• Nov 15: American Red Cross is hosting their inaugural Sunrise to Save Lives Breakfast to eliminate measles around the world through improved vaccination coverage. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://501auctions.com/sunrisetosavelives. For questions and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dawn Neilson at dawn.neilson@redcross.org or 516-747-3500 ext. 203. 
• Dec 13: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons’ Holiday Soirée for a night of conversation, drinks, live music and general holiday cheer at the beautiful and historic Players Club in Gramercy Park. To purchase tickets today!