In Case You Missed It - Feb 4

NBC News Medical Correspondent John Torres donating blood at our headquarters.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 237 adults and 98 children following 66 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Early Sunday morning, Red Cross volunteers provided temporary housing to dozens of families displaced by a 3-alarm fire in the Bronx.
• On Saturday, our regional headquarters hosted a Shelter Operation Simulation. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who participated!
• Continuing with our ongoing #MyRedCrossLife Instagram series: last week we featured Red Cross volunteer Lenia Kiki who has been a volunteer since 2017.
• Throughout the week, elected officials including City Council Members Mark Gjonaj and New York State Senator Anna Kaplan voiced their support for our Sound the Alarm campaign.
• During the Polar Vortex, we provided useful tips on how to keep you and your pets safe and warm!
• On Thursday our CEO Josh Lockwood talked with WPIX about a recent spike in home fires.
• Tuesday’s edition of the Queens Chronicle reported on a fire safety forum that we took part in co-hosted by New York City Council Members Adrienne Adams and Daneek Miller.
• Wednesday night, Red Cross volunteers offered temporary housing and assistance to 20 Corona residents left homeless by a 3-alarm fire.
• Monday night, Red Cross volunteers assisted 16 residents after an apartment fire in Mount Vernon.
• Earlier that morning NBC News Medical Correspondent John Torres donated blood at our headquarters and went live on Facebook. During that time, he chatted about the nationwide blood shortage with Red Cross Executive Medical Officer Kathleen Grima.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Home Fire Campaign Team Member, Disaster Action Team Member, Recruitment Support Member, Recovery Caseworker, Mass Care Team Member. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org. Feb 5, 8, 10, 11: 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! 
• Feb 9, 10: The American Red Cross is heading to #Long Island on Feb 9 and Brooklyn on Feb 10 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/LI or soundthealarm.org/NYC. 
• Feb 18: We are holding a 2-hour class on the history of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (10 a.m. to noon).The course will take a close look at these humanitarian principles as well as the history of the movement this past century. 
• Feb 19: Learn about the mission and vision of the American Red Cross and the many volunteer opportunities that are available for you in Westchester County and beyond. Join us in our Hawthrone, NY office from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to learn more! 
• Feb 28: The Studley School of International Affairs is hosting a conversation entitled, Becoming Humanitarian: The Making of an ICRC Delegate (6 to 8 pm.). The discussion will feature former ICRC delegate and current fellow at the New School for Social Research, Monique J. Beerli.