In Case You Missed It

The Red Cross of Greater New York's disaster preparedness PSA in case of a Sharknado.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 85 adults and 36 children for 49 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below.) 

Last Week in Review

• Last Wednesday, we livestreamed a presentation on how to prepare, respond and recover from local emergencies and large-scale disasters in your community. The event was co-hosted by NY State Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages.

• CBS reported that the American Red Cross was at the scene of a July 20 building collapse in Brooklyn, providing impacted families with emergency relocation services. 

• Our Long Island chapter was featured in Long Island Weekly for its hurricane preparedness work. 

• Greenwhich Time highlighted Red Cross efforts to increase blood donations and host blood drives across the region.

• We interviewed Red Cross volunteer and retired nurse Neale Sanchez for our blog. He discussed how surviving a car accident, which left him hospitalized for seven months, motivated him to help others through nursing. Check out the full story here.

• AARP spoke to one of our American Red Cross in Greater NY colleagues about how to prepare your family and stay safe during a power outage. 

• We celebrated Shark Week with this throwback to our Sharknado-themed disaster readiness PSA. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• July 26, 27: We’re livestreaming back-to-back online hands-only CPR training dates co-hosted by NY State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and NY State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Meinick.

• August 2, 3, 10: We’re co-hosting a series of online disaster preparedness seminars with Greenwich Selectwoman Lauren Rabin on the 2nd, NY State Assemblyman Chris Burdick on the 3rd, and Assemblyman Mike Lawier on the 10th.

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Preparedness Team members, Disaster Action team members and Disaster Workforce Engagement members. Apply today at  redcross.org/volunteertoday! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org. 

• The American Red Cross has issued a call for blood. We are experiencing nationwide blood shortages and are in dire need of donors to help us save lives. Find a blood drive near you today.

"Three Questions" with Neale Sanchez

"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.

by Xavia Malcolm, American Red Cross in Greater NY

American Red Cross Health Services volunteer Neale Sanchez takes great pride in helping others. This is one of the reasons he decided to become a nurse. Today, although he is semi-retired, Neale continues to utilize his experience in healthcare to provide support and assistance to individuals affected by disasters. Neale is known by many for his ability to adapt in stressful situations, roll up his sleeves and serve in multiple roles.

Why did you pursue a career in nursing?

I survived a life-changing car accident. Having been hospitalized for almost seven months and undergoing eight surgeries, I know what it is like to be on the receiving end of the kindness of nurses. This was an inspiration. I actually wish I became a nurse sooner in life.

When did you join the Red Cross, and how has becoming a volunteer impacted your life?

I joined the Red Cross the summer of 2019 . So far, I have done many DHS [Disaster Health Services] local responses for fire, several virtual responses for DAT [Disaster Action Team] and Disability Integration. Before the peak of the COVID pandemic I deployed to Tennessee in response to the tornadoes that wreaked havoc in the lives of many people. I was there for three weeks, and it was the most amazing experience I have ever had. I was a little nervous at first but when I met my supervisor who trained me in multiple positions, I became more confident. What has been the most impactful is being able to work with families and providing resources to help them during disasters. There are always moments that stick with you. I remember during a response bringing a CAC card [Red Cross financial assistance on a debit card] to a woman who was really in need; she was so appreciative that she started crying the moment we arrived. Her gratitude just really solidified my commitment to the Red Cross.

The pandemic has changed the lives of many, and presented many challenges, what has it been like for you?

It has been very challenging for multiple reasons. It’s been difficult not being able to deploy. However, I‘ve had the opportunity to work with the national Red Cross and help manage agency nurses. I also got to meet Red Crossers virtually from almost every state, and I have met many DHS leaders. Virtual responses sometimes can be heartbreaking because you can’t physically comfort clients but I am able to assist them immediately with RC Care [Red Cross tracking and assistance software]. This has proven to be very efficient. I know how difficult this has all been, especially when faced with a disaster. But if there was something that I could tell clients is that they are in the arms of the Red Cross. We are here to help them with all their disaster-related needs, and we will do all that we can to get them back on the road to recovery.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross volunteer Erica McKenna and her daughter supporting the need for blood drives.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 73 adults and 22 children for 27 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below.)

Last Week in Review 

• The Red Cross provided financial assistance, emergency housing and comfort items to three families following a fire in Queens on Sunday.

• Newsday honored the 25th anniversary of downed TWA Flight 800 on July 17. The coverage featured Greater NY Red Cross volunteer Edward Hardy. 

• On July 15, we live streamed a disaster preparedness seminar with New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick.

• We congratulated our volunteers who are now ready to be deployed as drivers, having passed their training and received their certifications to operate our new Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs). 

• We concluded our summer safety video series with Lipica Shah with this video on swimming pool and water safety tips.

• We featured the story of Erica McKenna, a Red Cross volunteer passionate about blood drives and donations, whose infant daughter underwent 8 blood transfusions.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• July 21: New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solanges is teaming up with our Long Island chapter for a virtual disaster preparedness seminar. 

• July 21: We’ll be holding an online volunteer informational session. Come by to learn more about what it means to be a part of the Red Cross.

• July 26, 27: We’re livestreaming back-to-back online hands-only CPR training dates co-hosted by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Senator Elijah Reichlin-Meinick.

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Preparedness Team members, Disaster Action team members and Disaster Workforce Engagement members. Apply today at  redcross.org/volunteertoday! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org. 

• The American Red Cross has issued a call for blood. We are experiencing nationwide blood shortages and are in dire need of donors to help us save lives. Find a blood drive near you today.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross of Greater New York volunteers at a ticker tape parade for #HometownHeroes.
(Photo: Vivian Moy)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 148 adults and 57 children for 43 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below.) 

Last Week In Review

• Members of the Red Cross were among the thousands of essential workers celebrated on July 7 with a ticker tape parade in Manhattan. We marched alongside nurses, teachers, bus drivers and other frontline workers who kept the city running during the pandemic. Vivian Moy, a Red Cross volunteer and parade honoree, was featured by OMNY for her service. 

• A truck transporting 12,000 gallons of gasoline overturned on the Nassau Expressway on Wednesday, causing shutdowns in both directions. The Long Island Red Cross was at the scene of the spill supporting First Responders.

• On Thursday, our communications team spoke with News 12 to help viewers prepare for Hurricane Elsa. We also spoke to Everyday Health about emergency preparedness and Red Cross apps, available now on both the App Store and Google Play.

• After Hurricane Elsa passed over New York late in the week, the Red Cross was out in the field to help local families. This included assistance to six Manhattan families as well as four Suffolk families in need of temporary housing following fires.

• We also hosted a virtual disaster preparedness seminar with New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis.
  
  

Upcoming Events and Activities 

• July 15: Join us for a virtual Pillowcase Project event, which focuses on emergency preparedness for children, with New York State Representative Jessica Gonazalez-Rojas. 

• July 27: We’re co-hosting an online hands-only CPR training with New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Meinick. 

• We’re partnering with AmeriCorps — come work with us today. By joining our team, you’ll help build up our roster of volunteers and further our life-saving work. 
• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Preparedness Team members, Disaster Action team members and Disaster Workforce Engagement members. Apply today at  redcross.org/volunteertoday! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org. 
• The American Red Cross has issued a call for blood. We are experiencing nationwide blood shortages and are in dire need of donors to help us save lives. Find a blood drive near you today.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross volunteer Lipica Shah sets up the shot for her TODAY Show segment. 

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 61 adults and 24 children following 45 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below.) 

Last Week In Review 

• The American Red Cross in Greater New York held a virtual disaster preparedness seminar Monday with NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

• That same day, we helped four families following a fire on Woodbine Street in Queens.

• As the Daily Voice reported last week, the Long Island Red Cross provided assistance to evacuated residents after a car crashed into a utility pole, causing a gas leak and power outage in Bethpage. 

• In the newest installment of our “Three Questions” blog series, retired nurse and active Red Cross Health Services volunteer, Sally Nielsen reflects on nursing, her service through the Red Cross and the pandemic.

• On July 1st, our volunteer (and CPR expert) Lipica Shah joined Hoda and Jenna on the TODAY Show for a live CPR demonstration. We also shot a behind-the-scenes look at the segment which you can find on our social media platforms.

• Greater New York Red Cross spiritual care volunteer Meara Lebovitz traveled to Surfside, Florida this week to support families following the recent tragedy there.

• We marked the end of LGBTQ Pride month with a look back at our participation in the 2019 New York Pride Parade. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• July 8: American Red Cross in Greater NY CEO Mary Barneby is teaming up with Assemblyman Michael Tannousis to present a virtual disaster preparedness seminar.

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Preparedness Team members, Disaster Action team members and Disaster Workforce Engagement members. Apply today at  redcross.org/volunteertoday! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.