In Case You Missed It

Red Cross Home Fire teams installing free smoke alarms in Queens over the weekend.

From Dec 9-15, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 192 adults and 45 children following 73 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• News 12 reported on the #MetroNYNRedCross working with Yonkers OEM to open a shelter for residents displaced by the fire on Maple St in Yonkers. Hot meals and 29 overnight stays were provided throughout Saturday and Sunday nights.
• The cold weather did not stop our dedicated volunteers from working to #EndHomeFires in Elmhurst, Queens on Saturday!
• American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter spent the day and night on Friday writing almost 900 holiday cards to say thank you to local first responders and veterans at the Montrose VA.
• After a fire in Brooklyn on Thursday, PIX11 shared that the Red Cross responded to offer help to impacted residents.
• This year's Battle of the Badges Blood Drive held on Dec 7 in Greenwich was an incredible competition between our brave police, fire, EMS, and — for the first time — dispatchers!
• We shared the inspiring story of Clive Dawkins, a former Red Cross preparedness volunteer who found himself needing help himself after a home fire.
• Earlier this month, we held our latest 'We Were There' discussion series on the experiences of some of our workforce who have deployed to Disaster Relief Operations.
• As the holidays draw near, we start to look back on 2024 and reflect on the moments that capture the humanitarian spirit of the Red Cross.
• FDNY DART presented Kathie Cayton with an award of appreciation.
• After being together for 24 years (and counting), Craig and Jose were able to donate blood together for the first time thanks to more inclusive FDA guidelines on blood donation.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Every day the Red Cross of Greater New York responds to 8 -10 disasters across the boroughs. If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference, join our Volunteer Disaster Response or Home Fire Campaign teams.
• We are looking for volunteers in the following roles: 
• Mass Care Team Member, 
• Emergency Response Vehicle Driver (NYC)
• Disaster Action Team Specialist (NYC) OVERNIGHT SHIFTS PRIORITY
• Disaster Health Services Team Member (NYC) Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Mental Health Team Member - Licensed Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Services: Spiritual Care Volunteer - Certified Professionals Only
• Video Editor
• VHS Historical Video Digitizer (NYC)

In Case You Missed It

Garden Club of Lawrence decorate holiday wreaths for local
veteran's facilities and senior centers. (Photo: Eric Strausman)

From Dec 2-8, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 232 adults and 58 children following 49 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last night, PIX11 reported on the Red Cross helping families after a fire on Broadway in the Inwood section of Manhattan.
• This weekend, Long Island board member Alexis Morledge and the Garden Club of Lawrence decorated 35 beautiful wreaths to distribute at local veterans' facilities and senior centers.
• Last Friday, ABC7, News 12 and LoHud reported on the Red Cross assisting multiple residents after two large fires in Mount Vernon mere hours apart.
• The Riverdale Press published an article about practicing fire safety during peak season.
• Metro NY North CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley’s latest Greenwich Sentinel column focuses on the spirit of giving back during the holidays.
• Last Wednesday, the Red Cross assisted 6 residents after a fire on Hope Lane on Staten Island.
• We shared a video highlighting how the Red Cross helped families after a fire in Inwood (Manhattan) just days before Thanksgiving.
• Last Monday, Gothamist, 1010WINS, PIX11, NY1 and CBS2 reported on the Red Cross helping displaced residents after a fire on East 82nd Street in Manhattan.
• News12 and the Daily Voice also reported on the Red Cross assisting 8 families after a fire on Downing Street in Yonkers.
• We visited Times Square twice in one day to celebrate the ‘Light The World’ Giving Machine Unwrapping Events in New York City.
• As the holidays draw near, we start to look back on 2024 and reflect on the moments that capture the humanitarian spirit of the Red Cross.
• Making the Chinatown community safer around Lunar New Year.
• Opening a reception center in Harlem after a major fire.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are looking for volunteers in the following roles: 
• Mass Care Team Member, Emergency Response Vehicle Driver (NYC)
• Disaster Action Team Specialist (NYC) OVERNIGHT SHIFTS PRIORITY
• Disaster Health Services Team Member (NYC) Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Mental Health Team Member - Licensed Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Services: Spiritual Care Volunteer - Certified Professionals Only
• Video Editor
• VHS Historical Video Digitizer (NYC)

In Case You Missed It

Supporting veterans at the Nassau County Stand Down in Freeport, NY. (Photo: Rick Gunter)

From Nov 25 - Dec 1, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 162 adults and 53 children following 43 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Ahead of Thanksgiving Day celebrations, we reminded our neighbors to stay safe while traveling and cooking.
• Early last week, our Services to the Armed Forces team didn't let rainy weather stop them from supporting over 500 veterans at the Nassau County Stand Down in Freeport, NY.
• Senator Roxanne Persaud is helping to “Sound the Alarm” about home fires with this safety PSA.
• We are so thankful to the students and community of the Archer Street School in Freeport, NY for raising $2400 to support the Red Cross!
• VIDEO: We featured Elias Higgs, a disaster response manager for the Red Cross in New York City, who recently deployed for his first time ever to a national deployment.
• Last Tuesday, CBS2 and ABC7 reported on the Red Cross assisting 3 families after a fire on West 204th Street in Inwood.
• News 12 also reported on another fire on New Jersey Ave in Brooklyn, where the Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 3 families.
• As the holidays draw near, we start to look back on 2024 and reflect on the moments that capture the humanitarian spirit of the Red Cross.
• Supporting families displaced after a fire at Holland Avenue in the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx.
• Red Cross preparedness volunteer Alex Poku and Pedro the Penguin taught children how to better prepare for emergencies.
• Our annual blood drive at West Point.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are looking for volunteers in the following roles: 
• Mass Care Team Member, Emergency Response Vehicle Driver (NYC)
• Disaster Action Team Specialist (NYC) OVERNIGHT SHIFTS PRIORITY
• Disaster Health Services Team Member (NYC) Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Mental Health Team Member - Licensed Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Services: Spiritual Care Volunteer - Certified Professionals Only
• Video Editor
• VHS Historical Video Digitizer (NYC)
• Dec 4-8: Our Greater New York Disaster Workforce Engagement team is holding Winter Training Weekend — register here.