“Three Questions” with Tamar Nagel

Interviewed by Linda Ayares, 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.

Tamar Nagel is a disaster responder with the American Red Cross in Greater NY. As part of her volunteer work, she provides emergency relief after local emergencies. In the days after the tragic Bronx fire on E. 181st Street earlier this month, Tamar offered one-on-one support to affected residents at a Service Center set up by NYC. She resides in Manhattan.

When did you start volunteering?

I began the training process at the end of August [2021] but did not do my first disaster shift until the start of November. At the start, it is important to volunteer regularly to ensure that the training sticks, so I was going in about once a week. Overall, the Red Cross is an amazing place to volunteer.

Can you talk about your experience volunteering so far?

Volunteering with the Red Cross, helping people after disasters and connecting them with resources, is a humbling experience. I like going out in the field, assessing a situation, and figuring out how best to help those affected. I also enjoy the company of the other people who volunteer with me, people of all ages, many with fascinating life experiences. I hope to continue for the foreseeable future.

What kind of work did you do in the aftermath of the big Bronx fire on January 9?

I was out of town the weekend that the fire took place. I got the text message that they [Red Cross] urgently needed responders, but I went as soon as I could. I took several shifts at the [NYC] Service Center in the days after the fire, as a caseworker. It was hard but I feel that as a human being, it was the least that I could do. It’s been eye opening and again, humbling, in many ways. I was thankful that the Red Cross gave me the chance to connect directly, and help several families dealing with some really challenging circumstances. I was close to tears at times hearing some of their situations. Despite language barriers at times, simple sympathy and support needs no translation (although the City did a wonderful job providing translators to assist). It was incredible to see how many different services and agencies there were to help, and I am grateful to have been a part of it.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross on the scene of the Fox Street explosion/fire in the Bronx.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 141 adults and 39 children following 47 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below) 

Last Week in Review 

• Last Saturday, the Red Cross assisted 9 families (16 adults/10 children) displaced by an apartment fire in New Rochelle. Volunteers provided emergency funds, comfort kits and other assistance at a nearby reception center. 

• Last Tuesday, Red Cross helped families displaced by fatal explosion/fire on Fox Street in the Bronx. FOX 5 NY and News12 reported on the fire. 

• Red Cross Regional Sr. Director John Waldman, showed his appreciation and support to NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca for his help following the Fox Street explosion/fire. 

• Amid the national blood crisis, we shared the stories of regular blood donors Aubrey Mead Jr. and Kristin Miloro who regularly come out to give. Learn more about how you can donate.

• Last week, the Red Cross honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. To celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr, we asked readers to sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nurses and other health professionals are needed for a lifesaving mission. Become a Red Cross Volunteer today and join our Disaster Health Services team.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross volunteers supporting residents from the fatal fire in the Bronx. (Photo: Maria Anguiano)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance following 58 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• All last week, Red Cross volunteers continued helping Bronx residents following last Sunday’s tragedy. Our teams have since been providing relief to affected families at the NYC Service Center at Monroe College.

• With freezing temperatures throughout the week, we shared these winter safety tips to help people prepare and stay safe. 

• The Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis, the worst blood shortage in the last 10+ years.

• Last Friday, our regional CEO Mary Barneby spoke to PIX11News about the national blood crisis. 

• We also shared the story of Ann Connerty, a repeat donor, who came out to a Greenwich blood drive last December. Learn more about how you can donate.

• Also on Friday, Long Island Red Cross volunteers provided emergency assistance to 4 families after a fire on 2nd St in Mineola (Nassau County). 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• On MLK Day, celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by learning how you can sign up to be a Red Cross volunteer.
• Jan 19: Join us for a Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to support affected families from deadly fire in the Bronx.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance following more than 40 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review 

• Our hearts go out to all affected by Sunday’s tragic fire in the Bronx. Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to support affected families and this work will continue in the days and weeks to come. 

• On Saturday morning, the Red Cross assisted 3 families with emergency housing and financial assistance after a fire on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. ABC7 and News12 reported on the fire. 

• Ahead of last week’s snowstorm, we shared these winter safety tips to help people prepare. 

• On Thursday, our Greater NY Communications Officer chatted with the Washington Post about what to do if you get stranded in your car in a snowstorm. 

• Last week, we posted a new web story about Bronx resident and veteran Mike Deleon, who volunteers in multiple roles at the Red Cross. 

• Last Monday, the Red Cross rang the NYSE closing bell in celebration of National Blood Donor Month. 

Upcoming Events and Activities 

• Jan 19: Join us for a Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply. 
• 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 them take the next steps in their recovery. Sign up here.

In Case You Missed It

Regional CEO Mary Barneby interviewed by NBC NY on the work of the Red Cross.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 98 adults and 23 children for 41 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below) 

Last Week in Review 

• In Honor of Clara’s 200th birthday on December 25, Governor Kathy Hochul sent a special citation to “honor her lifetime of humanitarian work, dedication to lifesaving programs and services, and lasting impact on the American public”.
• Our local Red Cross volunteers traveled to Colorado to support residents displaced by the wildfires.
• Last Thursday, the Daily Voice reported that the Long Island Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 5 families displaced after a fire on Clent Road in Great Neck (Nassau County).
• As the year came to a close, we are shared a few of our most powerful Red Cross images from 2021.
• Regional CEO Mary Barneby was live on PIX11 and NBC NY to discuss our work over the last 12 months in Greater NY and across the country. 
• Last Monday, News12 reported that the Red Cross assisted 2 families displaced by a fire that broke out in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. 
• Last week, Patch.com posted an article about our services after a Christmas Day fire in Yonkers that displaced several families. 

Upcoming Events and Activities 

• 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 them take the next steps in their recovery. Sign up here. 

"Three Questions" with Matthew Fasciano

Interviewed by Catherine Hegeman, 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.

Matthew Fasciano has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Westchester County for five years, a role which sees him provide emergency assistance after local disasters. After watching storms devastate the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean a few years ago, Matthew felt compelled volunteer. Born and raised in New York, Fasciano works as a nonprofit COO.

What has the Red Cross brought to your life?

If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that a fire or other disaster can turn somebody’s life upside down in an instant. What we’re able to do is provide assistance, support, care and compassion in someone’s darkest hour. And it’s immediate. It’s on the spot. I really treasure just being able to play a small part in that.

The second part, it may sound funny, but there is some truth to it: I’m nobody’s boss in this role. I’m just some guy. I have a day job where I am responsible for a lot of things. Here, I just get to be a volunteer. I just get to be someone who can help. I don’t have to make big organizational decisions, and that’s a very nice juxtaposition for me.

What do you bring to the Red Cross?

I think I bring a spirit of commitment. I take all of my personal and professional experience with me, in terms of how to engage people. How to talk to people from all walks of life who. The people we help, the one thing they have in common, as I’m meeting them, is a disaster. I lean on my experience as an educator and as a social worker and having done nonprofit work in a variety of settings, I lean on all of those experiences in my support of individuals affected by disasters.

What are the next steps in your volunteer journey?

I am just going to keep doing what I’m doing. I balance a lot of other things in my life, family and work and other volunteer engagements…the older I get I have an appreciation and a fondness for balance. And I have found a balance in my life and certainly with respect to what I’m doing for the Red Cross. So I think the immediate plan is just to keep doing what I am doing.