In Case You Missed It - Dec 16

2019 Year in Review (Photo: Lisa Weatherbee)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 136 adults and 44 children following 56 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Here’s a look back at a very busy 2019: Red Cross employees and volunteers delivered urgent relief to places far and near (don’t forget to look at the amazing photographs).
• Saturday night, the Red Cross assisted two families following a high-rise fire in Brownsville, Brooklyn as was reported by News 12.
• The ugly sweaters were out in full force last Wednesday night at the Long Island Young Patrons Holiday Soiree. Guests shared holiday cheer with one another and signed cards that will be shared with veterans on Long Island and military members on deployment.
• On Thursday, we held our holiday All-Hands Meeting for Greater New York.
• Last week, we met with New York State Senator Leroy Comrie to update him on Red Cross service delivery to his district and presented his office with a display of emergency preparedness materials for his constituents. 
• Last Monday morning, a fire in Bohemia, Suffolk County displaced families of 12 apartments. The Red Cross provided emergency housing, financial assistance and referrals to those displaced.
• Last week, Lohud.com posted an incredible article about a family from Lake Caramel who lost their home to fire on Dec 3 and how smoke alarms saved their lives. They were so grateful, that less than a week after the fire, the father was going door-to-door distributing door hanger placards promoting the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign that installs free smoke alarms in the community for free.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Community Relations Ambassador, Volunteer Recovery Caseworker, Emergency Communications Center, Volunteer Screener Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Apr 25: Save the date for the Metro New York North Red and White Ball! 

In Case You Missed It - Dec 9

Long-time GNY Volunteer Georgine Gorra recognized by the IFRC for her service.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 102 adults and 37 children following 51 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Many thanks to our Long Island Disaster Action Team volunteers who responded to a fire in Great Neck, Nassau County on Sunday to deliver emergency assistance to 2 displaced families.
• Last week, we uploaded a video update and blog post on how the Red Cross continued to support displaced residents from the Queens sewage backup and distributed clean-up kits to their homes.
• On Friday, we met with Chairman of the NYS Assembly Committee on Housing, Steven Cymbrowitz to give an update on our service delivery and shared our plan to partner with his office to offer Red Cross services to his constituents.
• On the same day, Westchester County honored the achievements of 76 outstanding senior citizens at the 37th Annual Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon including our own amazing volunteers Rick and Nancy Stein.
• On Thursday, for International Volunteer Day, our very own Georgine Gorra was one of a few Red Cross volunteers from around the world recognized by the IFRC for their outstanding service. We could not be prouder.
• Listen to our latest podcast episode of "Humanitarians of NY" to learn what makes Conrad Meyer such a model for those who want to make a difference in the world.
• The Red Cross on Long Island hosted its 2nd Annual Sunrise to Save Lives Breakfast on Tuesday to support the Measles & Rubella Initiative.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Community Relations Ambassador, Volunteer Recovery Caseworker, Emergency Communications Center, Volunteer Screener
• Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Dec 11: Please join the American Red Cross Young Patron for a Holiday Soiree to support our Service to the Armed Forces on December 11, 2019.
• Apr 25: Save the date for the Metro New York North Red and White Ball!

Red Cross Continues to Support Queens Families After Sewage Emergency

One of the 100+ homes affected by a major sewage backup in Queens.

Since a major sanitation emergency in South Ozone, Queens forced hundreds of residents from their homes Saturday afternoon — two days after Thanksgiving — the American Red Cross has been working around the clock to support distraught and displaced residents coping with feet of raw sewage in their homes.

The day of the initial sewage backup, Red Cross disaster relief teams arrived at the scene and coordinated with NYC Emergency Management to open a Reception Center for impacted families at a neighborhood school. After staying open at the school on Sunday, the Center transitioned to the nearby hotel — Courtyard by Marriott, 145-11 N. Conduit Ave. — where it will remain open for families throughout the week.

At the school and at the hotel, the Red Cross has provided meals, water, and has met one-on-one with affected residents to determine housing needs and provide emergency financial assistance. Also on hand to help are Red Cross health and mental health volunteers and nurses to address individual emotional and health concerns.

Interim Greater NY Red Cross CEO, Susan Rounds speaks to
volunteer Georgine Gorra at a Service Center in Queens 

As of Wednesday morning, the Red Cross has registered 80 families for assistance, of whom approximately 30 families needed emergency housing, which has been provided in area hotels.

Today the Red Cross is going door to door to deliver “clean up kits” — which is a bucket that includes disinfectant and cleaning supplies. As of 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, Red Cross volunteers distributed 120 kits to area homes.

Among the multiple City agencies working at the Reception Center alongside the Red Cross to support these Queens families has been NYC Emergency Management, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Health, NYC Comptroller’s Office, FDNY, and the Office of the Mayor. 

Red Cross volunteer prepare to distribute cleanup kits. 

In Case You Missed It - Dec 2

Red Cross Reception Center opened at P.S. 223 following major sewer backup in Queens
(now moved to Courtyard Marriott).

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 112 adults and 39 children following 32 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Following a major water condition/sewage backup in Queens on Saturday, the Red Cross opened a reception center for affected residents and continues to support dozens of residents with emergency housing.
• Also on Saturday, Red Cross Volunteers marched in the Huntington Holiday Lights & Sounds Parade on a float designed and built by volunteers!
• Did you know that there is a special memorial to Red Cross volunteers in Central Park? We blogged about it last week.
• Early last week, Senator Jim Gaughran invited the Red Cross to partner and offer our Sound the Alarm, Home Fire Safety campaign to his constituents. Together we can #EndHomeFire tragedies.
• We were proud to recognize IBM, a Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program partner, for their generous support of our humanitarian services.
• Our dedicated Service to the Armed Forces volunteers, Bob and Peter, represented the Red Cross during the Nassau County Veterans Winter Stand Down, where dozens of agencies came together to support our veterans and service members.
• Our team member Raul Rivera recently got back from the Bahamas where #HurricaneDorian devastated large parts of the country and was kind enough to answer 3 questions on our blog.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Recovery Caseworker, Engagement Volunteer, Disaster Spiritual Care, Emergency Management Agency Team. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Dec 3: Sunrise to Save Lives Breakfast and Panel Discussion: Help the American Red Cross Long Island Chapter vaccinate 20,000 children on December 3, 2019
• Dec 3: This Giving Tuesday, the American Red Cross asks everyone to give something that means something by donating to the Red Cross. Your support provides comfort and hope!
• Dec 3: Come join our Virtual Volunteer Orientation via Webex to learn about how you can get involved with one of our many volunteer opportunities at the American Red Cross!
• Dec 11: Please join the American Red Cross Young Patron for a Holiday Soiree to support our Service to the Armed Forces on December 11, 2019.