In Case You Missed It

Pedro the Preparedness Penguin lends a hand to the Home Fire Team
installing free smoke alarms in the community. (Photo: Eli Dardis)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 288 adults and 83 children following 71 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Pedro the Penguin took time out of his busy schedule teaching children preparedness to help install free smoke alarms and teach fire safety in the community for Earth Day!
• CBS NY and NY1 reported on the Red Cross assisting 5 households, 13 Adults, 5 children, 2 pets following neighboring homes following the parking garage collapse on Ann St in Lower Manhattan.
• We were so thrilled to have NYS DHSES Commissioner Bray join us for our triboard retreat this week. We are so proud of our partnership to help prepare, respond and recovery from emergencies across New York!
• Just one person can make a difference. We learned this lesson from Terry Jenik, Red Cross volunteer and recipient Certificate of Merit for her heroic actions that saved a life.
• This #nationalvolunteerweek, Service to the Armed Forces Director Gregg Porter recognized volunteer Robert Bernstein with a challenge coin for his impact in supporting military members, veterans and their families across the Greater NY Region.
• We published a new blog post “3 Questions with volunteer John Angulat” who joined the Red Cross in 2018 and is an active member of the Disaster Action Team.
• Last Tuesday, Council member Carmen De La Rosa stopped by our office to record a PSA supporting the “Sound the Alarm” fire safety campaign.
• Lohud.com and News 12 reported on the Metro NY North Red Cross Chapter responding to a multi-family fire in White Plains (Westchester County) by setting up a reception center for the 8 households displaced.
• We celebrated volunteers at our Chapter Office #NationalVolunteerWeek!

Upcoming Events and Activities

• April 29: The American Red Cross Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Military honorees, national and local heroes, and our corporate honoree will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.
• May 6: Sound the Alarm is coming to New Rochelle! Sign up for free smoke alarm installations here.

“Three Questions” with Red Cross Volunteer John Angulat

By Erianne Lewis, 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.

Born and raised on Long Island and now a resident of Westchester County, volunteer John Angulat joined the Red Cross in 2018. After retiring six months ago, Angulat now thoroughly enjoys almost a fulltime volunteer role. Angulat is a Disaster Action Team (DAT) team member, which means that he provides relief and compassion to residents after local disasters.

What led you to join the Red Cross?

There was a desire to volunteer. But I think, without sounding too altruistic, it was self-reflection. I somewhat realized that I had a pretty good life. I didn't grow up wealthy: working class mother and father. When I think of the state of the world, and what people go through, in the grand scheme of things I didn't do too badly. And it was just a desire to just pay a little back. I just started feeling guilty about not being engaged. I just didn't want to take life for a ride anymore. So, I said: “Well, I'm gonna volunteer.” I didn't actually start out with the Red Cross. There's a website that's called Volunteer New York, and it's a listing of all the volunteer opportunities that are available in the area…it's almost like a help wanted listing. I was doing one-off volunteer opportunities, sometimes with photography, sometimes something else. And then one day I saw an advertisement that Red Cross was looking for Disaster Action Team responders, and it was in my area. So, I said to myself, “I'll try it,” and never looked back.

What is a moment you will never forget from your time with the Red Cross?

Me and a partner had responded to a what we call a multi-family fire. A number of people were profoundly affected by the fire. We were just trying to be as nice as we could to the people, and as kind as possible. One of the worst things you can go through, other than losing loved one, is losing your home. We were working with them for quite some time, just trying to get them calmed down. When all was all said and done, we packed everything up. As I walked down from the porch to the sidewalk, there were crowds of people. And as I was walking to my car, somebody started clapping and then everyone else was clapping and I knew that they were clapping for us. I’m still moved by it. It kind of hammered home what you're doing for these people. In the long term they've still got a long process to go through. But at least you've gotten them through the next few days and pointed them in the right direction. It was touching, it really was. I don't think I’ll ever forget that.

What would you say to encourage someone to become a Red Cross volunteer?

Try it. You have nothing to lose. You are a volunteer. There’s a whole different mindset when you are doing volunteer work, rather than when you are being paid by someone. Just a different mindset, a different approach. What could go wrong? You try, you don’t like it, you just say “Hey it’s not for me.” But at least you can say, “I tried it.” That’s what I would tell anyone. Try it and I think you’ll like it. I really do.

In Case You Missed It

Sound the Alarm kicked-off in Hempstead, Long Island. (Photo: Glenn Alcott)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 183 adults and 59 children following 58 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, the Metro NY North Mass Care & Logistics team maintained disaster readiness by holding an in-person shelter simulation.
• Thank you to Hello Taiwan and all of the participating partners and sponsors for your generosity in raising $60,000 to support the Red Cross mission!
• As part of our #SpringIntoAction volunteer recruitment campaign, we debuted this video featuring Disaster Action Team member Greg Dinkel.
• Last Wednesday, the kick-off Sound the Alarm event was held on Long Island where 401 smoke alarms were installed in 75 homes by Home Fire Teams! More photos can be viewed here.
• Last Tuesday, American Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern stopped by our chapter HQ in New York City and held a townhall where she talked about the many facets, challenges and opportunities of the organization.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• April 20: Spring into Action! Join Us at our Volunteer Information Session to learn about how you can make a difference!
• April 29: The American Red Cross Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Military honorees, national and local heroes, and our corporate honoree will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.
• May 6: Sound the Alarm is coming to New Rochelle! Sign up for free smoke alarm installations here.

In Case You Missed It

Bowen is one of more than 1750 trained disaster workers from across the
country who have deployed to help people affected by atmospheric rivers.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 114 adults and 35 children following 35 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last Saturday, we held a blood drive at the New York International Auto Show and taught CPR to show attendees!
• Laura Olson and Mary Barneby explored their careers, humanitarian service and more as part of Thursday night’s panel discussion, Red Cross Journeys: Women Leaders and Humanitarians.
• Local volunteer Bowen is in California driving a forklift as part of the logistics team to support the Red Cross response to the severe weather that has plagued the Golden State since December.
• Last Thursday, the Preparedness Team had a full and fun day of fire safety training and lots of BBQ at FDNY training academy in Fort Totten.
• Local leaders joined the American Red Cross Metro NY North Board of Directors.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• April 12: Sound the Alarm is coming to Hempstead, Long Island! Sign up for free smoke alarm installations here.
• April 20: #SpringintoAction! Join Us at our Volunteer Information Session to learn about how you can make a difference!
• April 29: The American Red Cross Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Military honorees, national and local heroes, and our corporate honoree will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.
• May 6: Sound the Alarm is coming to New Rochelle! Sign up for free smoke alarm installations here.

In Case You Missed It

Home Fire Volunteers spent Sunday going door to door in Yonkers to provide free smoke alarm installs and fire safety education to residents.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 153 adults and 44 children following 55 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Home Fire Volunteers spent Sunday going door to door in the neighborhoods around Bronx River Road to provide free smoke alarm installs and fire safety education to residents.
• Last Saturday Morning, our team was out canvassing for our upcoming Sound the Alarm day in New Rochelle on May 6th. Need a smoke alarm or want to join the team? Visit www.soundthealarm.org/mnyn today!
• To close out Women’s History Month, we shared profiles of Metro NY North Chapter CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley and long-time volunteer Dottie Brier.
• We posted a “3-Questions with” on our blog about volunteer Ed Mechmann who supports his neighbors after local disasters in Westchester County.
• Last Wednesday, Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone welcomed our team to celebrate #RedCrossMonth!
• We shared more photographs from volunteer photographer extraordinaire Kevin Suttlehan from West Point Blood Drive in March.
• Councilwoman Latoya Joyner helped us “Sound the Alarm” about home fires with this PSA.
• Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez co-hosted a Pillowcase Project presentation last week to help prepare children in her district for emergencies.
• Local volunteer Vivian Moy gave us an update from California after being deployed there for the historic flooding response.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• April 8: Visit Red Cross Blood Drive at NY Auto Show. Use promotional code "redcross1233" to discounted tickets to the New York International Auto Show. Also schedule to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org while you're there! Use sponsor code: NYAuto (All donors MUST purchase a ticket to enter the Auto Show in order to donate)
• April 12: Sound the Alarm is coming to Hempstead, Long Island! Sign up for free smoke alarm installations here.
• April 29: The American Red Cross Red & White Ball: A Salute to Service and Valor honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Military honorees, national and local heroes, and our corporate honoree will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.