In Case You Missed It

All of our honorees at the Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 177 adults and 47 children following 62 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• On Saturday, our annual Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor was held again in person for the first time since 2019. At this year’s event, at the Riverside Yacht Club, we honored General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Mrs. Hollyanne Milley; humanitarians Colleen and Philip Hempleman; and corporate leaders Carlson & Carlson, Inc. Thank you to all who supported this event! 

• Over the weekend, our home fire safety volunteers canvassed neighborhoods in Spring Valley NY to raise awareness for our upcoming Sound the Alarm event on May 7. 

• We could not have been prouder to see our friend and volunteer Magnolia Chiri featured by Newsday for National Volunteer Week last Friday. 

• Thank you to Mira USA for training volunteers in preparation for our next Sound the Alarm event next month. 

• Last week, we shared the story of longtime Red Cross volunteer Nancy Soto who, for National Volunteer Week, was recognized by the Brooklyn Borough President for her more than two decades of Red Cross service. The Brooklyn Eagle reported on this honor. 

• On Thursday, the Long Island Herald ran an OpEd penned by our Long Island Chapter CEO Jose Dominguez about the contributions of Red Cross volunteers. 

• Red Cross volunteers continued to raise awareness about Red Cross programs, including our CPR training, at the NY International Auto Show. 

• Sylvia Beckerman's newest episode of her podcast Syliva and Me, featured our very own GNY Regional CEO Mary Barneby.
• GreenwichMoms.com also featured our Metro NY North CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley in their “Meet a Mom” interview series.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Apr 25, 30: Join us for Even War Has Rules a presentation about global issues and International Humanitarian Law.
• Learn how you can become a volunteer home fire campaign team member. These individuals install smoke alarms and educate residents about fire safety.
• To find a blood drive near you click here.

“Three Questions” with Prince Thomas

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.

Prince Thomas feels a responsibility to help his community in times of need. This is what inspired him to start his journey as a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Prince, a resident of New Rochelle in Westchester County, joined the Metro NY North Chapter Disaster Action Team (DAT) in December of 2019. In addition to helping residents after local disasters through the Red Cross, Prince, a father of two young children, is also a volunteer firefighter in Scarsdale.

Why did you initially start volunteering as a firefighter and how did that lead you to the Red Cross?

One reason was that I wanted to do something steady in the community. Something that wasn’t just volunteering at a soup kitchen or at a food pantry here and there. I wanted something longer-term that I could do. And also, at that time, I had a federal job, so I had racked up a ton of vacation time. I had the time to go to the fire academy.

I've been a volunteer firefighter for about 10 years. [As firefighters] we go put the fire down and go home. I always wondered what happened after that, you know, what happens to the families after the fire. I remember one time at an incident…seeing the Red Cross people there. Then I was like, “Oh, what do they do?” Because in my mind the picture I had of the Red Cross at a fire was someone putting a blanket around you and giving you hot cocoa. I just thought that's what they did. I didn't know the other stuff they did as far as temporary housing and providing money and mental health services. And then I was like, “I didn't know that existed.” It was cool to see a fire full circle. There is a phrase we use at the fire department: if you see me as a firefighter, it’s probably the worst day of your life. But that's also true with the Red Cross. It's not under great circumstances. But hopefully we [Red Cross volunteers] could help you make it better.

What is the most meaningful part of volunteering for the Red Cross?

The most meaningful part of the job is connecting with people. After a fire, at the Red Cross, we’re talking to affected individuals, and half the time they’re still in shock...Half the time they’re just like “What’s going on?” They can’t process it. But I think also, it’s nice for them to be like “Oh, these people are here to help me.” It’s just that human touch for them that's a big thing.

And it's the little things. Going to a fire as a firefighter, I remember my instructor always told me, I should keep some Hot Wheels in my fire bag. If there were kids at a fore, I could give them out. I try to do the same for the Red Cross. We have Mickey Mouses that we give out, but I’ll also keep little fidget spinners and little coloring books with me… I keep that in my Red Cross responder bag and I feel like that has been helpful because these kids don’t know what's going on. Usually, they want me to explain to them what's going on because their parents are just rushing back and forth and figuring things out about their situation. A sense of calm is always big for them.

Prince (left) and a fellow Red Cross volunteer

What does the Red Cross mean to you, particularly as a father?

It has grounded me a lot. It’s given me a sense of purpose. It’s given me an appreciation for what I have. It also made me feel much more in tune with my community. And you meet a lot of cool people. A lot of people from different backgrounds. I’ve met are people who are volunteer EMTs or paramedics. And a few other volunteer firefighters. It’s been cool.

Being a father is so amazing. My kids, the older one especially, when he sees my Red Cross bag, he knows. He says: “Oh, Dad’s gonna go for a fire or something.” It's kind of cool to give him something to be like “when you grow up, you have to give back to your community.”

 

In Case You Missed It

Greater NY Board Chair, John Osborn, with Tracy Morgan and DMC and other
Red Crossers at NY International Auto Show. (Photo: Dan Neiman)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 190 adults and 46 children following 53 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Yesterday marked the start of National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize those who make our work possible. 

• Earlier in the week, the President of the United States proclaimed April 17 through April 23, 2022, as National Volunteer Week.

• In advance of National Volunteer Week, the Greenwich Sentinel ran an OpEd from our Metro NY North CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley. 

• Yesterday, John Osborn, our Greater NY Board Chair, spoke at the opening ceremony of the New York International Auto Show, where he accepted a donation to support International Red Cross teams providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine and neighboring countries. See more photos from our volunteer photographer Dan Neiman here.

• On Friday morning, Patch reported that the Red Cross assisted residents displaced by a fatal fire at 78 Mulberry Street in Chinatown. 

• Last week, we shared the story of Haley Nivelle, a recent blood donor, who explained why she believes people should consider donating.

• Last week, we shared the touching story of Lou Cousens, a veteran from New Rochelle who turned to the Red Cross after a fire last February forced him from his home of 30+ years. Here is what he said about one of our volunteers who helped him.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Apr 19: Join us for a Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply. 

• Apr 23: Join the Red Cross at the Red & White Ball, A Salute to Service and Valor. We are honoring General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Mrs. Hollyanne Milley for their lifetime of service; humanitarians Colleen and Philip Hempleman; and corporate leaders Carlson & Carlson. 

• Learn how you can become a volunteer home fire campaign team member. These individuals install smoke alarms and educate residents about fire safety.

• To find a blood drive near you click here.

“Three Questions” with Linda Latona

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.

Linda Latona, a social worker from Mamaroneck, New York, has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter since 2016. She initially joined the Red Cross as a way to support her community and offer relief in times of disaster. In her roles as a Disaster Action Team member and a Disaster Mental Health volunteer, Linda offers her experience and compassion following emergencies large and small.

What is it like being called to a disaster when you are on-call in the middle of the night?

Being woken up to go out and be there for someone, during their worst moment, just to be present and compassionate and to give them a little bit of comfort, it means a lot to me.

When we go on a DAT call, we give a little bit of money, enough to get through a few days. We give clients a safe place to sleep, some food to eat, a chance to just replenish and catch their breath as they move to their next steps to recovery.

I lose some sleep, but I can catch up on my sleep.

What is your most memorable disaster response with the Red Cross?

I would say that would be the overnight Ida shelter. We set up a shelter at Mamaroneck High School. 

The police and the rescuers brought in evacuees, who had been rescued by boats. Some of these people were pulled through windows, some were floating in their cars and others hanging off of stop signs and trees. They were being swept away by the flood currents. We were initially anticipating about 30 people. Ultimately 150 came. They just kept coming. And they kept coming with stories of more and more traumatic, life-threatening rescues.

I checked in with each and every one of them.

Why do you feel compelled to continue your volunteer work with the Red Cross?

It works for me. I can give as much or as little as I can. When there is a need and I can help, I serve. And I serve with people who inspire me to keep serving. If I can do anything to provide comfort to someone experiencing a disaster, in the worst moment of their life, with co-volunteers that I admire, then that makes sense to keep volunteering.

In Case You Missed It

LI Red Cross volunteers supporting My Brother’s Keeper's Spring Celebration.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 92 adults and 18 children following 30 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Yesterday in Brentwood, NY, LI Red Cross disaster volunteers supported the Spring Celebration of our local partner My Brother’s Keeper. 

• LI Red Cross volunteers installed free smoke alarms to residents over the weekend. Make your appointment by calling (516) 229-1086 or by visiting redcross.org.

• On Saturday, for National Minority Health Month, our biomed team raised awareness and shared important information about health disparities at the Galeria Mall in White Plains. 

• Last week, we shared the story of Steven Garmon, a recent blood donor, who explained why he believes people should consider donating. 

• In our latest #MyRedCrossLife post, volunteer Lindsey Dore discussed her passion for volunteering and how it impacted her decision to join the Red Cross. 

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Apr 19: Join us for a Volunteer Info Session to learn about our many volunteer opportunities and how you can apply. 

• Apr 23: Join the Red Cross at the Red & White Ball, A Salute to Service and Valor. We are honoring General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Mrs. Hollyanne Milley for their lifetime of service, humanitarians Colleen and Philip Hempleman and corporate leaders Carlson & Carlson. 

• Learn how you can become a volunteer home fire campaign team member. These individuals install smoke alarms and educate residents about fire safety.

• To find a blood drive near you click here. 

In Case You Missed It

Long Island Disaster Action Team members responding to a Multi-family fire in Hampton Bays

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 155 adults and 39 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

• Thank you to our Long Island Disaster Action Team members who responded to a fire that displaced 14 families in Hampton Bays (Suffolk County) on Saturday. These responders provided emergency support to the families, including financial assistance, blankets, and comfort kits. 

• Last Thursday, our Metro NY North team provided assistance following a 5-alarm commercial fire in New Rochelle. Volunteers provided canteen services to numerous fire departments who responded to the blaze.

• Last Tuesday, our Home Fire Safety team visited 37 homes where they installed 136 smoke alarms.

• Also on Tuesday, the Veronica Beard store in Greenwich organized a special shopping opportunity, where 10% of sales proceeds were donated to the Red Cross. 

• The Red Cross and Borough Park JCC partnered to install free smoke alarms in Boro Park homes.

• Late last week, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, raised the Red Cross Flag in recognition of Red Cross month.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Apr 23: Join the Red Cross at the Red & White Ball, A Salute to Service and Valor. We are honoring humanitarians Colleen and Philip Hempleman and corporate leaders Carlson & Carlson. 

• Learn how you can become a volunteer home fire campaign team member. These individuals install smoke alarms and educate residents about fire safety.

• To find a blood drive near you click here.