In Case You Missed It

Red Cross teams assisting in Ukraine.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 135 adults and 68 children following 52 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below) 

Last Week in Review

• As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Red Cross teams are doing what they can to help people in need. Here's a look at the ongoing international response.

• On Saturday, the Red Cross assisted 4 families following a fire in White Plains, providing comfort supplies and financial assistance for emergency housing and personal items. 

• In our latest “Three Questions” blog post, volunteer Matt McLeod talks about his experience providing assistance after last month’s tragedy in the Bronx. 

• Last Wednesday, Greater NY Red Cross External Relations Officer Desiree Ramos Reiner was featured on BronxnetTV discussing fire safety (en Espanol).

• Last Tuesday, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson thanked the Red Cross for assisting te 5 families displaced by a 4-alarm fire in Parkchester. The Bronx Times and News12 reported on the fire. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• March 1: March is Red Cross Month! Volunteers can sign up for upcoming Red Cross Month events here.
• March 1-3: Tune into the 2022 Co Sheltering Animal Conference to hear from a lineup of keynote speakers & panelists such as former HUD Secretary Julián Castro and our own Bronx Disaster Program Manager Roxana Petzold 

• March 15: Join us for a Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply. 

• March 23: The 2022 Heroes Among Us Gala will recognize civic leaders and heroic individuals like travel nurse DaKoyoia D. Billie and New York City Department of Sanitation employees Robert Febles and George Lesiainem who embody our humanitarian mission. 

• RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS: Amid all the other strains on healthcare providers, a Red Cross blood shortage is forcing doctors to make tough decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who must wait until more blood is available. You can help! Find a Red Cross blood drive near you by visiting rcblood.org/donate. For blood drives in NYC and Long Island, visit aabb.org.

"Three Questions" with Mitchell Ostrover

Mitchell deployed with the Red Cross to Kentuckylast December after devastating tornadoes.

Interviewed by Xavia Malcolm, 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.

Mitchell Ostrover, a resident of Glen Cove in Nassau County, is a longtime Red Cross volunteer who supports the organization after local disasters as a member of our Disaster Action team and following large-scale emergencies outside our region in multiple capacities. He joined the Red Cross after a long career, first in textiles and then insurance. His path to our organization began after 9/11.

September 11, 2001 has had a lasting effect on us all. Can you tell us how this day became a part of your journey to the Red Cross?

September 11, 2001 was a day I will never forget. Although the attacks occurred years ago, I remember how I felt as if it happened yesterday. I was in complete shock. However, this feeling did not last long because I immediately decided that I did not want to sit on the sidelines. I wanted to play an active role, no matter how small, in helping my country to recover. I called the mayor of my village to find out how I could help police officers and other first responders with their recovery efforts. This led to training that I received in supporting first responders and others impacted by disasters, training that I thought would be helpful in becoming a volunteer with the American Red Cross. I made the decision to join seven or eight years ago and put my skills to good use. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Since joining the Red Cross you have deployed to several large-scale disasters, including most recently, Kentucky. Can you tell us what that was like?

I was watching the news and there was so much devastation caused by the tornados that I felt compelled to help. I made a few calls to find out how I could do so and shortly after I was on a plane. Once we arrived, there was a two-hour drive from the airport to our headquarters in Kentucky. As we began to get closer, I could see nothing but damage everywhere. Homes and towns were torn apart. Building after building was in pieces. Many of my fellow Red Crossers agreed that it was one of the worst disasters they had ever seen. This motivated us to get to work right away. Furthermore, it was the holiday season so we wanted our clients to feel supported in any way that we could. Many could not believe that we flew all the way from New York to help them, and our efforts were greatly appreciated. It is common in Southern hospitality to show love and appreciation through food. We were certainly very well fed. Local restaurants and families prepared meals for Red Cross volunteers for our entire stay, despite their losses.

What are some of your most memorable experiences volunteering for the Red Cross?

One of the great things about the Red Cross is that there is something for everyone to do. So many opportunities and experiences are offered to you. Most recently [in Kentucky], I worked in staff relations and helped others to navigate deployment.

Another thing that makes for a memorable experience is where you stay when you are deployed. One of my favorite places so far has been in a tent. I am a tent person.

Although my locations and roles have changed with each deployment, one thing has remained the same, and that is the people who I serve. Our clients are always so grateful that we are there to help. In the past, before the pandemic, there was never a lack of hugs. Today, there is not so much hugging, but joy and appreciation is expressed in different ways. I remember once our team went to a store to purchase a few items, and everyone allowed us to go the front of the line. It was their way of saying thank you.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross assisting residents after tragic fire in Pelham, NY.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 322 adults and 144 children following 71 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, the Red Cross Metro NY Norh team responded to a tragic fire in Pelham. Volunteers assisted six families, 9 adults/5 children, providing comfort supplies and financial aid for emergency housing and personal items. News12 and Daily Voice (among others) reported on the fire. 

• Our Home Fire Safety volunteers were featured on FOX 5 last Friday going door to door in the Bronx installing free smoke alarms and educating families about fire safety.

• Last Friday, we posted our final episode of our third podcast season. In this last installment, about the 2009 Miracle on the Hudson, we looked back at US Airways Flight 1549, initially a routine flight that quickly became anything but routine. 

• Also on Friday, Connoisseur Media aired an interview with LI Red Cross CEO Jose Dominguez as part of their weekly program Island Outlook. 

• Continuing our "Red Cross x Black History Month" series, we posted a new video on the remarkable life of Frederick Douglass and his connection with our organization. 

• Last Monday, the Red Cross assisted residents following a 3-alarm fire on Union St in New Rochelle. News12 and ABC7 reported on the fire. 

• Last week, the Red Cross celebrated Valentine's Day by sharing stories of Red Cross couples who embody caring and compassion.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Feb 23: Join us for a Home Fire and Disaster Action Team Volunteer Information Session. 

• Learn how you can become a volunteer Home Fire Campaign team member who installs free smoke alarms, educates residents, and much more. 

• RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS: Amid all the other strains on healthcare providers, a Red Cross blood shortage is forcing doctors to make tough decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who must wait until more blood is available. You can help! Find a Red Cross blood drive near you by visiting rcblood.org/donate. For blood drives in NYC and Long Island, visit aabb.org.

In Case You Missed It

Frances Reed Elliott Davis whose passion for nursing and helping communities
led her to become the first African-American nurse at the Red Cross.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 135 adults and 44 children following 41 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below) 

Last Week in Review

• Last week, the Red Cross announced a partnership that will bring multpile preparedness programs to the Bronx. 

• On Wednesday, the Red Cross provided support to two adults following a fire in Pleasantville, NY. Volunteers provided emergency funds, comfort kits, and other assistance to residents. 

• For Black History Month, the Red Cross is honoring the remarkable lives of African American leaders like Frances Reed Elliott Davis.

• Last week, the Long Island Red Cross announced the addition of eight new members to its Board of Directors. 

• ABC7 recently aired their "Operation 7: Save a Life" safety special which featured two segments about the Red Cross. Click here to watch the entire program. Red Cross segments begin at the 13:45 mark. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Feb 23: Join us for a Home Fire and Disaster Action Team Volunteer Information Session.

• Learn how you can become a volunteer home fire campaign team member. Install smoke alarms, educate residents, and much more. 

• RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS: Amid all the other strains on healthcare providers, a Red Cross blood shortage is forcing doctors to make tough decisions about who receives blood transfusions & who must wait until more blood is available. You can help! Find a Red Cross blood drive near you by visiting rcblood.org/donate. For blood drives in NYC and Long Island, visit aabb.org.

In Case You Missed It

ABC7 recently aired their "Operation 7: Save a Life" safety special
which featured two segments about the Red Cross.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 184 adults and 78 children following 53 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• ABC7 recently aired their "Operation 7: Save a Life" safety special which featured two segments about the Red Cross. Click here to watch the entire program. Red Cross segments begin at the 13:45 mark. 

• Last Friday, the Red Cross assisted 3 families displaced by a 2-alarm fire/explosion on Bay St in Gravesend, Brooklyn. Volunteers provided emergency housing and financial assistance. Fox5NY, ABC7 and Pix11 reported on the fire. 

• Thank you to NYC Councilman and Public Safety Chairman Terence McSweeney for partnering with the Red Cross to help prevent home fires.

• Last Tuesday, the Red Cross joined Connecticut City Council Members at Greenwich hospital to highlight the national blood crisis. Greenwich Patch, the Greenwich Sentinel, and the Greenwich Time reported on the press conference and the need to donate. Learn more about how you can donate.

• For February, the Red Cross is celebrating Black History Month and the vibrant heritage and significant contributions that Black Americans have made to our country and to the Red Cross. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Become a volunteer Home Fire Campaign Team Member and #savelives! As a member, you will install smoke alarms, educate residents, and more! Must be a licensed driver and comfortable using power tools. Apply today! 
• RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS: Amid all the other strains on healthcare providers, a Red Cross blood shortage is forcing doctors to make tough decisions about who receives blood transfusions & who must wait until more blood is available. You can help! Find a Red Cross blood drive near you by visiting rcblood.org/donate. For blood drives in NYC and Long Island, visit aabb.org.

In Case You Missed It

Board member Heather Goodchild training on NextGen Emergency Response Vehicles. (Photo: Vivian Moy)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 99 adults and 31 children following 46 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below) 

Last Week in Review

• Last Friday, the Red Cross assisted 2 families displaced by a fire in Yonkers NY. Volunteers provided emergency funds, comfort kits, and other assistance to residents. 

• With freezing temperatures and a massive winter storm, we shared these winter safety tips to help people prepare and stay safe. 

• Last Thursday, Greater NY Red Cross Board Member Heather Goodchild honed her NextGen Emergency Response Vehicle skills with training from the amazing (volunteer) Richard Sanford. 

• Last Thursday, News 12 reported that the Red Cross assisted residents displaced by a fire in Flatbush, Brooklyn. 

• Last week, we shared posts by our Metro New York North CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley, as well as the story of Red Cross volunteer Erica McKenna, about the importance of donating during the ongoing national blood crisis. Learn more about how you can donate.

• Last Tuesday, NY City Council Members Ari Kagan and Linda Lee thanked the Red Cross for assisting families impacted by fires in Brooklyn and Queens. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nurses and other health professionals are needed to support our lifesaving mission. Become a Red Cross volunteer today and join our Disaster Health Services team.
RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS: Amid all the other strains on healthcare providers, a Red Cross blood shortage is forcing doctors to make tough decisions about who receives blood transfusions & who must wait until more blood is available. You can help! Find a Red Cross blood drive near you by visiting rcblood.org/donate. For blood drives in NYC and Long Island, visit aabb.org.