In Case You Missed It

The #RedWhiteBall honored heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others.

From Apr. 22-28, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 201 adults and 57 children following 41 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last Saturday, our Service to the Armed Forces team helped out at the Kids Color Run at Ft. Hamilton in Brooklyn.
• At the #RedWhiteBall at the Riverside Yacht Club, we honored Suzanne Packer with the Humanitarian Award, Chief Jim Heavey with the Lifetime Service Award and Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland with the Exceptional Service Award.
• For National Volunteer Appreciation Week, meet some of our amazing volunteers with the Home Fire Campaign in our second episode of Rapidfire Questions!
• Read about the amazing members of the Bronx Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. who sponsor three blood drives a year to make sure blood is available for people in need.
• Also read more about the GNY Green Team, which are worker-led groups that identify, plan, and implement sustainability solutions to help reduce the ecological impact of the work of the Red Cross.
• Last week, #LIRedCross volunteer Celia Vollmer taught CPR training to teens at the West Islip Public Library.
• Last Tuesday, there were multiple fire responses across the GNY region:
• Red Cross opened a shelter at the Louis Kurtz Civic Center to assist residents after a fire on Ewing Ave. in Spring Valley, as seen in Patch and the Daily Voice.
• Working with the office of Councilmember Julie Won and city agencies, the Red Cross assisted 15 families after a fire on 63rd Street in Woodside, covered by QNS.com.
• Newsday and News12 covered the Red Cross helping residents after a fire in North Amityville on the south shore of Long Island.
• ABC7 covered the Red Cross helping residents impacted by a fire in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• May 1: Join us on Long Island to help install free smoke alarms in Mastic and surrounding communities for a Sound the Alarm event. Sign up here.
• May 2: Celebrate our amazing volunteers in New York City with a Volunteer Appreciation event at our GNY HQ, starting at 6pm. RSVP here.
• May 8: Join us in New York City to help install free smoke alarms for a Sound the Alarm event. Sign up here.
• May 16: Join us online to learn how you can make a difference in your community by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Discover the various opportunities available and how you can contribute to our mission of helping those in need.

In Case You Missed It

Alina and her team noticed a gas odor while installing free smoke alarms. (Photo: Lisa Weatherbee)

From Apr. 15-21, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 96 adults and 36 children following 34 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• For National Volunteer Week, the Metro New York North and Long Island Red Cross chapters held two volunteer appreciation events.
• We posted the story of what happened when a trio of Home Fire Campaign volunteers noticed a gas odor coming from the basement of the house where they were installing free smoke alarms.
• Newsday and the LI Herald shared articles covering the Sound the Alarm that took place on Long Beach earlier this month.
• LongIsland.com and Patch reported on the Red Cross assisting residents after a fire in Uniondale.
• April is #PetFirstAidMonth! Be prepared with these tips.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Apr 27: The Red & White Ball honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Our honorees will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.
• May 1: Join us on Long Island to help install free smoke alarms in Mastic and surrounding communities for a Sound the Alarm event. Sign up here.
• May 2: Celebrate our amazing volunteers in New York City with a Volunteer Appreciation event at our GNY HQ, starting at 6pm. RSVP here.
• May 8: Join us in New York City to help install free smoke alarms for a Sound the Alarm event. Sign up here.
• May 16: Join us online to learn how you can make a difference in your community by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Discover the various opportunities available and how you can contribute to our mission of helping those in need.

In Case You Missed It

Sound the Alarms comes to Long Beach to help make the community safer with free smoke alarms.
(Photo: Eric Strausman)

From Apr. 8-14, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 91 adults and 33 children following 35 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, the LI Herald and Newsday covered our Sound the Alarm home fire event to install free smoke alarms for residents of Long Beach.
• With the #RedWhiteBall just a couple of weeks away, Dr. Kim Nichols and Chris Cabanillas hosted a Patron Party to thank our supporters who are helping to make the event a success.
• The GNY team rolled up their sleeves last week for blood drives at Pace University and at our regional HQ on West 49th Street.
• Last Thursday, after a 2-alarm fire on Van Siclen Ave in Brooklyn, the Red Cross assisted a family with emergency housing and financial aid.
• Happy Dog Therapy Appreciation Day to our fabulous therapy dogs who bring joy and smiles to everyone they visit.
• After a fatal fire last Tuesday in the Bronx, the NY Daily News, PIX11, and News12 reported on the Red Cross assisting one family.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Disasters harm families. Volunteers are needed to help comfort and support people who are forced from their homes due to fires, storms, and other emergencies, so they don’t have to face tough times alone. Join the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team!
• Apr 20: American Red Cross and The Fairview Fire Department are delighted to partner up at the Greenburgh Library for Prepare with Pedro to teach children about emergency preparedness.
• Apr 27: Join us for a Night Under the Stars and Stripes! The Red & White Ball honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Our honorees will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.

In Case You Missed It

Preparedness Team joined the Greenwich Fire Department to teach 3-graders about fire safety.

From Apr. 1-7, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 110 adults and 28 children following 45 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Throughout last week, we held our annual Disaster Ready Summit to get out volunteers trained and ready (even through a rare earthquake).
• After the surprise earthquake last Friday, we shared these safety tips on what to do after.
• Last Thursday, the Greenwich Time reported on how two Hamilton Avenue School third-graders got to be Fire-Chief-for-a-day and take their class for a fun day with the Greenwich Fire Department! Our Preparedness Team also taught the class fire safety with Buddy the Pet Therapy Dog.
• We held the fifth installment of the We Were There panel series focusing on Crisis & Operations Management and explore how our leaders have utilized these concepts during some of the largest events across Greater New York region & nationally.
• We recognized an amazing long-time Red Cross volunteer Barbara Robey as part of our #ShareTheRed celebration with a Spotlight Hero award.
• Last Wednesday, Patch.com reported on the #LIRredCross assisting 4 families with financial assistance and comfort supplies after a fire on Cake Walk Terrace in Smithtown.
• Get to know some members of our Home Fire Campaign team with this fun viral rapid-fire questions video.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• What’s one goal you’d like to achieve this year? How about giving a few hours of your time to help people in your community by signing up to volunteer with us! Learn more on how to get started. #ResolveToVolunteer
• Apr 13: Volunteers will be installing free smoke alarms in Long Beach residents’ homes as part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.
• Apr 27: Join Us for a Night Under the Stars and Stripes! The Red & White Ball honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Our honorees will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.

In Case You Missed It

To commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, our Service to the Armed Forces volunteers participated in three events this week sponsored by the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.

From Mar. 25-31, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 156 adults and 52 children following 40 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• To commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, our Service to the Armed Forces volunteers participated in three events this past week sponsored by the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.
• For the final week of Women’s History Month, we featured more amazing “SHEORES” of the Red Cross: Anastasia Hannah, Julie Blanciak, Maritza Espinoza, and Liz Barker.
• THANK YOU for your support on Red Cross Giving Day that makes a difference for people affected by disasters, especially as the climate crisis continues to take a heavier toll on frontline communities.
• Our volunteer recruitment team of Glenn Kearney, Katherine Reilly, Mitchell Ostrover tabled at Nassau Community College last Tuesday.
• The River Journal covered the “Sound the Alarm” event in Peekskill on March 23.
• Throughout Red Cross Month, we played a “Who’s that Red Crosser?” game that ended with this post. The previous posts can be found here and here.
• NYC Emergency Management thanked the Red Cross team for taking the time to help train newer staff members on how we work together side by side.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• What’s one goal you’d like to achieve this year? How about giving a few hours of your time to help people in your community by signing up to volunteer with us! Learn more on how to get started. #ResolveToVolunteer
• Apr 2: The Paramount Hudson Valley and the Red Cross are teaming up together and holding a Blood Drive on April 2, 2024 from 11:30am – 4:30pm at the Paramount. To Schedule an appointment, please visit RedCrossBlood.org. Type in 10566, click Find a Drive, click Paramount Hudson Valley and schedule your time.
• Apr 4-7: Save the date for our Disaster Ready Summit, which will be held at our GNY HQ in Manhattan and will feature courses such as Civilian Critical Casualty Care, Naloxone, We Were There, and Active Shooter Training. Contact GNY.DWE@redcross.org with questions.
• Apr 27: Join Us for a Night Under the Stars and Stripes! The Red & White Ball honors heroes in our community who rise above tremendous obstacles to help others. Our honorees will share stories that highlight the strength, courage and humanity that is found within each of us.