In Case You Missed It

Volunteers from throughout the Greater New York region celebrate at the 2024 Volunteer Recognition Event.

Between June 17 and 24, the Greater New York Red Cross has provided emergency assistance to 182 adults and 49 children following 40 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last Wednesday, on #WorldSickleCellDay2024, we #ShinetheLight on how your blood donations have made a monumental difference in the lives of Sickle Cell Warriors like Ashley Flowers and her family.
• Last Wednesday, the Red Cross had provided clean-up kits and financial assistance to residents following a fire on E 213th St in the Bronx
• The first tropical storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been named — #Alberto. Weather experts predict that this hurricane season will bring an above-average number of named storms, as sea surface temperatures remain higher than usual.
• Last Saturday, The Red Cross has provided residents with emergency housing and financial assistance following a fire on 14th St in Brooklyn.
• The #LIRedCross has provided financial assistance to residents following a fire on N Wading River Rd, in Wading River (#SuffolkCounty).
• The Red Cross participated in the Elmhurst Health & Hospital fair on Saturday to share important preparedness information with attendees and had a great time meeting the #NYC Health + Hospitals staff.
• On Thursday, we awarded Katharine Ristich with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit after she used her Red Cross training to help save the life of her father when he was choking. #Lifesavingaward
• This past Sunday we celebrated our volunteers at the regionwide 2024 Volunteer Recognition event! Congratulations to all our honorees.

Upcoming Events and Activities

• July 6: At 11am-3pm: Prepare the Town: Brownsville at the Van Dyke Community Center, to help prepare you for emergencies.

In Case You Missed It

Former GNY Red Crossers Hector Pereira and Mitch Kassel responding to flooding in Florida.

From June 10-16, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 113 adults and 40 children following 32 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Check out some safety tips from the Red Cross in the NY Post on how you can stay safe from the heat as temperatures are expected to rise above 100 this week.
• Our Service to the Armed Forces Pet Therapy Team were at the Newburgh Armory supporting veterans on National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
• Two former GNY Red Crossers Hector Pereira and Mitch Kassel (now with the South Florida Region) responded to the floodings in Florida.
• For Father’s Day, we shared this video about long-time Red Cross volunteer Mike Emmerman with a special message from his son, TJ who is currently a Brooklyn DAT responder.
• #LIRedCross had a table at the NAACP Juneteenth Celebration in Islip.
• The Long Island Disaster Action Team responded to a fire in Hempstead on Saturday, helping 18 people, and were covered by Newsday, News12 Long Island, and Patch.
• The #MetroNYNRedCross opened a shelter at the Police Athletic League in Yonkers for two nights to assist residents after a fire on Saratoga Avenue on Thursday, covered here by News12 Westchester.
• At our Metro NY North Chapter Board meeting last Tuesday, we heard an inspiring story from Greenwich Police Sgt. Jason Lyman, who used his CPR training to save a life in Old Greenwich.
• Phoebe Baluyot shared what her AmeriCorps experience was like and why she chose to work with the Red Cross.
• The national American Red Cross social media channels reshared our story of Craig and Jose donating blood together for the first time as a married gay couple, highlighting the more inclusive FDA regulations about blood donation. #PrideMonth

Upcoming Events and Activities

• June 20: The 6th “We Were There” panel discussion (Zoom registration) will focus on our GNY members who have expertise in working with families and children across multiple lines of service.
• June 23: Join us for our FY24 Volunteer Awards Ceremony (registered volunteers only) as we recognize the outstanding contributions of our dedicated volunteers. We look forward to seeing you all there to share some Lunch and some quality time!
• June 24: Join the SI COAD for the Spring 2024 Tabletop Exercise, hosted in collaboration with the American Red Cross of Greater New York. This engaging, discussion-based event offers a valuable opportunity to collaborate with a range of local organizations and stakeholders and explore various role(s) during a disaster scenario.

In Case You Missed It

Long Island Hurricane Preparedness Press Conference.

From June 3-9, the American Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 167 adults and 32 children following 53 local disaster responses. Here are some highlights from the past 2 weeks and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday, the GNY Logistics Team was setting up and preparing for the 2024 Safety Town program in Greenwich, CT.
• Join us in congratulating our newest Lifesaving Award Honoree: Katharine Ristich, who saved the life of her choking father.
• Read about how Scott Piper went from the Navy to becoming a Disaster Program Manager with the GNY Red Cross.
• VIDEO: Jose and Craig, partners and Red Crossers, were able to donate blood together for the first time since the historic change of FDA policy on donor eligibility. #pridemonth
• The #LIRedCross joined many partners to hold a special press conference to advise everyone to get ready for the upcoming hurricane season, with coverage in the LI Herald and NBC 4.
• VIDEO: Bowen Yu has been deployed to Hawaii since August of last year, supporting the wildfire relief operations and just recently returned home to Long Island! #AAPIHeritageMonth
• Regional Volunteer Services Officer, Andrea Grimaldi-Grafer unearthed this amazing childhood report on the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton!

Upcoming Events and Activities

• June 13 Deadline: The American Red Cross of Greater New York is looking for 2 NYC Civic Corps members to commit to 10 months of service from September 2024 to June 2025 with the Volunteer Services Department. Frank shared his experience as an AmeriCorps member with GNY Red Cross. Go to www.nycservice.org/nyc_civic_corps for application and benefits information.
• June 20: The 6th “We Were There” panel discussion (Zoom registration) will focus on our GNY members who have expertise in working with families and children across multiple lines of service.
• June 23: Join us for our FY24 Volunteer Awards Ceremony (registered volunteers only) as we recognize the outstanding contributions of our dedicated volunteers. We look forward to seeing you all there to share some Lunch and some quality time!