In Case You Missed It

The #LIRedCross supporting the Wounded Warrior Project at the annual Babylon Soldier Ride.

From July 15-21, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 157 adults and 55 children following 43 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 mayor of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Fire Department joined the Red Cross to canvas the neighborhood and offer to install free smoke alarms and give fire safety tips after a recent fire in the area.
• Last Saturday, our #LIRedCross team members helped support the Wounded Warrior Project at the annual Babylon Soldier Ride.
• Last Thursday, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton joined some of our volunteers to help install fire alarms on Staten Island.
• The River Journal shared that the Red Cross supported 22 People after two emergencies in Westchester County between July 8 and 15.
• VIDEO: We shared some safety tips on how you can beat the heat and stay safe this summer.
• Metro NY North Chapter CEO Stephanie Dunn Ashley shares summer safety tips in her latest column for the Greenwich Sentinel.
• Last Tuesday, CBS2, ABC7, 1010 WINS and NY1 reported that the Red Cross helped 3 families after a fire on Evergreen Avenue in Brooklyn.
• News12 Brooklyn also reported that the Red Cross helped 2 families after a fire on Flatbush Avenue and shared good news about a litter of puppies also impacted by the fire.
• Last Monday, the Norwood News reported that the Red Cross registered two households for emergency assistance after a fire on Creston Avenue in the Bronx.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Take the driver’s seat this summer! The Red Cross needs you to volunteer! Get started today as an Emergency Response Vehicle driver on our Mass Care team. #SummertimeWellSpent
• Jul 30 - Aug 3: NY State Senator Bill Weber is sponsoring the Rockland Blood Drive Challenge in partnership with the American Red Cross, where five towns compete to see who can collect the most blood donations.
• Aug 1: Greenwich Battle of the Clubs Blood Drive. Donate blood to save a life. Click here to schedule an appointment.

In Case You Missed It

Long Island Disaster Team gathered for a fun summer day.

From July 8-14, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 119 adults and 36 children following 38 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

  

Last Week in Review

• We announced Doreen Thomann-Howe as the new Regional CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater New York
• We are so grateful for partners like Tzu Chi who helped make 41 homes safer this weekend by installing 74 smoke alarms in New York City.
• Last Sunday, a group of our dedicated Long Island Disaster Team gathered for a fun summer day.
• 10 team members from our region have been deployed to Texas to help support the ongoing responses to #HurricaneBeryl
• VIDEO: Matthew Merek described his experience in photos moments after the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
• Cadet Joshua Day shared why he thinks it’s important to donate blood at a recent West Point blood drive.
Last Wednesday, New York State Assembly Speaker, Carl E Heastie sponsored a blood drive with Red Cross.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Take the driver’s seat this summer! The Red Cross needs you to volunteer! Get started today as an Emergency Response Vehicle driver on our Mass Care team. #SummertimeWellSpent
• You may enjoy watching heroes in action on screen but plot twist: Blood donors like you help save lives every day. Come give blood in July & get a Fandango Movie Ticket by email to see TWISTERS + a chance at a Ram Big Horn. Book now
• July 18: The Young Professionals Committee of the Metro NY North Red Cross is holding a Drinks and Discussions event at the office of Fairfield Integrated Systems in Riverside, CT. RSVP with vanessa.broskie@redcross.org.

In Case You Missed It

Prepare the Town: Brownsville (Photo: Brett Whysel)

From July 1-7, the Red Cross in Greater New York has provided emergency assistance to 216 adults and 76 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

• VIDEO: Disaster teams from our region are activating for Hurricane Beryl’s landfall in Texas, including Bruce and Bob, who drove an Emergency Response Vehicle to Texas from Long Island.
• The Red Cross and partners, including NYCHA, CAMBA, NYCEM, FDNY, NYPD, and others taught preparedness to the community at the Van Dyke Community Center in Brownsville last Saturday as part of the “Prepare the Town” program.
• Our YouTube channel crossed 1k subs!
• Meet Joanne Saunders, who began volunteering with the Red Cross and donating blood to honor her late husband after he passed away from leukemia.
• While we encouraged everyone in GNY to be safe during July 4th weekend celebrations, some Red Crossers like Viv were deployed to help during recent wildfires and flooding in New Mexico.
• Last Thursday, the Norwood News reported the Red Cross is assisting four families after a fire on East 226th Street in the Bronx.
• We posted this video reel featuring news coverage of Red Crossers helping residents after an e-bike fire in Brooklyn at the end of June.
• Throughout the summer, #LIRedCross volunteer Celia Vollmer visits libraries throughout Suffolk County to teach American Red Cross safety programs to children.
• Last Monday, the Norwood News also reported the Red Cross is assisting four families after a fire on Bainbridge Ave in the Bronx.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Take the driver’s seat this summer! The Red Cross needs you to volunteer! Get started today as an Emergency Response Vehicle driver on our Mass Care team. #SummertimeWellSpent
• In celebration of the theatrical release of Universal Pictures’ summer blockbuster TWISTERS, be a force of nature for patients in need by giving blood. Come to give July 1-14 for a one-of-a-kind TWISTERS and Red Cross umbrella, while they last! Book now
• July 18: The Young Professionals Committee of the Metro NY North Red Cross is holding a Drinks and Discussions event at the office of Fairfield Integrated Systems in Riverside, CT. RSVP with vanessa.broskie@redcross.org.

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross assisted families after fires in Brooklyn, Bronx and Washington Heights.

From June 24-30, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 273 adults and 61 children following 34 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• A summer storm cancelled much of the NYC Pride March, but we are so grateful for everyone who showed up to celebrate the importance of inclusion and representation.
• Last Thursday, CBS2, NY1 and ABC7 reported on the Red Cross assisting families after an e-bike fire in Brooklyn.
• The Red Cross opened a service center at Dominican Women’s Development Center last Tuesday and Wednesday to assist the displaced residents from the fire on W 178th street the day before, covered by CBS2, NBC4, FOX5, ABC7, NY1, Univision, Telemundo and 1010 WINS.
• Also on Wednesday, ABC7 and News 12 reported on the Red Cross helping 14 families after a fire on College Ave in the Melrose section of the Bronx.
• Representative Anthony D’Esposito joined us to install smoke detectors as a part of our #SoundTheAlarm program.
• At our 2024 Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, Isabella opened the ceremony by reading her poem about volunteering and we recognized dozens of Red Crossers for their amazing work on behalf of our communities.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• July 1-3: 3-day blood drive in Hawthrone. To schedule an appointment please visit RedCrossBlood.org and use the sponsor code: ARC. Donate to win some Red Cross gifts!
• July 6: Join us to kick off Prepare the Town; We will have FREE giveaways and can take trainings such as: Be Red Cross Ready, Hands-Only CPR, prepare with Pedro (for ages 5-7), and Ready New York (led by NYC Emergency Management).

In Case You Missed It

Volunteers from throughout the Greater New York region celebrate at the 2024 Volunteer Recognition Event.

Between June 17 and 24, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 182 adults and 49 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

• Last Wednesday, on #WorldSickleCellDay2024, we #ShinetheLight on how your blood donations have made a monumental difference in the lives of Sickle Cell Warriors like Ashley Flowers and her family.
• Last Wednesday, the Red Cross had provided clean-up kits and financial assistance to residents following a fire on E 213th St in the Bronx
• The first tropical storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been named — #Alberto. Weather experts predict that this hurricane season will bring an above-average number of named storms, as sea surface temperatures remain higher than usual.
• Last Saturday, The Red Cross has provided residents with emergency housing and financial assistance following a fire on 14th St in Brooklyn.
• The #LIRedCross has provided financial assistance to residents following a fire on N Wading River Rd, in Wading River (#SuffolkCounty).
• The Red Cross participated in the Elmhurst Health & Hospital fair on Saturday to share important preparedness information with attendees and had a great time meeting the #NYC Health + Hospitals staff.
• On Thursday, we awarded Katharine Ristich with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit after she used her Red Cross training to help save the life of her father when he was choking. #Lifesavingaward
• This past Sunday we celebrated our volunteers at the regionwide 2024 Volunteer Recognition event! Congratulations to all our honorees.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• July 6: At 11am-3pm: Prepare the Town: Brownsville at the Van Dyke Community Center, to help prepare you for emergencies.

In Case You Missed It

Former GNY Red Crossers Hector Pereira and Mitch Kassel responding to flooding in Florida.

From June 10-16, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 113 adults and 40 children following 32 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Check out some safety tips from the Red Cross in the NY Post on how you can stay safe from the heat as temperatures are expected to rise above 100 this week.
• Our Service to the Armed Forces Pet Therapy Team were at the Newburgh Armory supporting veterans on National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
• Two former GNY Red Crossers Hector Pereira and Mitch Kassel (now with the South Florida Region) responded to the floodings in Florida.
• For Father’s Day, we shared this video about long-time Red Cross volunteer Mike Emmerman with a special message from his son, TJ who is currently a Brooklyn DAT responder.
• #LIRedCross had a table at the NAACP Juneteenth Celebration in Islip.
• The Long Island Disaster Action Team responded to a fire in Hempstead on Saturday, helping 18 people, and were covered by Newsday, News12 Long Island, and Patch.
• The #MetroNYNRedCross opened a shelter at the Police Athletic League in Yonkers for two nights to assist residents after a fire on Saratoga Avenue on Thursday, covered here by News12 Westchester.
• At our Metro NY North Chapter Board meeting last Tuesday, we heard an inspiring story from Greenwich Police Sgt. Jason Lyman, who used his CPR training to save a life in Old Greenwich.
• Phoebe Baluyot shared what her AmeriCorps experience was like and why she chose to work with the Red Cross.
• The national American Red Cross social media channels reshared our story of Craig and Jose donating blood together for the first time as a married gay couple, highlighting the more inclusive FDA regulations about blood donation. #PrideMonth

Upcoming Events and Activities

• June 20: The 6th “We Were There” panel discussion (Zoom registration) will focus on our GNY members who have expertise in working with families and children across multiple lines of service.
• June 23: Join us for our FY24 Volunteer Awards Ceremony (registered volunteers only) as we recognize the outstanding contributions of our dedicated volunteers. We look forward to seeing you all there to share some Lunch and some quality time!
• June 24: Join the SI COAD for the Spring 2024 Tabletop Exercise, hosted in collaboration with the American Red Cross of Greater New York. This engaging, discussion-based event offers a valuable opportunity to collaborate with a range of local organizations and stakeholders and explore various role(s) during a disaster scenario.

In Case You Missed It

Long Island Hurricane Preparedness Press Conference.

From June 3-9, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 167 adults and 32 children following 53 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past 2 weeks and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday, the GNY Logistics Team was setting up and preparing for the 2024 Safety Town program in Greenwich, CT.
• Join us in congratulating our newest Lifesaving Award Honoree: Katharine Ristich, who saved the life of her choking father.
• Read about how Scott Piper went from the Navy to becoming a Disaster Program Manager with the GNY Red Cross.
• VIDEO: Jose and Craig, partners and Red Crossers, were able to donate blood together for the first time since the historic change of FDA policy on donor eligibility. #pridemonth
• The #LIRedCross joined many partners to hold a special press conference to advise everyone to get ready for the upcoming hurricane season, with coverage in the LI Herald and NBC 4.
• VIDEO: Bowen Yu has been deployed to Hawaii since August of last year, supporting the wildfire relief operations and just recently returned home to Long Island! #AAPIHeritageMonth
• Regional Volunteer Services Officer, Andrea Grimaldi-Grafer unearthed this amazing childhood report on the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton!

Upcoming Events and Activities

• June 13 Deadline: The American Red Cross of Greater New York is looking for 2 NYC Civic Corps members to commit to 10 months of service from September 2024 to June 2025 with the Volunteer Services Department. Frank shared his experience as an AmeriCorps member with GNY Red Cross. Go to www.nycservice.org/nyc_civic_corps for application and benefits information.
• June 20: The 6th “We Were There” panel discussion (Zoom registration) will focus on our GNY members who have expertise in working with families and children across multiple lines of service.
• June 23: Join us for our FY24 Volunteer Awards Ceremony (registered volunteers only) as we recognize the outstanding contributions of our dedicated volunteers. We look forward to seeing you all there to share some Lunch and some quality time!