Saturday, March 31, 2018

VOLUNTEER PROFILE: Dottie Brier, A Red Cross Institution

Dottie Brier has volunteered with the Red Cross since 1992.
by Stan Frank

Dottie Brier earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Smith College and went on to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Her focus has always been on mental health counseling and helping clients understand, resolve and heal from traumas they had experienced.

In 1992, Dottie retired as a social worker at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital and joined the Red Cross as part of a national mental health team that was then being assembled. Within a week, she was sent to Florida by the Red Cross to help families impacted by Hurricane Andrew, which destroyed more than 63,000 homes and left more than 175,000 people homeless.

During her career, Dottie has been called on to respond to every conceivable type of disaster. She worked at six tragic aviation incidents including TWA Flight 800 in 1996 which crashed near Kennedy Airport killing 230 people; Egypt Air Flight 990 in 1999, which crashed off the Massachusetts coast killing 217 passengers and crew; and the September 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001, which destroyed the World Trade Center and killed nearly 3000 people.

All of these terrible disasters caused untold trauma to those affected, but the most famous aviation incident Dottie was involved in is Flight 1059, known as the Miracle on the Hudson, when Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed his damaged plane on the Hudson River in 2009 and all 155 passengers and crew survived.

In the resulting movie, Sully, which was directed by Clint Eastwood and featured Tom Hanks as Captain Sullenbgerger, Dottie played herself and reenacted the duties of a Red Cross volunteer. Said Dottie, “First things first. ‘Be where the client is.’ ‘Mazlow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ are things we learn early in our social work training. They are well exemplified in the movie by our meeting the immediate needs of the cold, frightened, bewildered passengers as soon as they arrived on land. Physically they needed the warmth of the [Red Cross] blankets and emotionally the calm, compassionate presence of a human being, respecting their dignity by walking them through the mobs of people. Appropriate nonverbal behavior was essential and well done in the movie.”

Commenting on the confluence of March being both Social Work Month and Red Cross Month, Dottie noted:

“The Social Work professional and Red Cross go hand in hand. Our values, especially humanitarianism and the worth of and respect for every human being are the basis of each. I personally am devoted to both and love what I have been doing as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer for over 25 years”.

Thank you Dottie for all you have done and continue to do for the Red Cross! #RedCrossMonth

Monday, March 26, 2018

In Case You Missed It - March 26


Representative Daniel M. Donovan came out to help us install free smoke alarms for residents in Staten Island.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 265 adults and 87 children following 52 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Opportunities
  • March 26, 27, 30, 31: Red Cross blood drives will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Greater NY Red Cross building located at 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • March 28: Red Cross Giving Day is this Wednesday and volunteers are being organized to attend “storm the Today Show Plaza” to help cheer on and spread the message of the Red Cross.
  • March 29: If you couldn’t get tickets to see Harry Style’s sold-out tour, you’re in luck. If you donate to the American Red Cross disaster relief before March 29th, you enter for a chance to see Harry Styles on tour in New York.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Red Cross Month Volunteer Profile: Hortensia ("Rok") Anderson

by Stan Frank


For over 60 years, the President of the United States has designated March as American Red Cross Month. It is a month when we celebrate our volunteers and supporters who make the mission of the Red Cross a reality.

This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate the volunteers who raised their hands in 2017 to support an unprecedented year of disasters across the country and around the world. From natural catastrophes including hurricanes and floods to devastating wildfires and a tragic mass shooting, the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross deployed more than 300 volunteers to deliver hope and help during a remarkable time.

We asked several volunteers to share some of their deployment experiences. Today we hear from "Rok" Anderson.


What first motivated you to become a Red Cross volunteer?

I’ve always wanted to raise awareness by educating communities on preparedness and assisting communities by showing empathy for the survivors of any devastation that occurred in NYC.

 (l -r) Zoe Anderson, Jody Oldham, and Hortensia 

How many times have you been deployed, and where?

I was deployed three times, once to Dallas, Texas; once to Santa Rosa, California; and once to the District 1 Headquarters in California. I am presently deployed in Louisville, Kentucky.

What was your most memorable deployment this past year?

My most memorable deployment was to Dallas in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. In Dallas I worked closely with the late Rosemary Mote, the Regional Disaster Officer for North Texas, on logistical needs. My mission was to assist the Logistics Team with pushing out resources and material in a timely fashion after Hurricane Harvey.

Every day I helped to procure supplies and equipment for the Dallas community. I made sure that requisitions for needed supplies from our warehouse were filled completely and correctly. I input the information in the Transportation Toolkit. I also learned how to open and close facilities according to Red Cross procedures.


Thank you Hortensia for sharing your experience and for deploying to deliver the mission of the American Red Cross. We are grateful for your service. #RedCrossMonth

Friday, March 23, 2018

Supporting our Red Cross Colleagues in Massachusetts

by Beatrice Velline, America Red Cross in Greater NY



Over the past few weeks a series of Nor’Easters have hit the East Coast, slamming New England the hardest. To bolster the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Massachusetts, several volunteers from our Greater New York chapters traveled to the area and offered their services.  

The storms flooded coastal regions and left many across the area without shelter or power for an extended period of time. The Massachusetts Red Cross led efforts to open shelters, and sent out teams to deliver clean-up kits, food, supplies and support to those effected. 

Among those lending a hand in New England was Vivian Moy, a volunteer from Long Island. Vivian deployed to Massachusetts for one week after answering an emergency request for shelter team members.

Vivian recently shared a few words about her work at a shelter in Cape Cod and about her efforts behind the scenes working at the operation’s headquarters in Medford, not too far from Boston.


“I was surprised that the majority of shelter residents were elderly, so they needed a lot of attention. I would wake at 6:00 am and not lay my head back down until 10:00 or 11:00pm. The days were long but so worthwhile. I would sit with them and listen to their experience with the storm and their family stories…I’m always amazed at all the coordination that happens behind the scenes as we carry out our mission wherever a disaster occurs! It seemed like every time we turned around there were more power outages and hence more shelters needing to be opened and more people needing to be fed.”

To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in Massachusetts  visit, www.redcross.org/ma.

Red Cross Month Volunteer Profile: Ioana Opris

by Stan Frank

For over 60 years, the President of the United States has designated March as American Red Cross Month. It is a month when we celebrate our volunteers and supporters who make the mission of the Red Cross a reality.

This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate the volunteers who raised their hands in 2017 to support an unprecedented year of disasters across the country and around the world. From natural catastrophes including hurricanes and floods to devastating wildfires and a tragic mass shooting, the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross deployed more than 300 volunteers to deliver hope and help during a remarkable time.

We asked several volunteers to share some of their deployment experiences. Today we hear from Ioana Opris.

What first motivated you to become a Red Cross volunteer?
    I was first motivated to become a volunteer because I wanted to learn more about immediate disaster relief and develop skills in emergency management. For over three years, I have worked with refugees post-resettlement and individuals who have been granted asylum in the United States. Providing assistance to individuals who have been affected by disaster, whether man-made or natural, is a priority for me. I have a strong commitment to volunteerism, and I believe that we should all make the time to support our communities by volunteering.

    In the Red Cross I found a community of dedicated individuals who I see, time and again, go above and beyond to meet the needs of clients. Whether it's 14-hour work days on a DRO [disaster relief operation] or working through weekends to prepare for an incoming storm, I am regularly inspired by my colleagues.


    Where were you deployed and what was your mission?


    The Information and Planning Team in Puerto Rico.
    Ioana is third from right in center row.
    I deployed for the first time to Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Maria caused widespread destruction across the island. I worked out of the Disaster Relief Operation Headquarters (DRO HQ) in San Juan and served in the role of Information Dissemination Lead, Information and Planning. 

    My role was to gather and analyze operationally relevant information from both internal and external sources and compile it into reports for internal dissemination. I produced the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and Situation Report (SitRep) daily.

    After returning from Puerto Rico, I remained on virtual assignment to the DRO for over two months. I continued to fill an information dissemination position and provided virtual support to the team by training new members, translating and condensing Spanish language media, and dropping points in RC View (Red Cross ArcGIS mapping). When needed, I prepared the full IAP and SitRep remotely.


    What did you do on a daily basis?
      With the exception of conducting damage assessments, almost all of Information and Planning's work is based out of Headquarters.

      Each day, I attended meetings with Operations Management. The Operational Leadership Meeting in the morning, where I updated the IAP to reflect incident priorities and objectives for the following operational period. The Tactics Meeting in the afternoon, where I supported the discussion of outstanding needs and fulfillment of supplies. And the Operational Briefing Meeting in the evening, where I reviewed the complete IAP with the DRO Director, Deputy RCCO and activity leads and made any final edits.

      The meetings provided a daily structure to my work. The elements that make up the IAP range from contact rosters and work assignments to infrastructure impact assessments, safety messages, and incident maps. I built relationships with activity leads to obtain internal updates as well as informational products from Red Cross partners and government agencies.

      Each day I read and selected information from various materials, including mainstream media, government sources, and FEMA reports. Most of the local news reporting in Puerto Rico is in Spanish, so translating became a vital part of my job both when I was deployed and later on virtual assignment.

      After the Incident Action Plan was finalized, I edited and compiled the updates received from other activities into Situation Reports to provide an overview of the day's activities.

      Although much of my work was done in front of a laptop, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to go out with the water filter distribution teams for a day. We visited communities that had been most impacted by the hurricane and still lacked access to safe drinking water. I was involved in planning for the initial push to distribute water filters (identifying target areas) and it was very rewarding to be a part of the project in action.

      Can you tell us what touched you most during your deployment?


      Ioana (center) with Clair (left) and Natalie (right)
      Working alongside Puerto Rican volunteers was the most touching aspect of my experience. I was moved by their profound strength, dedication and care for their communities. When I left Puerto Rico, official reports showed only 38% of the island with power restoration. Interruptions to water service were frequent, even in areas where water had been restored. Many of the people I worked with continued to face these difficulties all the while going out each day to support relief efforts and volunteer. I am thankful to have been a part of their Red Cross community and for the genuine openness and friendship they showed me when I was there. 


      Thank you Ioana for sharing your experience and for traveling to Puerto Rico to deliver the mission of the American Red Cross. We are grateful for your service! #RedCrossMonth


      Thursday, March 22, 2018

      Volunteer Opportunities Available to help Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.

      by Stan Frank

      #EndHomeFiresThis Spring, the American Red Cross will initiate the most ambitious national Home Fire Campaign ever held, Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.. Between April 28 and May 13, 2018, Red Cross volunteers and partners will install, free of charge, more than 100,000 smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods throughout the country.

      In addition to alarm installation, Red Cross volunteers will join with local fire departments and other partners to replace batteries in existing alarms, and provide families with fire prevention and safety education. Working smoke alarms in a home are known to cut the risk of death by half and having an escape plan further improves the odds of survival.

      In the Greater New York Region, Joe Spaccarelli, Program Director, and his Home Fire Preparedness Team including Ailid Ramos, are organizing volunteer recruitment for high risk neighborhoods in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Mount Vernon, and on Long Island.

      There are so many ways to get involved. From going door to door to canvassing neighborhoods to serving as a logistics volunteer to working with our information management team, there is a position available for whatever interests you.

      Here are some of the volunteer opportunities available with the Sound the Alarm campaign:

      • Volunteer Canvasser: Canvas neighborhoods to obtain requests for the installation of free smoke alarms
      • Volunteer Smoke Alarm Installer: Install smoke alarms and replace batteries as needed in homes and apartments
      • Volunteer Safety Educator: Deliver fire prevention information in high-risk neighborhoods and assist residents in completing home fire escape plans
      • Volunteer Documenter: Document resident information and the services provided
      • Volunteer Driver: Serve as a driver and transport volunteer teams to installation sites
      • Volunteer Operations: Operations volunteers will lead operational planning for installation event days.  Typical roles include Job Director, AD Ops, and Site Director.  Volunteers will be given mentoring and guidance in fulfilling these leadership positions.
      • Volunteer Logistics: Maintain program inventory; pick, pack and transport equipment, supplies and team members to installation sites
      • Volunteer Mass Care: Obtain and serve meals at events; setup and cleanup before and after events; coordinate with Logistics and monitor the inventory of mass care supplies and equipment, as needed
      • Volunteer Information Management: Using our web-based online system, keep track of the progress of our installation teams during events
      • Volunteer Call Center: Retrieve voicemails and resident requests for education and installation of smoke alarms; call residents to confirm or reschedule fire appointments
      • Volunteer Data Entry: Using Excel, enter data into online forms; ensure that clients receive timely installation appointments; track, analyze and report data accurately
      • Volunteer Mapping/Planning Appointments: Using online Geographic Information System (GIS), help plan the routes and map the confirmed appointments that field teams use to navigate through the five boroughs
      • Volunteer Training: Provide on-site training for Home Fire Educators, Documenters and/or Installers
      • Volunteer Staffing: Using phone calls and emails in the days leading up to events, ensure each event is staffed with an adequate number of volunteers

      Join us this fall to Sound the Alarm. Save a Life. and help #EndHomeFires. 

      New Volunteers: Visit SoundtheAlarm.org to sign up today!
      Existing Volunteers: Sign up on Volunteer Connection!
















      Wednesday, March 21, 2018

      Red Cross Month Volunteer Profile: Deepak Shenoy

      by Stan Frank 

      For over 60 years, the President of the United States has designated March as American Red Cross Month. It is a month when we celebrate our volunteers and supporters who make the mission of the Red Cross a reality.

      This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate the volunteers who raised their hands in 2017 to support an unprecedented year of disasters across the country and around the world. From natural catastrophes including hurricanes and floods to devastating wildfires and a tragic mass shooting, the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross deployed more than 300 volunteers to deliver hope and help during a remarkable time.

      We asked several volunteers to share some of their deployment experiences. Today we hear from Deepak Shenoy

      What first motivated you to become a Red Cross volunteer?
      Deepak (near right) and his team
      I became a Red Cross Volunteer around the time Hurricane Harvey and Irma were on the verge of hitting us. One of my good friends lives in Florida with her son and she messaged me the night before the Hurricane hit that she is sending me the text as a 'good bye' since she didn't know what  her state was going to be after the Hurricane. She didn’t know if she was even going to be alive. I read her message the next morning and that message made me feel extremely helpless. That’s when I decided that I had to do something to help. I signed up with the Red Cross that same afternoon.

      How many times have you been deployed, and where?

      My deployment to Sacramento, California for the wild fire there was my first and only deployment to date. It was very memorable and it was my first deployment. Houses had been burned to the ground, animals had been killed, people’s lives and livelihood were destroyed, and yet I came across people who despite all odds were smiling, living and treating each other like family and that is something I will never forget.

      What was your mission? What did you do on a daily basis?

      My mission was to help the people as much as possible and to make myself useful to the community I was deployed to serve. I was in a group of six Red Cross volunteers including Jamie, Khaled, and me (DES Team), and Skip and Sage (Emergency Response Vehicle Team). Every morning we would load up our box trucks with supplies and drive to Bangor and/or Luma Rica to hand out supplies to whomever needed help. At the end of the day we would drive back to the warehouse, load up the trucks again, and help out with whatever else the warehouse manager needed us to do.
      The team: Jamie, Sage, Skip, Mike, Khaled and Deepak.

      What obstacles did you face?

      The biggest obstacle we faced was living away from our families. However, the obstacles we faced were minuscule compared to the mountain of obstacles the locals faced from the fire and destruction! We would always return back to our respective homes and resume life from where we had left off but, unfortunately, for the people living there, that was their lives.

      Can you tell us what touched you the most during your deployment?

      The thing that touched me the most during my deployment was people’s resilience. Their willingness to work together to ensure everyone was safe and to help each other by working together as a community was extremely noteworthy. It was an example of humanity coming together to face a common obstacle. Everyone I spoke with knew what they were facing and what it meant for their future, but they still smiled, helped out their neighbors, and bravely survived a disaster.

      Thank you Deepak for sharing your experience and for traveling to California in October 2017 to deliver the mission of the American Red Cross. We are grateful for your service. #RedCrossMonth

      Tuesday, March 20, 2018

      In Case You Missed It - March 19

      Being both Red Cross Month and Women's History Month, we recognize one of our Disaster Responders, Hlayma Shilleh, who helped residents in Belmont receive Red Cross services when they needed it most.
      Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 103 adults and 44 children following 48 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

      Last Week in Review

      Upcoming Events and Opportunities 

        Sunday, March 18, 2018

        Red Cross Month Volunteer Profile: Richard Sanford

        by Stan Frank 

        For over 60 years, the President of the United States has designated March as American Red Cross Month. It is a month when we celebrate our volunteers and supporters who make the mission of the Red Cross a reality.

        This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate the volunteers who raised their hands in 2017 to support an unprecedented year of disasters across the country and around the world. From natural catastrophes including hurricanes and floods to devastating wildfires and a tragic mass shooting, the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross deployed more than 300 volunteers to deliver hope and help during a remarkable time.

        We asked several volunteers to share some of their deployment experiences. Today we hear from Richard Sanford.


        Richard would clean, wash and polish his ERV every chance he got
        What first motivated you to become a Red Cross volunteer?

        My parents loved the Red Cross. I remember them always giving blood and even when I was a little boy, I volunteered at my elementary school to help with their blood bank. I also volunteered with the Red Cross when I was a teenager and I worked in hospitals.

        How many times have you been deployed, and where?

        I was deployed once out of state to help with the California wildfires (2017), and I served locally on several national disasters including Hurricane Sandy (2012). I also worked at our National Call Center in New York City as a client case worker during previous floods and hurricanes.

        What was your most memorable deployment this past year?

        For the California wildfires I was asked to drive an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) from Houston, Texas to Northern California. It was something I really wanted to do. Along the way, each time that I fueled the vehicle, took a break, or got a bite to eat, I would clean, wash and even polish the vehicle. (I had bought two bottles of car wax). I also had the oil changed knowing the vehicle would have to be ready for service as soon as I arrived in California.

        I was excited and revved up after having driven more than 2000 miles. About 50 miles from my destination which was Santa Rosa, California, I got a phone call. “Richard, would you mind changing your assignment? We see in your profile that you are an instructor and we need you to help instruct Event Based Volunteers. Would that be OK?” I said “Sure, no problem, but if the chance arises, can you put me back on the ERV?” I was disappointed but did not let them on to it. There went my beautiful ERV! As it turned out, I loved my instructor assignment and later went back into working on the ERVs. So, I got more than I had asked for. The Red Cross also got more than they had asked for too. You see, each day as I was waiting to be dispatched on my new ERV, I would wash and wax that vehicle too.

        What was your mission? What did you do on a daily basis?



        Feeding was the main job of the ERV Team
        Disaster Instructor and a member of an ERV Team. As a Disaster Instructor we had to do on the spot training for Event Based Volunteers, many of whom were immediately assigned to sheltering activities. Later that week I went back to working on the ERV team, my original assignment. Our main job on the ERV was feeding.

        What obstacles did you face?

        Search and serve feeding was quite difficult. We had to open the feeding area, then close it down and move on to another location. Sometimes you would serve only a few people but you still had to close down the ERV properly before moving on to the next location. Then you had to open the feeding area again, then return to the driver’s seat and repeat the process. It was a slow and tedious process but very much appreciated by those we served.

        Can you tell us what touched you the most during your deployment?

        I remember going through a community in Santa Rosa that was devastated by the fires. Sometimes, all you would see was a chimney and a burned-out car with a sliver of melted silver metal beside it which was once the car’s muffler. In various spots there were people sifting through whatever was left. Each time I pulled up to a home, I remember hesitating to ask if I could enter their property even though there was no definable property-line since everything was destroyed. I had to determine what would probably be their driveway and I would stand there awkwardly saying “May I come in?” I felt people deserved the respect of someone not simply walking onto their property.

        Thank you Richard for sharing your experience and for traveling to Texas and California in October 2017 to deliver the mission of the American Red Cross. We are grateful for your service! #RedCrossMonth


        Tuesday, March 13, 2018

        Red Cross Month Volunteer Profile: Nanci Banninger

        by Stan Frank

        For over 60 years, the President of the United States has designated March as American Red Cross Month. It is a month when we celebrate our volunteers and supporters who make the mission of the Red Cross a reality.

        This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate the volunteers who raised their hands in 2017 to support an unprecedented year of disasters across the country and around the world. From natural catastrophes including hurricanes and floods to devastating wildfires and a tragic mass shooting, the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross deployed more than 300 volunteers to deliver hope and help during a remarkable time.

        We asked several volunteers to share some of their deployment experiences. Today we hear from Nanci Banninger.


        Nanci (third from left) with her Red Cross team
        What first motivated you to become a Red Cross volunteer?

        What first motivated me was living through Hurricane Hugo in 1999 and reading articles about how the Red Cross was helping people. I had time on my hands and I wanted to volunteer with an organization I trusted.

        How many times have you been deployed, and where?

        I have been deployed three times: Baton Rouge, LA; Greenville, NC; Beaumont, TX

        What was your most memorable deployment this past year?

        I would say Beaumont, Texas, was my most memorable deployment. I was able to help out in three different positions, met incredible volunteers and local residents, and worked with different agencies for the same cause: to help those affected by the hurricane [Harvey].

        What was your mission? What did you do on a daily basis? What obstacles did you face?

        My main mission was to bring food, water, supplies and comfort to those affected by the devastation that the hurricane brought. My other mission was to mentor my partners who were new or who had never deployed before.

        On all three deployments, I was an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) driver and brought two hot meals, water, snacks, etc. daily to folks affected by the damage from the hurricane.

        Each day, we faced heat and humidity, long hours, driving a truck in states that were new to us, finding gas, travelling around the affected areas through debris.

        Nanci (second from left) taking a well-deserved break with her fellow volunteers
        Can you tell us what touched you the most during your deployment?

        What touched me the most were the residents. With all they had been through, losing their homes, local businesses, communications, etc., they were all so very nice and worried about us getting home safely, and getting enough rest. They were all amazed that we came from different states as far away as Alaska. The southerners I met were all very sweet people blessing us for any little thing we gave them and never complaining about anything, all thinking they will get through this and move on and all helping each other.

        I had one resident who gave me his hat after I had remarked how nice it was. It was a cowboy type hat all soft and worn in. I had another, a little boy, who gave us a hug for retrieving a toothbrush holder that was his only toy and which had rolled under our ERV. One other, named Ma, gave us canned jams and jellies and embroidered pillow cases to thank us for bringing them food. I will never forget her!

        Thank you Nanci for sharing your experience and for traveling to Texas in October 2017 to deliver the mission of the American Red Cross. We are grateful for your service! #RedCrossMonth


        Wednesday, March 7, 2018

        In Case You Missed It - Mar 5

        "Thank you RedCross for spending the morning at my alma mater PS20 teaching our young people how
        to best prepare for emergencies and natural catastrophes." -NYS Assemblymember Ron Kim
        Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 102 adults and 15 children following 55 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

        Last Week in Review

        Upcoming Events and Opportunities

        Tuesday, March 6, 2018

        Red Cross Month Volunteer Profile: Alyson G.

        by Stan Frank

        For over 60 years, the President of the United States has designated March as American Red Cross Month. It is a month when we celebrate our volunteers and supporters who make the mission of the Red Cross a reality.

        This month, we are taking a moment to celebrate the volunteers who raised their hands in 2017 to support an unprecedented year of disasters across the country and around the world. From natural catastrophes including hurricanes and floods to devastating wildfires and a tragic mass shooting, the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross deployed more than 300 volunteers to deliver hope and help during a remarkable time.

        We asked several volunteers to share some of their deployment experiences. Today we hear from Alyson G.

        Alyson (3rd from right) with the External Relations Team in Houston.
        What first motivated you to become a Red Cross volunteer?

        The Red Cross helped my parents and grandparents many times. Our family home is in West Point, Kentucky, on the Ohio River. Our house was severely damaged in the floods of 1934, 1945, 1964 and 1997. The Red Cross helped my family during very emotional and financially stressful times. My family members have never forgotten that the Red Cross paid for hotel lodging, gave them money, and brought food, water and cleaning supplies to their town. Plus, I developed an interest in disaster services based upon global warming predictions and recent natural disasters that have affected the United States.

        How many times have you deployed and where? What was your mission?

        I have only deployed once, to Houston, Texas. My assignment was through an American Red Cross national partner, Lott Carey. Lott Carey is an international Christian missionary organization. One of its initiatives is disaster preparedness and response.

        I was assigned to Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Operation Headquarters (DRO HQ). I served in the roles of External Relations, Community Engagement Partnerships.

        What did you do on a daily basis?

        My main role was to act as a liaison between the Disaster Relief Operation Headquarters (DRO HQ) and a collection of more than 30 churches. These churches were points-of-distribution (PODs) sites for the Red Cross. Daily, the PODs received hundreds of meals and numerous palettes of bulk deliveries from the Red Cross and disseminated them to local residents. My job was stay in constant contact with the PODs, fulfill their requests by adjusting orders for more or less food or supplies, and to help resolve problems in delivery. I also performed various tracking exercises, recording the dates, types and number of feedings and supplies on behalf of the Red Cross.

        I also performed work for the External Relations team that was not related to the points-of-distribution. For example, I:
        • helped to move Red Cross’ unsolicited donations out into the affected community;
        • assisted a Red Cross shelter in obtaining identification for residents who lost their IDs in the storm; 
        • searched for housing for people with special needs;
        • organized bulk supply and meal drops for large council member-sponsored and community events;
        • recycled hundreds freshly laundered Red Cross blankets that had been used in the shelters by finding other service organizations that could use them;
        • participated in government and non-profit tabling events. My focus was assisting the community with Red Cross’ Hurricane Harvey Immediate Assistance (HHIA), a financial assistance program for impacted families; and
        • I was also a contact person for corporate volunteers. 
        Everyday seemed to be the same, yet somehow unexpectedly different.

        Can you tell us what touched you the most during your deployment?

        The most touching to me, on a micro level, was feeling I helped people that I could not see. My job was almost 100 percent in the Disaster Relief Operation Headquarters (DRO HQ). I rarely ever went out into the community. I dealt with distributions in bulk, not in small or single serving sizes. Yet, I received phone calls from people who received my number from one of the churches or a councilman’s office. People would ask for replacement walkers or glasses that were lost in the hurricane, or for disaster mental health counseling. It was very rewarding to speak with people that I went to Texas to help and to know I assisted them.

        On a macro level, I was touched by the size and speed of the disaster relief operation (DRO). I had never seen a DRO before, and Hurricane Harvey was a level 7! I spent three weeks in October 2017 in Houston. When I first arrived, headquarters was approximately three floors and teams were divided into divisions and two Red Cross shelters were open. Red Crossers came from all over the country, including Hawaii.

        Headquarters was incredibly busy. [To me,] it looked like all the Red Cross class text had stepped off the page and come to life. There were groups for all areas of operation: logistics, mass care, technical services, etc. There were big screen televisions airing continuous weather reports or interactive maps or staff schedules and contact information. I witnessed the DRO HQ deploy approximately 60 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) assigned to Houston to the California wildfires in roughly a day.

        When I left the DRO, [three weeks later,] one shelter had closed a few days earlier and the other was closing. The PODs were closed. The DRO was no longer subdivided into divisions. The DRO in Beaumont, Texas, was closed and combined into Houston’s. All the HQ staff was located on one floor, and it was a ghost town. Tables, equip, etc. were all being packed up and put away. I could not believe the Red Cross moves so fast!

        Thank you Alyson for sharing your experience and for traveling to Texas in the fall of 2017 to deliver the mission of the American Red Cross. We are grateful for your service and for the long standing partnership we share with Lott Carey. #RedCrossMonth

        Thursday, March 1, 2018

        12 Things You Did Not Know About the Red Cross in NYC and Beyond

        By Mathew Hurst and Catherine Kinney

        "You mean there's more to the Red Cross than just hurricanes and blood drives?"

        As such a globally-recognized symbol, the Red Cross can mean many different things to many different people. Given the broad scope of our humanitarian mission, we wanted to share a few facts that you may not have known about the work of the Red Cross here in NYC, across the country and around the world.

        1.  The Red Cross is the largest humanitarian network in the world.



        The American Red Cross is part of a global Red Cross network comprised of more than 10 million volunteers working in nearly 190 countries around the world! The nature of the day-to-day work may vary but the guiding humanitarian mission and principles remain the same.

        2. The Red Cross aided those who survived the sinking of the Titanic. 



        When passengers arrived in New York harbor following the sinking of the Titanic, the Red Cross was there in 1914 to help those who survived one of history’s deadliest maritime disasters. Red Cross also offered assistance to families who lost loved ones when the Titanic went down. Here’s one family’s story.

        3.  90% of the disasters the American Red Cross responds to are home fires.



        When many people think of the Red Cross, our relief efforts following natural disasters usually  come to mind first. But the Red Cross provides more assistance following home fires than after any other disaster. With nearly 2000 responses to home fires every year in this region, Greater NY is the busiest in region in the country for the American Red Cross. Make sure you are prepared for a home fire by checking out our Home Fire Safety and Prevention tips.

        4.  In the movie Ghostbusters, the Red Cross was at the ready to assist those affected by the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

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        Even the Ghostbusters need a little help now and then. You might have missed our cameo, but the Red Cross was there to offer comfort and care to Louis Tully and all affected by the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, just like we do outside the silver screen.

        Just remember: When you need help in an emergency “who you gonna call?” should still be 911, and right behind first responders you can expect to see a helping hand from one of our Red Cross volunteers.

        5.  The Red Cross can help you prepare for Godzilla and Sharknado.



        Being a Red Cross volunteer means being prepared and helping others prepare, even for disasters as unlikely as Godzilla and Sharknado. Previous Red Cross blog posts have helped get residents ready for both.

        We recommended having flashlights, batteries, food, water, and maps in case of these emergencies and a safe place to meet your family in case you are split up. Our Red Cross Emergency App is another great resource to prepare for the unexpected.

        6.  There are THREE symbols that represent the Red Cross Network Globally.



        Along with the Red Cross symbol, did you know the two other symbols used by our global network? The Red Crescent was formally recognized in 1929 and today is used by 33 of the 189 recognized societies worldwide. The Red Crystal is another neutral symbol of the Red Cross, formally recognized in 2005.


        7.  During the Northeast Blackout of 2003, the Red Cross responded to more than 70 fires.



        The Northeastern blackout, the world’s second-most widespread blackout, affected about 45 million people in eight U.S. states. While Red Cross response teams were out helping stranded commuters, volunteers were also providing assistance following more than 70 home fires. To put things in perspective, on average, the Greater NY Red Cross responds to seven local emergencies every day. Why so many fires in a short period of time? Unsafe use of candles was one reason. Click here for Red Cross Tips on coping with power outages.

        8.  The American Red Cross accepts vehicle donations.



        The Red Cross doesn't only accept money, we are able to receive vehicle donations as well. As a donor, the program provides a cost-free way to dispose of your unwanted vehicle while getting a tax deduction. Donating your vehicle is another great way to help us help others.

        9. The International Red Cross has won 4 Nobel Peace Prizes.



        Henri Dunant, founder of the International Red Cross, was the co-recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for his humanitarian work. Since then, the Red Cross has won the honor three other times: 1917, 1944 and 1963.

        10. Red Cross is a part of the United Nations.



        The global Red Cross network is represented at the United Nations. Two branches of the Red Cross--the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)--advocate for our humanitarian principles on the world’s largest stage, right here in NYC. Click here to learn more about their work at the UN.

        11. Volunteers constitute 90% of the total workforce of the American Red Cross.



        Red Cross volunteers fulfill many roles, from providing assistance following home fires,to teaching CPR, to installing free smoke alarms, to coordinating blood drives,to serving as board members and so much more. Since we are dependent on our volunteer force to carry out most of our humanitarian work, volunteers enable us to carry out our mission in NYC and beyond. Across the organization, the Red Cross has an average of 14 volunteers to every employee.

        If you’re passionate about helping people and looking to volunteer with a visionary humanitarian organization, you can make a difference with the Red Cross by becoming a volunteer today.

        12. Every eight minutes in this country, the Red Cross responds to a disaster, providing food, shelter and comfort.

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        To learn more about the Red Cross mission and how you can join us, visit www.redcross.org.

        Note: Yes, we realize that Rick Moranis appeared twice in this blog post.