Tuesday, June 6, 2023

In Case You Missed It June 6th

Long Island Red Cross and partners at this year's Hurricane Preparedness Press Conference.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 134 adults and 55 children following 40 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Activities

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross Volunteers and Pet Therapy dogs at the Intrepid to welcome services members for Fleet Week.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 99 adults and 32 children following 42 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events and Activities

Monday, May 22, 2023

In Case You Missed It


Sound the Alarm in Manhattan (Photos: Eric Strausman)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 145 adults and 54 children following 42 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events and Activities


Tuesday, May 16, 2023

In Case You Missed It


Meet Mayhem the pet therapy dog and Metro NY North Red Cross Volunteer!

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 170 adults and 58 children following 60 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Activities

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

In Case You Missed It

Greater NY Automobile Dealers Association, Pam Farr (center) and 
General Eric M. Smith (right) were honored at the Red and White Ball.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 274 adults and 73 children following 46 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events and Activities

Monday, April 24, 2023

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
Upcoming Events and Activities

Thursday, April 20, 2023

“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.