Thursday, March 30, 2023

“Three Questions” with Red Cross Volunteer Ed Mechmann

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.

Ed Mechmann, a fulltime attorney from Yonkers, N.Y., joined the Red Cross after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He began volunteering with his wife at a Respite Center near Ground Zero. A few years later, Mechmann joined the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) supporting residents affected by local disasters across Westchester County. Mechmann’s flexible work schedule allows him to devote two days a week to the Red Cross, for which we thank him!

Is there a memory from your time with the Red Cross that particularly sticks out to you?

Yes, there’s a lot. I mean the Respite Center memories were very vivid. When the workers would come in, they were working on the pile. They were trying to recover bodies, and that was very intense.

One of my most remarkable memories with DAT was when we responded to a fire in Yonkers, it was downtown Yonkers, an old building, and everybody was burned out. My wife Peggy and I, and another volunteer were in the hallway of the building interviewing the clients [affected residents]. The fire was so bad that the roof had been obliterated, so we were standing there in the hallway and it’s snowing on us. We are interviewing the clients and they are very distraught. I remember this one woman that I was interviewing, and she starts crying and I gave her a hug and it was just a very vivid memory for me.

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering with the Red Cross, but might be hesitant?

I would say, first of all, there are so many good volunteers that will help you along. You are never by yourself. If you are out on a fire, there is always someone with you and almost always someone who has a lot of experience. You are never going to be alone. There’s always going to be people to help you. We really put a lot of effort into helping volunteers move along and get more experience, feel more comfortable. The satisfaction you get from helping people in their darkest hour is really a great experience. I’ve done volunteer work in a lot of other places, and you rarely get the kind of person-to-person help. It’s direct personal contact with a person who needs help. That again is just very emotionally and spiritually fulfilling for a lot of people.

What else would you like people to know about volunteering with the Red Cross?

I think it’s great knowing that in the Red Cross, I’m a little volunteer here in Westchester, but we are active around the world. My wife deployed after Hurricane Katrina, down to Louisiana. A lot of our fellow volunteers that we work with all the time, they deploy. It’s just a great thing knowing I’m a little volunteer here, almost in my own neighborhood, but there are people just like me all around the world, who are doing the same thing with the same symbol…we are all in a fellowship of helping others. That principle of humanity, that’s at the heart of the Red Cross mission, is just amazing to me to think of. I’d say that to people: “You are getting into something that is so big and is so well respected.” I’ll tell you, when we show up to a fire site, we get a feeling of that, because the firemen all say, “The Red Cross is here,” and the police say “Oh, thank God the Red Cross is here,” and the clients say the same thing. They know that when the Red Cross is there, we are there to help. That’s around the world, but also in your own little neighborhood.

As more people rely on the American Red Cross for help, the need for compassionate volunteers has never been greater. Join our disaster team and make a difference in people’s lives

Monday, March 27, 2023

In Case You Missed It

Buildings and landmarks across NY lit red for Red Cross Month and Giving Day. (Photo: Brett Whysel)
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 238 adults and 42 children following 53 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
  • Celebrate #RedCrossMonth this March and volunteer today! Communities across the country count on the Red Cross for help every day — and volunteers are there to support communities
  • Mar 27: Council Member Marjorie Velázquez is co-hosting a Pillowcase Project preparedness education program for grades 3-5 that teaches students about personal and family preparedness and safety skills, local hazards, and basic coping skills.
  • Mar 30: Join the Regional Preparedness Department at the Fire Department Training Center in Fort Totten, Queens for a fabulous Preparedness BBQ! (must be a registered Red Cross volunteer to sign up)
  • April 8: Attending the NY International Auto Show? Donate blood while you're there. Use promotional code "redcross1233" for discount tickets purchased at www.autoshowny.com and also schedule to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org. Use sponsor code: NYAuto (All donors MUST purchase a ticket to enter the Auto Show in order to donate)

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

In Case You Missed It

Red Crossers across the region celebrated St. Patrick's Day Day by marching in parades. (Photo: Celia Vollmer)
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 205 adults and 59 children following 56 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
  • Mar 20-23: Join us at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Eisenhower Hall to donate blood. Visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: WestPoint or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment.
  • Mar 22: To celebrate Red Cross Month and Red Cross Giving Day, buildings and monuments across New York light up RED to recognize all of you who make our mission possible. Join us for a group photo at the Oculus at 7:10 p.m. (Active volunteers can confirm attendance here)
  • Mar 22: Will you be joining us on Red Cross Giving Day — March 22? Your help is needed to provide the resources people need to get back on their feet after a devastating natural disaster. Mark your calendars to provide hope when #HelpCantWait.
  • Mar 22: Our colleagues at the IFRC have co-organized a virtual event as part of the 2023 UN Water Conference: An end to Day Zero: Sustainable and universal water in urban settlements.
  • Mar 25: In partnership with the Brentwood Public Library, the American Red Cross on Long Island will host Prepare Brentwood, a day-long community event featuring safety courses, family readiness training, service opportunities, refreshments, prizes, and more! Prepare Brentwood is free to the public and open to residents of all ages.
  • Mar 30: Join the Regional Preparedness Department at the Fire Department Training Center in Fort Totten, Queens for a fabulous Preparedness BBQ! (must be a registered Red Cross volunteer to sign up)

Monday, March 13, 2023

In Case You Missed It

20 Red Cross volunteers gathered in Spring Valley to support
the community after a tragic fatal fire. (Photo: Maria Anguiano)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 265 adults and 51 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 Activities

Monday, March 6, 2023

In Case You Missed It

Celebrating #RedCrossMonth in Greenwich with town officials.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 178 adults and 55 children following 47 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