Wednesday, June 30, 2021

"Three Questions" with Sally Nielsen

"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.


by Xavia Malcolm, American Red Cross in Greater NY

Sally Nielsen has dedicated her life to helping others. She has cared for many people over the span of her career as a nurse. Today, although she is retired, Sally continues to apply the noble principles of nursing to her role as a health services volunteer with the American Red Cross. Since joining our team in January of 2018, she has provided assistance to countless individuals, and has exemplified compassion.

Why did you pursue a career in nursing?

I fell in love with the Florence Nightingale [founder of modern nursing] story, and nursing has always been a part of my life. My mother was a nurse, I became a nurse, so did my daughter. It is an amazing career that allows me to do what I love the most which is to help others.

How has becoming Red Cross volunteer impacted your life?

I have always admired the work of the Red Cross. What we do is truly unique. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to see resilience and grace at its best, in times of adversity. In 2018, I deployed to Florida following the devastation of Hurricane Michael. The level of destruction was one that you could not imagine. You would have to see it to believe it. Homes were leveled and acres of forest were destroyed. Everything was demolished. Yet people were so grateful that we were there with them. I find it important to let people know that we are truly there to help in any way that we can. One of the first things I say to clients when we arrive is, “You are not alone. The Red Cross is here for you.” With these words people often break down and cry. What we do makes a difference in their lives. I have had clients contact me months after a response saying: "thank you for helping my family find a safe place to stay," "thank you for helping me secure a generator to run my medical equipment," and so on." I admire these people; they are the amazing ones.

The pandemic has changed our way of life, what has been like for you as volunteer?

It’s been hard. The human touch just means so much and it has been challenging in some ways to not physically touch someone to reassure them or make them feel them feel supported. However, I take comfort in knowing that I can still provide assistance by speaking with clients on the phone, offering virtual support and providing referrals online. I am looking forward to the day when I am able to give hugs again- I can’t wait!

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

In Case You Missed It

This week, we celebrated Red Cross founder Henry Dunant with #PassTheTorch. 

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 109 adults and 31 children following 38 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below.)

Last Week In Review 
  • A fire in Shelton tore through homes in the Bronx on June 22. News 12 reported that victims were assisted by Red Cross volunteers. 


Upcoming Events and Activities

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Giving Back Wherever He Can: Red Cross Volunteer Ray Enstine

By Alessandro Malave, American Red Cross in Greater NY


Ray Enstine lives a life dedicated to helping others. Originally from Long Island, Enstine is a military veteran who worked for 30 years as a small business owner. In 15 years of service with the Red Cross in his retirement, Enstine has served in many different roles, almost all in Disaster Relief.

Speaking about his work helping communities after fires, floods and other emergencies, Enstine reflects: “A lot of people don’t realize how meaningful it is to people when you feel in the lowest part of your life, and a stranger comes in in the middle of the night and helps you. You feel like you’re not alone, and that’s a very powerful thing.”

Enstine, who has long given back through community service including with his local Rotary Club, initially joined the Red Cross inspired by the work of volunteers after Hurricane Katrina. He connected with the organization soon after, supporting disaster response efforts locally on Long Island and, at times, deployed to large-scale relief efforts, like those that spurred him on to volunteer with the Red Cross in the first place.

One early and memorable experience for Enstine on deployment occurred while working at a service center in Iowa for flood relief in 2007. He encountered a gentleman who did not want to leave his mold-ridden home despite the safety issues he was facing. He connected and carefully engaged in conversation with the man, ultimately assisting him and his family to find housing. The man introduced Ray to his wife and expressed their gratitude after reconnecting with him by chance a few weeks later.

Enstine has also been quite active after local disasters here on Long Island. One role Ray has taken on with the Red Cross locally is representing the organization in Emergency Operations Centers both before and during disasters. In this position he serves as a liaison between the Red Cross and local emergency management officials, communicating requests and information to Red Cross teams to ensure needs on the ground are being met.

He has also served as a caseworker. While working in this role during Hurricane Irene in 2011, he received an inquiry from an individual in Iowa who could not reach two of his older relatives in Long Island who had evacuated due to the storm. Ray was tasked with helping reconnect them, and he did. Ernstine ultimately found the family members and informed them about their worried relative in Iowa. He even helped connect them by phone.

Enstine now splits his time between New York and South Carolina and volunteers with the Red Cross in both places.

“As you get older, you get removed from things,” Ray says about retired life. “But in the Red Cross, you get to see all these different people and learn about all different cultures and things you don’t know. It’s just been a chance to give back and connect to people, and it’s been quite a ride.”

Monday, June 21, 2021

In Case You Missed It

The Red Cross helped families displaced by Hell’s Kitchen fires this week, right near our NYC headquarters.
(Photo Credit: Wally Angulo)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 140 adults and 35 children for 39 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week In Review


Upcoming Events and Activities 

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

In Case You Missed It

Students fitted for free bicycle helmets as part of our Safety Town program in Greenwich, CT.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 112 adults and 40 children for 44 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below.)

Last Week in Review
  • On June 12, we joined the Friends of Crown Heights to help stock and ship emergency care packages to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean nation recently impacted by volcanic eruptions.
  • We held an online presentation on how to prepare, respond and recover from local emergencies and large-scale disasters, co-hosted by Senator Alexis Weik, on Tuesday, June 8.

Upcoming Events and Activities
  • June 14 to June 30: We partnered with Amazon to encourage New Yorkers to donate blood and save lives. Those who donate will receive a $5 Amazon gift card. Type O blood is especially needed!


Tuesday, June 8, 2021

In Case You Missed It

Last week, we brought together partners from across Long Island and NY state to discuss emergency preparedness.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 84 adults and 14 children following 36 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, June 1, 2021

In Case You Missed It

Don and Ida Hahn receiving Congeniality Award at West Point Volunteer Recognition Event.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 77 adults and 16 children following 35 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
  • June 7, 14: PARENTS IN GREENWICH AND WESTCHESTER: Registration is open for Safety Town! Join us virtually for a comprehensive one-week safety education program offered every summer by the American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter. Under guidance of classroom teachers and with the help of representatives from the police, fire, EMS departments and other community helpers, children learn safety tips in a virtual classroom setting and are fitted with their own bike safety helmet that they keep. Sessions available the week of June 7th and June 14th. All sessions will be on Zoom. Registration is OPEN. Scholarships available. Visit http://Safetytown.givesmart.com to register today!
  • June 8: Sign up for our virtual event--Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes and Hands Only CPR--a free training, co-hosted by Senator Alexis Weik, on what you and your community can do when an emergency occurs.
  • June 10: Virtually learning Hands-Only CPR can help gain precious time for a person experiencing a cardiac event and knowing First Aid, CPR and how to use an AED will enable you to provide life-saving care in a range of emergencies. Co-hosted by Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez.