In Case You Missed It: Mar 4

Red Cross Disaster Response Team on duty during the LIRR train derailment in Westbury. 

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 169 adults and 46 children following 54 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Early Sunday morning, CBSNY reported on a deadly fire that consumed the second floor of a Queens house. The Red Cross Disaster Response Team provided housing and financial assistance to the survivors. Outreach Teams also went door to door in the community providing fire safety tips and free smoke alarms.
•  On Saturday, ABC7 News reported on a fire in a four-story brownstone in Manhattan that injured several residents. The Red Cross assisted the displaced residents. 
• On the same day, the Red Cross on Long Island held a pet safety class with the Port Jefferson Station Girl Scouts. The troop learned rescue breathing, pet CPR, abdominal thrusts, first aid, what to pack in a pet go bag, and much more! 
• Continuing with our ongoing #MyRedCrossLife Instagram series: last week we featured Jean Bruce Forrester Cappello, a 13-year Red Cross volunteer and former Clara Barton Award recipient.
• SILive.com reported last Thursday on a deadly fire that broke out in a Staten Island house. Red Cross disaster responders provided emergency housing and financial assistance. 
• On the same day, our CEO Josh Lockwood LI Red Cross volunteer Tom Hlenski took part in panel to discuss disaster preparedness and our response mass shootings. 
• On Tuesday evening after a LIRR train struck a vehicle and derailed in Westbury, the Red Cross on Long Island responded to the scene quickly. Over the next several hours and days, our team provided 1,000+ meals & snacks to emergency workers and affected passengers. 
• The Long Island Press recognized our Long Island Chapter CEO Neela Lockel in their 16th annual Power List. Locke was recognized for her dedication in making Long Island a better place to live. 
• Throughout the week, the American Red Cross in Greater New York met with local elected officials to record public service announcements for their constituents as part of our Home Fire Campaign. Thank you to Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and New York Senator Leroy Comrie for your partnerships to #EndHomeFires. 
• Last week, we posted this video highlighting our partnership with CDCLI to install hundreds more smoke alarms in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. 

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. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• March 5, 8, 9, 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!
• March 10: Calling all Slayers! Fox Consumer Products and American Red Cross team up or #BuffySlayDay. Grab your Scooby Gang and make an appointment to give blood at @redcrossny, 520 West 49th Street, and get exclusive Buffy product while supplies last! 
• March 16: Learn about the mission and vision of the American Red Cross and the many volunteer opportunities that are available for you on Long Island. Join us in our Mineola office from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to learn more!
• By March 17th: What would you do #FortheThrone? Show your @GameofThrones pride and sign up to donate blood with us by 3/17 and you’ll automatically be entered to win a trip to the season 8 world premiere.