In Case You Missed It - Nov 16

Red Cross volunteers leaving Yankee Stadium to install smoke alarms in Highbridge Community. (Photo: Matt LaMonica)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 71 adults and 12 children following 39 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

GNY Red Cross CEO, Josh Lockwood, discusses today's Home Fire Preparedness smoke alarms installations in the Bronx.
Posted by American Red Cross in Greater New York on Saturday, November 14, 2015

• Our hearts go out to the victims, families and communities in France and Beirut from the terrorist attacks. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues from the French and Lebanese Red Cross who are responding to these tragedies.
• Last Saturday, the #GetAlarmedNYC program received an assist from the NY Yankees and Council Member Vanessa Gibson by allowing the Red Cross to use the iconic Yankee stadium as the staging ground for nearly 200 volunteers to fan out across the neighboring community of Highbridge to install free lifesaving smoke alarms in at-risk homes.
• Metro NY North Volunteers were also in the neighborhood of Byram installing smoke alarms.
• On Friday, 20+ techies from JPMorgan Chase partnered with the Red Cross to map some of the most vulnerable cities in the world through the Missing Maps Project.
• Also on Friday, Red Cross was at the scene of a severe brush fire in Staten Island providing support and water to firefighters.
• On Thursday, the Red Cross was teaching students emergency preparedness via the Pillowcase Project at the Michael F. Stokes Elementary School in Levittown (Long Island).
• On Veterans Day, the Red Cross marched in the 2015 America’s Parade to honor the service of our veterans.
• Metro NY North Board Member Colleen Hempleman attended a breakfast at the White House as a guest of President Obama to honor our veterans,
• We also caught up with Greater NY Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Director Akinori Tsuchida to discuss our SAF programs in the region and Veterans Day.
• On Monday, the Red Cross met with Assembly Member Aravella Simotas (Queens) who expressed her continued appreciation for the Red Cross and its volunteers for assisting her district during a discussion to support for the Red Cross in the state’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2016-2017 budget.
• Also on the day, News 12 joined the Red Cross as we visited the home of Aya Saotome in the Bronx to install free smoke/carbon monoxide detectors and to promote upcoming installation events. To learn more about how you can get a smoke alarm installed in your home, visit www.redcross.org/getalarmednyc.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities 

• Starting today, be on the lookout for the above Red Cross holiday PSA. Special thanks to our Board Chair John Osborne and BBDO for producing the TV spot.
• Win a Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit by taking the online emergency preparedness training. You’ll be automatically entered to win. This contest is open to residents of New York City, Long Island, Orange, Sullivan, Rockland, Putnam and Westchester Counties. Four winners will be chosen each month (notified via email).
• Nov 16, 20: Red Cross blood drives; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Nov 22: The Red Cross “Restoring Family Links” program and many other city agencies will be on hand at the Family Resource Day taking place at P.S. 61, 88-50, 50th ave, Corona, N.Y., to provide many services for immigrant families.
• Dec 3-6: For Long Islanders, we invite you to join us for the 20th Anniversary of Champions for Charity!
• Dec 5: The Red Cross, Mayor, and the FDNY Foundation announced our #GetAlarmedNYC Home Fire Campaign. Our campaign needs volunteer support to staff Daily Installation Teams every week as well as an exciting Mega Event in Jackson Heights, on December 5th. Sign up for a Home Fire Campaign shift today (link for Red Cross Volunteers).