In Case You Missed It

Red Cross responded to the partial building collapse in the Bronx. (Source: News 12)

From December 11th to December 17th, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 220 adults and 71 children following 39 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from that past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Saturday night after the fire on Caryl Ave in Yonkers, the American Red Cross worked with officials from the City of Yonkers to open an emergency shelter at the Peter Chema Sr. Community Center to support any residents needing a warm place to go and to connect with Red Cross caseworkers.
• Earlier in the day, the Metro NY North team was simulating an emergency shelter operation at the Rockland County Fire Training Center to help responders prepare for disasters that displace many residents, such as the one in Yonkers later that day.
• Over the weekend, some of our #MetroNYNorth Service to the Armed Forces team helped place wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes with Wreaths Across America.
• It was a beautiful day on Saturday to help make homes safer against the risk of fires on Saturday. Red Cross volunteers alongside FDNY & FDNY Foundation installed free smoke alarms and educated our Upper Manhattan neighbors about fire safety.
• Throughout last week, the Red Cross responded to the partial building collapse in the Bronx and supported the nearly 200 residents who were displaced by helping operate a service center at Bronx Community College. Red Cross efforts were covered by the New York Times, USA Today, New York Daily News, amNY, Univision, CBS2, NBC4, FOX5, ABC7, PIX11, News12, and others.
• The Red Cross responded to a fire on Staten Island on Friday, covered here by Gothamist.
• Last Friday, our Service to the Armed Forces team spent the day at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn delivering 12 resiliency workshops to services members and contractors on base.
• ABC7NY’s Bill Ritter reported that FDNY and the Red Cross are teaming up to install free smoke alarms in NYC homes and raise awareness for fire safety, showing FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh personally installing smoke alarms alongside Red Cross workers.
• Metro NY North Chapter CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley and board members spread holiday cheer to first responders in Greenwich, Conn.
• The Long Island Chapter gathered to recognize amazing Disaster Cycle Services volunteers, including some who helped provide mental health services to students after the tragic bus crash involving Farmingdale High School.
• Last Tuesday, we joined with Brooklyn State Senator Iwen Chu to discuss fire safety and preparedness while she introduced new legislation to address lithium-ion fires in residential buildings, reported by News 12.
• Long Island Chapter CEO Jose Dominguez sat down with Connoisseur Media for an interview, discussing holiday safety tips, what it means to volunteer, Taylor Swift, and more.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Year in Review 2023: As we close out 2023, we wish you a safe and healthy holiday season, and invite you to review some of our region's proudest and most memorable moments.
• Dec 20: Does war stop during the holiday season? Can enemies put down their guns and play a game of soccer? Join the American Red Cross IHL Program to explore some extraordinary moments in history when the guns of war have fallen silent during the holidays.
• Jan 12: Join national Red Cross leaders Brad Kieserman, Jennifer Pipa, and Koby Langley at a Special Town Hall Meeting. They will provide an update on operations across the country, share their vision for 2024, and answer your questions. RSVP via this link.

In Case You Missed It

Red Crossers went to Stuyvesant High School to teach Hands-only CPR
(Photo: Sean Patrick McNerney)

From December 5th to December 11th, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 100 adults and 48 children following 42 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from that past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• We partnered with Congresswoman Grace Meng to make a PSA about our Sound The Alarm program to end home fires in New York City.
• Red Crossers taught nearly 500 future leaders how to do Hands-Only CPR at Stuyvesant High School last week.
• Last Thursday, lohud.com published a special op-ed by Metro NY North CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley about how the climate crisis is amplifying the need for blood donations and disaster volunteers.
• Our Senior Disaster Program Manager, Brian Gerber, shared a touching mission moment from Hurricane Ida in a clip we shared last week.
• We shared this clip last week of when we honored Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom at the Women Who Serve America event in November for her lifetime of service.
• Last Monday, a 4th grade student made a thank you card for our volunteers Barbara and Helene who gave Pillowcase Program presentation at South Salem Elementary School.
• News12 Westchester covered a fire in White Plains where the Red Cross provided assistance to 7 people.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• 📢 Calling all Gamers 📢 This holiday season to help ensure that no family faces a disaster alone, join our Gamers vs Disasters fundraiser. Gamers can now join our #RescueRoyale, a charity based stream-a-thon, to help assist people affected by disasters big and small.
• Year in Review 2023: As we close out 2023, we wish you a safe and healthy holiday season, and invite you to review some of our region's proudest and most memorable moments.
• Dec 14: Give the gift of time! Join us on Microsoft Teams to learn about our most needed volunteer opportunities and how you can sign up to join us.
• Jan 12: Join national Red Cross leaders Brad Kieserman, Jennifer Pipa, and Koby Langley at a Special Town Hall Meeting. They will provide an update on operations across the country, share their vision for 2024, and answer your questions. RSVP via this link.

In Case You Missed It

The Greater NY Red Cross helped light the Fifth Avenue Snowflake to kickoff the season of giving.
(Photo: Nathalie Sayago)

From November 28 to December 4, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 118 adults and 32 children following 43 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from that past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Thank you Fifth Avenue for choosing the American Red Cross to officially light the 57th Street snowflake and for making us this year’s #TheGiftofFifth partner.
• Last Saturday, we held a Battle of The Badges Blood Drive in Greenwich, Conn. where local police, firefighters and EMS battled it out to see who could inspire the most blood donations. We had over 60 pints of blood donated, which is 180 lives they potentially saved! You can donate anytime through the end of December using this BloodLink.
• News 12 helped to get the word out for an amazing Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon emergency preparedness community event. The turnout was great, and our partners in Mount Vernon were thrilled with the results.
• Turner Construction Company joined members of our Service to the Armed Forces team to spread holiday cheer at the Bronx VA Hopsital by helping clean up the garden and decorate the indoors with holiday festivity.
• CBS2 covered a fire on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Thursday where Red Cross responders are helping those impacted.
• ABC7, News12, and Brooklyn Paper covered a fire in Bushwick on Wednesday where Red Cross responders are helping four families.
• Last Monday, the Giving Machines were unveiled at Times Square! Through the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines hosted by our partner The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can donate directly to the Red Cross and provide help and hope to others this season.
• Home Fire Campaign volunteer Chenxi Shi shares how many smoke alarms he has installed in the community and what he enjoys most about volunteering with the program in this clip.
• Long Island Congressman Nick LaLota is helping to “Sound the Alarm” about home fires with this video PSA.
• We shared this clip last week of when we honored First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell for her lifetime of service, including her current leadership in NYC Emergency Management, at the Women Who Serve America event earlier in November.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• 📢 Calling all Gamers 📢This holiday season to help ensure that no family faces a disaster alone, join our Gamers vs Disasters fundraiser. Gamers can now join our #RescueRoyale, a charity based stream-a-thon, to help assist people affected by disasters big and small.
• Year in Review 2023: As we close out 2023, we wish you a safe and healthy holiday season, and invite you to review some of our region's proudest and most memorable moments.
• Dec 9: Red Cross volunteers will be tabling at the City of White Plains Volunteer & Wellness Festival from 12p to 4p at The Westchester (4th Floor), 125 Westchester Avenue. Come say hello!
• Through Dec 9: 10% of sales at POLOGEORGIS in Greenwich will benefit the American Red Cross Metro NY North chapter.
• Dec 14: Give the gift of time! Join us on Microsoft Teams to learn about our most needed volunteer opportunities and how you can sign up to join us.

In Case You Missed It

Our home fire volunteers joined Assemblymember Michaelle Solages to install smoke alarms.

(Photo: Michelle Solages)

Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 238 adults and 86 children following 48 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 was busy this holiday weekend, responding to disasters throughout the region:
• On Saturday, News 12 covered a house fire in Brentwood.
• On Friday, the New York Post, CBS 2, NBC 4, and PIX 11 covered a fatal fire at an apartment building in Harlem.
• Also on Friday, News 12 covered a fire in a Brooklyn apartment building.
• On Thursday, News 12 covered a Thanksgiving fire in a Brooklyn apartment building.
• Last Monday, News 12 covered a fatal fire in the Bronx that spread to several neighboring buildings.
• On a lighter note, Mayhem the therapy dog visited a blood drive over the weekend to help donors relax while they gave blood.
• Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteers spread some holiday cheer at the annual Village of Hempstead Veterans' Event and attended the Nassau County Veterans Winter Stand down.
• We continued our “Year in Review of 2023” with three more photos:
• Our emergency relief to the victims of a fire that tore through a 97-unit apartment building in Yonkers.
• The humanitarian heroes celebration at the Ziegfield Ballroom.
• When New York landmarks lit up red in support of Red Cross Month.
• Our home fire campaign volunteers joined forces with Nassau Assemblymember Michaelle Solages to install 79 smoke alarms and help protect 59 residents on Saturday.
• Manhattan Assemblymember Tony Simone recorded a PSA for our Sound the Alarm campaign to help end home fires.
• We posted this clip of incredible SAF volunteer and Women of Service honoree Alison Bergman from our Central Park celebration earlier in November.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nov 29: Join us for a special event to benefit the American Red Cross Metro NY North chapter at Pologeorgis Greenwich. 10% from the sales of our new luxury outerwear collection from Nov 29th until Dec 9th will benefit the Red Cross.📲 RSVP info@pologeorgis.com
• Dec 2 (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities!
• Dec 2: Red Cross Board Member in MNYN and Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey is challenging the community to schedule 100 new appointments to donate blood in honor of his 100th blood donation, hosting a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Greenwich, Conn. Go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: GREENPOLICE or schedule a BloodLink appointment at another time using this link.
• Dec 9: Red Cross volunteers will be tabling at the City of White Plains Volunteer & Wellness Festival from 12p to 4p at The Westchester (4th Floor), 125 Westchester Avenue. Come say hello!

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross assist Bronx residents after fire on Holland Ave. (Photo: Glenn Schuck)

Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 186 adults and 75 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

• Our volunteers gathered for a Shelter Simulation last Saturday to hone their skills setting up and managing an emergency shelter.
• Last Friday, CBS New York, NY Post and News 12 reported the Red Cross provided 8 families with emergency housing, financial assistance, comfort items, water, and snacks following a fire on Holland Ave in the Bronx.
• We posted this clip of NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella from the Women Who Serve America event earlier in November.
• We started our “Year in Review of 2023” with these two photographs: Closing NASDAQ and Visit to Albany for Advocacy Day
• Last Tuesday, Disaster Volunteers held tabletop exercises to better prepare for rising severe weather disasters due to the climate crisis.
• If you couldn’t attend the “We Were There: 9/11” Panel Discussion, we posted the full program here.
• Huge thank you to our amazing volunteers who were recognized at the Fall Harvest Volunteer celebration.
• We posted more photos of Red Cross Veterans and our Metro NY North Board members and volunteers marching in the annual Greenwich Veterans Day Parade and American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nov 29: Join us for a special event to benefit the American Red Cross Metro NY North chapter at Pologeorgis Greenwich. 10% from the sales of our new luxury outerwear collection from Nov 29th until Dec 9th will benefit the Red Cross.📲 RSVP info@pologeorgis.com
• Dec 2 (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities!
• Dec 2: Red Cross Board Member in MNYN and Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey is challenging the community to schedule 100 new appointments to donate blood in honor of his 100th blood donation, hosting a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Greenwich, Conn. Go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: GREENPOLICE or schedule a BloodLink appointment at another time using this link.
• Dec 9: Red Cross volunteers will be tabling at the City of White Plains Volunteer & Wellness Festival from 12p to 4p at The Westchester (4th Floor), 125 Westchester Avenue. Come say hello!

In Case You Missed It

Red Crossers marching in the NYC Veterans Day Parade. (Photo: Eric Strausman)

Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 149 adults and 39 children following 44 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review 

• Red Cross volunteers with SAF marched in the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade on Fifth Avenue.
• Congratulations to Rose, Vito, Curtis and our colleagues from across the northeast division who completed operations management training this weekend.
• Metro NY North CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley wrote about Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavy and his community challenge to book 100 new blood donation appointments in honor of his 100th pint donated over his lifetime of service.
• The Greater New York Red Cross and Puerto Rico Red Cross partnered to offer a Day of Service installing smoke alarms at the annual SOMOS conference to bring together Latino communities across New York state and beyond.
• Last Wednesday, PIX11 and NY1 covered the annual Women Who Serve Our City and Country event in Central Park, where the American Red Cross in Greater New York joined partners to recognize seven extraordinary women who serve our country, communities, and New York City.
• That same day, Mayhem represented our SAF team when she went to visit the service members of the Air National Guard and 109th Airlift Wing to thank them for their service.
• Meet Frantz and Jason in this web story: Red Cross teammates, bonded by their military service.
• Newsday and the Daily Voice covered a fatal fire in Hempstead where the Red Cross is helping five families.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Dec 2 (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities!
• Dec 2: Red Cross Board Member in MNYN and Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey is challenging the community to schedule 100 new appointments to donate blood in honor of his 100th blood donation, hosting a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Greenwich, Conn. Go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: GREENPOLICE or schedule a BloodLink appointment at another time using this link.
• Dec 9: Red Cross volunteers will be tabling at the City of White Plains Volunteer & Wellness Festival from 12p to 4p at The Westchester (4th Floor), 125 Westchester Avenue. Come say hello!

In Case You Missed It

Disaster Action Team volunteers on call in Westchester (Photo: Kevin Suttlehan)

Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 143 adults and 40 children following 40 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Congrats to Team Red Cross who ran the New York City Marathon on Sunday to benefit the Red Cross mission! We also hosted them at our NYC office before the marathon.
• Last Sunday, our four-legged volunteers Lulu, Mayhem, Milo & Walnut visited a Red Cross blood drive to thank all the donors and helped everyone feel relaxed and happy.
• The Red Cross responded to a building fire in Freeport (Nassau County) on Friday which displaced thirty-two people, Newsday reported.
• Westchester Magazine featured our MNYN Disaster Action Team volunteers, who have helped more than one thousand people recover from disasters in Westchester, Rockland, and Greenwich, Conn over the past twelve months.
• We reminded residents to test their smoke alarms, as everybody should do once per month — and don’t forget to change your batteries when you change your clocks!
• Big thanks to Queens native Peter Facinelli for supporting the Red Cross on Celebrity Jeopardy last Wednesday!
• Hear how deploying to disasters is a family affair in this story told by Long Island volunteer Sal Montoro.
• An article was published in the Long Island Herald over the weekend about how the Red Cross honored Kevin Rivera with the Good Samaritan Award.
• The Long Island Herald and Long Island Press also published articles on Award recipients at the Red Cross’s Long Island Heroes Celebration.
• The Red Cross shared a recap of a recent conversation moderated by Greater NY Board Member Ashleigh Banfield about the climate crisis and its impact on disaster relief efforts.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nov 8: Ahead of Veterans Day, a group of extraordinary women who serve our country and our local communities will be honored at an annual tribute ceremony at the Overseas Service League Flagstaff and Women Veterans Memorial Grove in Central Park. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook.
• Nov 11: The Idea Kitchen is hosting a blood drive in Larchmont, NY. Schedule an appointment here.
• Dec 2 (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities!
• Dec 2: Red Cross Board Member in MNYN and Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey is challenging the community to schedule 100 new appointments to donate blood in honor of his 100th blood donation, hosting a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive in Greenwich, Conn. Go to redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: GREENPOLICE or schedule a BloodLink appointment at another time using this link.

In Case You Missed It

Kevin Rivera was honored with the Good Samaritan Hero Award at the
Long Island Red Cross Heroes Celebration. (Photo: John Eng)

 Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 102 adults and 39 children following 40 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• At the Long Island Heroes Celebration, we honored several local heroes for their contributions to the Long Island community
• Kevin Rivera was given the 2023 Good Samaritan Hero Award for his bravery in rescuing a family of six from a house fire while on his Amazon delivery route.
• We presented the Humanitarian Award to The Donno Family for their personal and financial generosity and sacrifice, and their continued efforts to make a difference in the lives of others. Read about them in the Manhasset Times.
• Jim Dodge, CFO of First Quality Enterprises with our Corporate Leadership Award
• Check out our photo gallery for the event here.
• Check out some fire prevention safety tips from Metro NY North Chapter CEO (and volunteer firefighter) Stephanie Dunn Ashley in her monthly column for the Greenwich Sentinel.
• Last Thursday, News 12 Brooklyn covered our press conference with FDNY and the FDNY Foundation to help spread the word about our partnership to install free smoke alarms in the community through the Sound The Alarm initiative.
• We posted this fun fact from our Mineola archives about an historic doll once used to raise money for the Long Island Chapter during World War II.
• Have you spotted our #causecontainer? Post a photo of it with the hashtag and the Hub Group will make a donation to the Red Cross!
• Last week, we continued to work with the NYC Administration for Children's Services to provide safety tips for a safe Halloween!
• Patch promoted our Halloween blood drive at the New Rochelle Library.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Nov 2: The next installment of our ongoing “We Were There” panel series will focus on our response to 9/11. Register to attend in-person or via Zoom.
• Nov 11: The Idea Kitchen is hosting a blood drive in Larchmont, NY. Schedule an appointment here.
• Dec 2 (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities!

In Case You Missed It

Volunteers Marty and Robert with State Senator Pete Harckham at The Senior Resource Fair over the weekend

Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 86 adults and 34 children following 43 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, our volunteers Marty and Robert shared important preparedness and fire safety information at Senator Pete Harckham’s Senior Resource Fair. 
• We posted a heartwarming experience one of our volunteers had while volunteering with the Hurricane Sandy response in 2012. Join Red Cross volunteers like Sal. 
• Manhattan Assemblymember Grace Lee visited the Red Cross GNY headquarters to discuss how communities in her district can be prepared for disasters and stay safe. 
• Rockland State Senator Bill Weber and Congressman Mike Lawler helped to “Sound the Alarm” about home fires in these PSAs. 
• Throughout last week, we continued to emphasize the importance of giving blood during our national shortage. 
• The Lieber Institute at West Point Military Academy shared this piece from two legal advisors at the ICRC about principles of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts. 

Upcoming Events and Activities 

• Oct 25: The 2023 film “Oppenheimer” led audiences on a tour de force through J. Robert Oppenheimer's work on the Manhattan Project, which ushered in a new era of destruction in war. Join the American Red Cross as we use the film to explore the dawn of the nuclear era and its intersection with the law. 
• Oct 26: This fall, we will recognize heroic individuals and compassionate leaders who embody our humanitarian mission at the Long Island Heroes Celebration. Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and music, as well as one-of-a-kind auction items. 
• Nov 11: The Idea Kitchen is hosting a blood drive in Larchmont, NY. Schedule an appointment here. 
• Dec 2: (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities! 

In Case You Missed It

LI Red Cross CEO Jose Dominguez and volunteers were honored at the NY Islanders Opening Day.

Over the last seven days, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 81 adults and 17 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

• Last Sunday, our team was excited to participate in Long Island Family Day at the Cradle of Aviation to help to prepare families for emergencies.
• Our 4-legged volunteers (and their handlers) also attended an event at Stewart Air Force Base to thank the 411th Engineer Brigade for their service. We wish them a safe return from their deployment!
• Did you catch Jose, the CEO of our Long Island Chapter, on the Jumbotron in UBS Arena during the New York Islanders’ victorious opening night on Saturday? We were so honored to be featured in their Community Spotlight to kick off the NHL season!
• #LongIsland volunteer Paul shared important fire safety information with a fine feathered friend, Quacker Jack from the Long Island Ducks, during the Central Islip fire prevention week open house on Saturday.
• Last Thursday, NYPD Bronx Community Outreach division officers partnered up with the GNY Red Cross to discuss variety of safety emergency tips at a RAIN Older Adult Center.
• Maria and Daisy rolled up their sleeves to donate blood during #hispanicheritagemonth as part of a national effort led by the Red Cross VIDA employee resource group to encourage more people of Latino and Hispanic backgrounds to give blood.
• As part of Fire Prevention Week, we shared a supercut PSA of the many NYC elected officials who have urged residents to check their smoke alarms and get new ones installed for free from the Red Cross.
• News12 Bronx covered the ongoing need for blood drives in Greater New York and throughout the nation.
• The Queens Chronicle reported on a fire on 88th Ave in Queens last Tuesday, where the Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 4 families.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Are you a licensed medical professional ready to help your community? Help us grow our volunteer workforce this fall. With just a few simple actions you can ensure the Red Cross can support your neighbors in need after a disaster.
• Oct 18: Explore the critical challenges faced by children in conflict zones. In partnership with the American Red Cross and Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, this webinar sheds light on the existing legal and policy frameworks, emphasizing the essential advancements for heightened protection.
• Oct 25: The 2023 film “Oppenheimer” led audiences on a tour de force through J. Robert Oppenheimer's work on the Manhattan Project, which ushered in a new era of destruction in war. Join the American Red Cross as we use the film to explore the dawn of the nuclear era and its intersection with the law.
Oct 26: This fall, we will recognize heroic individuals and compassionate leaders who embody our humanitarian mission at the Long Island Heroes Celebration. Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and music, as well as one-of-a-kind auction items.

In Case You Missed It

Teaching International Humanitarian Law to cadets attending SUNY Maritime College.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 91 adults and 19 children following 37 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last Sunday, our community preparedness team spent the day at SUNY Maritime College to teach International Humanitarian Law, hands only CPR, and other preparedness courses to 30 sea cadets at the school.
• At the Mill Neck Manor Apple Festival over the weekend, our volunteers shared important preparedness information and signed people up for free smoke alarm installations.
• Our Long Island volunteer Edras Hidalgo was given the First Responder Award during state senator Monica Martinez’s Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration last Friday.
• Last Wednesday, Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski helped our volunteers install smoke detectors in the Rockland community.
• In support of our Sound the Alarm campaign, State Senator Shelly B. Mayor did a PSA for her Westchester district expressing the danger that home fires pose and how the Red Cross can help.
• We shared a post about long time donor, Ann, who came in for her thirty fourth blood donation and encouraged others to do the same amidst our ongoing national blood shortage.
• Bronx-based radio station WFUV published an interview last week about how new donor eligibility standards in New York increase inclusiveness in blood donations for the LGBTQIA+ community.
• At the end of September, after installing free smoke alarms and providing fire safety education in Washington Heights, some of our Home Fire Campaign volunteers stuck around upper Manhattan to visit the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
• A Red Cross grant helped fund swimming lessons in Nassau County provided by Black People Will Swim and the Jack and Jill Society.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Oct 15: We hope to see you for a day of fun at Long Island Family Day! Our teams will be there to share important safety information and teach Hands Only CPR.
• Oct 18: Explore the critical challenges faced by children in conflict zones. In partnership with the American Red Cross and Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, this webinar sheds light on the existing legal and policy frameworks, emphasizing the essential advancements for heightened protection.
• Oct 25: The 2023 film “Oppenheimer” led audiences on a tour de force through J. Robert Oppenheimer's work on the Manhattan Project, which ushered in a new era of destruction in war. Join the American Red Cross as we use the film to explore the dawn of the nuclear era and its intersection with the law.
• Oct 26: This fall, we will recognize heroic individuals and compassionate leaders who embody our humanitarian mission at the Long Island Heroes Celebration. Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and music, as well as one-of-a-kind auction items.
• Dec 2 (Rescheduled): At Prepare the Town: Mount Vernon, the American Red Cross and the City of Mount Vernon want to help prepare you and your community for emergencies, including home fires. Join us for free giveaways, demonstrations, veterans' resources, and other safety activities!

In Case You Missed It

The Red Cross helped New York recover after flooding over the weekend.

 Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 163 adults and 64 children following 51 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• After severe flooding throughout the region on Friday, our amazing volunteers on the Disaster Assessment Teams and the Shelter Overnight Team worked tirelessly to provide food, shelter, comfort, and care to those affected by the disaster.
• Newsday, NBC, and News12 Long Island covered Red Cross GNY’s shelter operation in New Hyde Park in Nassau County, where the Red Cross provided refuge for dozens of residents displaced by severe flooding.
• LoHud, CBS, and News12 Westchester covered Red Cross GNY’s shelter operation in Mamaroneck in Westchester County, where the Red Cross provided refuge for dozens of residents displaced by severe flooding.
• At the end of National Preparedness Month, some of our Service to the Armed Forces team and pet therapy dogs attended Emergency Preparedness Day at U.S. Army Garrison West Point.
• Throughout last week, our Service to the Armed Forces team was happy to participate in the Blue Star Family Welcome Week for new military families transitioning into the community.
• On Wednesday, we published a story on Ashley Flowers, a blood donor ambassador who stresses the importance of donating blood for people with sickle cell disease.
• We also gave a behind-the-scenes look into how our Disaster Action Team responds to more than five disasters a day, relying on a network of volunteers to help fellow New Yorkers through one of the worst days of their life.
• WFUV published an interview about recent changes in FDA policy that the Red Cross has implemented to make blood donation more inclusive.
• BronxNet published an interview with Red Crosser Mary Cueva about her volunteer work in disaster response and her AmeriCorps work with the Home Fire Campaign.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• October 7: The City of Mount Vernon in collaboration with the American Red Cross in Greater New York wants to prepare our community for emergencies including home fires and storms. Join us from 11am to 4pm at the Doles Center for demonstrations, free giveaways, veterans resources, and other safety activities.
• Oct 15: We hope to see you for a day of fun at Long Island Family Day! Our teams will be there to share important safety information and teach Hands Only CPR.
• Oct 26: This fall, we will recognize heroic individuals and compassionate leaders who embody our humanitarian mission at the Long Island Heroes Celebration. Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and music, as well as one-of-a-kind auction items.

In Case You Missed it

GNY Red Cross Interim CEO Celena Sarillo went on the Pix11 Morning Show to encourage blood donations.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 174 adults and 44 children following 39 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday, ABC 7 and CBS 2 covered our aid of nearly two dozen families who were displaced by a Brooklyn apartment fire.
• Over the weekend, in her column in The Greenwich Sentinel, Stephanie Dunn Ashley highlighted a speech that Red Cross volunteer Ashley Flowers gave at our Metro New York North chapter headquarters in Greenwich, stressing the importance of blood donations to those living with sickle cell disease.
• Pedro the Preparedness Penguin visited PS 96 on Tuesday for the Hispanic Heritage Month family festival where he shared about how to prepare for disasters big and small.
• Diligent donor Sam Friedman shared why he loves to donate blood at every opportunity.
• Bronx Assemblymember George Alvarez recorded a PSA (in both English and Spanish) for the Red Cross’ Sound the Alarm campaign to end home fires.
• We posted a story about volunteer Ray Robledo, who has been deploying to national-level disasters for three decades including a return to Guam for the recent Typhoon Mawar.
• Interim CEO for Greater NY Celena Sarillo joined the PIX 11 Morning Show to talk about the ongoing blood shortage.
• On Monday, Brooklyn Assemblymember Brian Cunningham aided our team in installing smoke alarms in his community.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Sept 30: At our In Person NYC Open House, we will discuss our open volunteer positions, answer questions and assist with the volunteer application process.
• Oct 7: Together with the City of Mount Vernon, we will be hosting a Prepare the Town event for the community.
• Oct 15: We hope to see you for a day of fun at Long Island Family Day! Our teams will be there to share important safety information and teach Hands Only CPR.
• Oct 26: This fall, we will recognize heroic individuals and compassionate leaders who embody our humanitarian mission at the Long Island Heroes Celebration. Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and music, as well as one-of-a-kind auction items.

In Case You Missed It

#LIRedCross responded to a vehicle collision with a home in Huntington
(Photo: Celia Vollmer)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 116 adults and 25 children following 33 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

 

Last Week in Review

• Last Saturday, our team provided a family with financial assistance and comfort supplies following an incident involving a vehicle collision with a building in Huntington (Suffolk County).
• Our team joined the fair hosted by the National Council of Negro Women on Saturday and shared important preparedness information alongside Northwell Lenox Hill Ambulance crew, NYCEM, & Northwell Military Liaison and more!
• Our Service to the Armed Forces team checked in from the 106th Air Rescue Group Family Day of Wellness in Westhampton Beach last weekend.
• On Thursday, the team participated in Senator Bill Weber’s Annual Senior Fair, where they shared important fire safety information and signed up residents for free smoke alarm installs.
• Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine did a PSA in English and Spanish for the red cross’s Sound the Alarm campaign to end home fires
• Amid a blood shortage, we shared a story from Zoe Schwartz who returned to give blood after the FDA changed blood donation eligibility
• Last Monday, we honored the 57,000 red cross team members who helped our relief efforts following the September 11th attacks including a post on Sherry Capers, who was an essential worker in our response to 9/11.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Sept 19: Join us for a live conversation on LinkedIn about how climate crisis is impacting more vulnerable communities, hosted by GNY Red Cross Board Member and host of “Banfield” on NewsNation, Ashleigh Banfield with special guest Jennifer Pipa, vice president of Red Cross Disaster Programs.
• Sept 30: At our In Person NYC Open House, we will discuss our open volunteer positions, answer questions and assist with the volunteer application process.
• Oct 7: Together with the City of Mount Vernon, we will be hosting Prepare the Town
• Oct 15: We hope to see you for a day of fun at Long Island Family Day! Our teams will be there to share important safety information and teach Hands Only CPR.
• Oct 26: This fall, we will recognize heroic individuals and compassionate leaders who embody our humanitarian mission at the Long Island Heroes Celebration. Join us for an evening of cocktails, fine dining, and music, as well as one-of-a-kind auction items.

In Case You Missed It

Celebrating the newly renovated Metro NY North Chapter building in Greenwich, CT. (Photo: Dan Neiman)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 153 adults and 36 children following 41 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• The Red Cross announced a national blood shortage, as you may have also seen on NY1 or PIX11.
• Ahead of the 9/11 anniversary, we reshared our special 9/11 podcast where Red Cross volunteers recalled that fateful day and recount their experiences helping others.
• We dropped a sizzle reel to promote our upcoming Long Island Heroes Celebration on Oct. 26, 2023.
• Last Wednesday, the Greenwich Sentinel covered our celebration of the newly renovated Metro NY North chapter building in Greenwich, CT, featuring a state-of-the-art blood center.
• We made sure families were ready to be back at school safely with these important tips.
• Blood Donor and Corporate Partnerships Officer Deirdre Dolan shared her story as to why she thinks it's important to donate blood regularly.
• Senator Chuck Schumer helped “Sound the Alarm” about home fires with this PSA.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Sept 13-14: Come get informed or reminded on what you should be doing to maintain your Individual Hurricane Readiness. The aim of this Zoom Webinar is to reduce the impact of storms on you and your family.
• Sept. 12-14: For GNY Volunteers, as we prepare for any potential future hurricanes, we have some classes and just in time training set for this week. It is encouraged you attend if you need to refresh your memory or if you want to learn more about a position and be able to help out during the operation (must have Volunteer Connection account).
• Sept 13: Even War Has Rules is a dynamic discussion of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and how it governs armed conflict (must have Volunteer Connection account to register).
• Sept 18: Are you a young woman professional who is passionate about helping others? Do you want to be part of positive change? We invite you to join the American Red Cross in Greater New York for the 2023-2024 kick-off of Clara’s Council!
• Oct 26: Get tickets for the Long Island Heroes Celebration, the signature fundraising event for the American Red Cross on Long Island.