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.