“Three Questions” with Mary Cueva

By Kenna Beban, American Red Cross in Greater NY

"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.

Photo Credit: John Eng

Mary Cueva has been an American Red Cross team member since February 2020 when she decided to use her customer service experience to serve as a volunteer screener. In this role, she interviews prospective volunteers to find Red Cross positions for them that match their interests and skills. Up until September of 2021, most of her work was done remotely; but after Hurricane Ida, she accompanied Red Cross teams distributing cleanup supplies in NYC communities affected by the devastating flooding. Originally from Honduras, Cuevas moved to New York City 2002.

When in your life were you first introduced to the Red Cross?

In Honduras, we have a lot of hurricanes. The one that really left its mark, in my experience, was Hurricane Mitch in 1998. And we had the Honduran Red Cross helping there and I was exposed to their help. As a kid I remember watching how they were cleaning up, and how they had the Red Cross flag. They also brought me food. It was just great.

How did it feel doing fieldwork for the first time, after Ida?

It made it feel real. I saw a lot of houses destroyed, they [the residents] always wanted to tell you what happened to them, how the basement was just gone, how everything got destroyed. It also made it feel like every little bit of work we do as volunteers helps. Because even handing out a cleaning kit meant a lot.

A lot [of the people we helped] were relieved, they said, ‘oh my god, thank you for coming!’ The Red Cross is a worldwide organization. Everybody knows that symbol. So, when people see that, they know that someone is coming to help. It was amazing to see people understand that we are trying to assist them. Help is all we want to give.

There were these two girls I met who couldn’t live in their home anymore. As soon as they opened their door to their basement [apartment], the smell inside brought me back to my home in Honduras, when I had to live through Hurricane Mitch. I was like, oh, my heart! Nothing like the sense of smell to bring the memories back to you. But it’s great to now understand that I am part of the help. Even though I struggle myself, there are people that are in a worse position. Might as well help, right?

Can you talk about the diversity of the Red Cross here, specifically as it relates to language skills?

It’s very important to have people who speak different languages in our volunteer roles. When distributing supplies after Ida, one of my favorite things that we did was when we parked the ERV [Emergency Response Vehicle] announced our services [over the loudspeaker] in four languages. The driver made the announcement in English and Mandarin, I said it in Spanish. And there was someone who said it in Hindi..The ability to speak four languages in that van made a lot more people come out, because now you’re relating to people in their own languages.

This is very important. Especially for immigrant families, who may be afraid to ask for help. So, when they hear the announcement in their own language, they feel more comfortable relating. It’s just great to have that connection. Even though you don't know them, it makes them not be afraid to ask for help, to share with you their experience, and to tell you other things that they need.

In Case You Missed It

Long Island Home Fire teams helping to #EndHomeFires.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 81 adults and 20 children following 33 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last weekend, our Long Island Home Fire teams installed free smoke alarms from West Hempstead, Baldwin and Port Washington, to Bayshore, Riverhead and Mattituck! Sign up for your own free smoke alarm here: www.redcross/lifiresafety
• For the last two years our Restoring Family Link (RFL) program, Red Cross volunteer Ogochukwu Ononiwu has been helping reconnect family members separated by natural disaster, conflict, or migration.
• Last Tuesday, we had a ball kicking off the Metro NY North Red & White Ball! Save the date of April 23, 2022 for an evening of inspiration and celebration to support our mission.
• Hurricane Maria was very personal for Winnie Romeril, Julio Gaby Acevedo and Nelson Lopez. They recently shared their stories about the storm’s afftermath for our latest podcast episode.
• Bruno Costais, Ray Wark and Erin Phillips are running this year’s TCS NYC Marathon to benefit the Red Cross. Learn more about why they are running and support their efforts through their fundraising pages. If you’d like to join Team Red Cross, click here.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nov 12: Join the American Red Cross for a new International Humanitarian Law & pop culture event! From the birth of Iron Man toCaptain America to the Tesseract, the American Red Cross IHL Team will transport you into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to explore some of the biggest IHL issues in Phase One of the Infinity Saga!
• Are you ready to turn your compassion into action? As a Disaster Casework volunteer, you will connect directly with people affected by disasters big and small to help take the next steps in their recovery journey. Sign up here.

In Case You Missed It

Listen to our latest podcast episode on Hurricane Maria.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 85 adults and 32 children following 30 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• To celebrate the end of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we debuted a special podcast episode that takes an in-depth look at the response and recovery following Hurricane Maria. The devastating storm made landfall on Puerto Rico more than four years ago. To learn more about the episode and our third season click here.
• Over the weekend, Allied Esports, Tiltify and the American Red Cross teamed up for the finale for the Rescue Royale Fallguys Tournament fundraiser. Congrats and thanks to all the competitive streamers who raised money for the Red Cross!
• On Saturday, Red Cross volunteers were out across Long Island teaching fire safety and installing free smoke alarms for residents like 92-year-old veteran Frank Silechia from Bayport.
• We continued to feature those who responded to 9/11, like Max Green, for our 20th Anniversary MyRedCrossLife Instagram series.
• The Greater NY Red Cross Logistics teams replenished supplies used after Hurricane Henri and Ida.
• The American Red Cross in Greater New York welcomed seven new members to our regional Boards of Directors.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Oct 19: Prepare with Pedro is a 30- to 45-minute virtual presentation during which students learn about how to stay safe during an emergency. The October 19th virtual event will be co-hosted by NY State Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas.
• Oct 20: Join our Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply today.
• Oct 21: Join us for a virtual preparedness presentation, Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes, co-hosted by Congressman Ritchie Torres.
• Oct 26: Join us for a virtual Hands-Only CPR presentation co-hosted by Rep. Harry Arora.
• Are you ready to turn your compassion into action? As a Disaster Casework volunteer, you will connect directly with people affected by disasters big and small to help take the next steps in their recovery journey. Sign up here.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross ERV sighting at Brentwood Library Touch-a-Truck Event.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 100 adults and 30 children following 32 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• For World Mental Health Day, listen to our podcast episodes about the emotional toll of COVID-19 and disaster mental health.
• Over the weekend, the Long Island Red Cross brought out our Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) to the Brentwood Library Touch-a-Truck event.
• Last Friday for National Fire Prevention Week, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran teamed up with the Long Island Red Cross to discuss free smoke alarms available on Long Island.
• Other elected officials like Congressman Espaillat, Senator Thomas and Senator Savino also encouraged their constituents to get free smoke alarms installed.
• Last Thursday, we held a special preparedness presentation: Hands-Only CPR + Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes co-hosted by NY State Assembly Member Amanda Septimo.
• We also held a Be Red Cross Ready preparedness presentation with Greenwich Selectman Jill Oberlander and other community partners.
• We continued to feature to people who responded to 9/11 like Sidney Ko for our 20th Anniversary MyRedCrossLife Instagram series.
• Last Monday, CBS New York reported the Red Cross assisted a family with emergency housing after a SUV crashed into their Woodside home.
• Two weeks ago, Red Crossers supported the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Memorial Service held for the 10 firefighters who lost their lives in the past year.
  
  

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Oct 19: Preparing with Pedro is a 30- to 45-minute virtual presentation during which students learn about how to stay safe during a locally relevant hazard co-hosted by NY State Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas.
• Oct 20: Join our Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply today.
• Oct 21: Join us for a virtual preparedness presentation Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes co-hosted by Congressman Ritchie Torres.
• Are you ready to turn your compassion into action? As a Disaster Casework volunteer, you will connect directly with people affected by disasters big and small to help take the next steps in their recovery journey. Sign up here.

In Case You Missed It

Senator Alexis Weik honored members of the Hispanic community in the
3rd Senate District including Long Island Red Cross volunteer Celia Vollmer.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 100 adults and 39 children for 33 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• This past weekend marked the 2-year anniversary of the Greater New York Red Cross Podcast! If you haven’t already checked it out, we invite you to listen and subscribe.
• Senator Alexis Weik recently honored members of the Hispanic community in the 3rd Senate District who have made tremendous impacts, including our own Long Island Red Cross volunteer, Celia Vollmer!
• In our latest blog post, we wrote about how Linda and Brian McMullan canvassed neighborhoods, assessed damages, spoke to residents and connected them to assistance in the days after Hurricane Ida.
• To close out National Preparedness Month, Kelsey and the Preparedness Team helped keep us informed by sharing their top 5 resources for emergencies and disasters and Berklea explained hands-only CPR.
• For the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, we continued to publish profiles of Red Crossers who responded at the time like Andrea Grimaldi-Grafer and former Greenwich Chapter Board Chair Pamela Farr.
• Bruno Costais, Ray Wark and Erin Phillips are running this year’s TCS NYC Marathon to benefit the Red Cross. Learn more about why they are running and support their efforts through their fundraising pages. If you’d like to join Team Red Cross, click here.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Oct 5: Join us for a virtual preparedness presentation—Be Red Cross Ready: Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed.—in partnership with Selectwoman Jill Oberlander.
• Oct 7: Join us for a special preparedness presentation: Hands-Only CPR + Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes co-hosted by NY State Assembly Member Amanda Septimo.
• Are you ready to turn your compassion into action? As a Disaster Casework volunteer, you will connect directly with people affected by disasters big and small to help take the next steps in their recovery journey. Sign up here.

Surveying Ida: on the Street with a Disaster Assessment Team

By Barbara Gaynes, American Red Cross in Greater NY

Matthew Bush stood outside his flood-damaged basement apartment in Mamaroneck, N.Y., surrounded by the few possessions he and his 9-year-old son had managed to salvage. A waterlogged photo album was drying in the sun along with a baseball glove, a metal file cabinet and a soggy baseball-card collection.

“It was wild,” Bush told Red Cross Disaster Assessment volunteer Brian McMullan, describing the night Hurricane Ida struck. “My son jumped out of bed at like 9:30 and said, ‘Dad, there’s water in the house!’”

The Bushes quickly escaped to the home of a neighbor, helpless to stop the 6 feet of water that rushed into their apartment, destroying or displacing most of the belongings collected during the three-plus years they had lived there.

“My son had about 20 fish,” Bush said. “We found one of them in the bedroom. Don’t know where the other 19 are. He was pretty shook by that.”

A decorative candle that had been displayed on a wooden board was found seven houses down the street. But Bush was most heartbroken to see the ashes of his deceased father “floating in the water” after spilling from an urn.

McMullan, a longtime Red Cross volunteer who has assisted victims of several hurricanes, listened sympathetically to Bush and took photos of his home for the damage report he would file. After Bush said that he’d slept in his mother’s car the previous night, McMullan advised him to go to the nearby Service Center for assistance from the Red Cross and other agencies.

For McMullan and his wife Linda, also a volunteer, stories like Bush’s are sadly all too familiar. During nearly two decades of service, the Suffern, N.Y., couple have teamed up to help people in the aftermath of fires, hurricanes (including Houston’s Harvey) and other disasters. The most memorable parts are often the appreciation of the victims.

Speaking of their work during some large disasters, delivering food to affected communities, Linda recalls, “When you do a route for a few days, you end up getting pictures created by the kids: ‘Thank you, Red Cross.’ One woman (in Houston) was so distraught, and she wanted us to pray with her. She gave us a little prayer: ‘Thank God for the Red Cross. Thank God for the people who are helping us.’ Those moments are really touching.”

On this day in Mamaroneck, more than a week post-Ida, the streets were still littered with storm-related debris including a destroyed oil tank, a shattered front door and a mangled drum set. One woman showed Linda three cars in her driveway that had been damaged by floodwater that rose midway up the vehicles’ windows.

This was the fifth straight day the McMullans had spent on the streets of Mamaroneck, Port Chester, N.Y., and Greenwich, Conn., surveying damaged homes and handing out cleanup kits. Yet they showed no signs of fatigue and stopped to spend a few minutes with every resident who approached them.

“People need to tell their stories,” Brian explained.

At the Bush apartment, Brian classified the damage as “Major” and sent a report in through an app on his phone. It was the first step toward getting financial assistance for Bush and his son — which they soon received— and the harried father was grateful.

“I’m exhausted,” Bush said. “I feel like I went to alien land for a week and am now getting back to civilization. I’m so thankful I saw you guys.”