In Case You Missed It

MLK Day Saturday of Service with 43 volunteers from the Red Cross, MIRA USA,
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and the United Federation of Teachers.

From Jan 13-19, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 247 adults and 77 children following 53 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Great #MLKDAY Saturday of Service, with 43 volunteers from the Red Cross, MIRA USA, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and the United Federation of Teachers fanning out across East New York in Brooklyn to install free smoke alarms and provided fire safety information in 53 homes.
• News 12 reported that the Red Cross is still providing housing to displaced residents of the Allerton fire as they transition to longer-term recovery plans.
• News 12 reported on Stew Leonard's, American Red Cross, Yonkers FD raising donations for wildfire victims.
• Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Council Member Pierina Sanchez thanked the Red Cross and other city agencies for helping 21 households who were displaced after a fire on Heath Ave in the Bronx last Wednesday, as covered by the NY Daily News, FOX5, ABC7, Norwood News and News 12.
• Continuing our National Blood Donor month video series, Officer Diaz and Jim O’Brien share why they donate blood.
• Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez thanked the #LIRedCross for assisting over 20 families after a fire in Central Islip. Newsday, News 12 and Patch reported on the Red Cross setting up a reception center.
• We wished our volunteer Vivian Moy safe travels as she headed to California to support the ongoing Red Cross response to the wildfires.
• A week after the wildfires in California started, our regional CEO Doreen Thomann-Howe joined CBS New York to provide an update on our ongoing efforts to ensure no one faces this heartbreaking time alone.
• News 12 spoke with local volunteer David Gonsalves who is in Los Angeles for the Red Cross to help people impacted by the wildfires.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• TYPE O DONORS: We need your help to meet patient needs! O+ is the most transfused blood type & can be used by patients of any Rh-positive blood type. O- is the universal blood type & is often used in emergencies. Don't wait. Make an appointment to donate: rcblood.org/appt
• We are actively looking for volunteers in the following roles:
• Sheltering Services Volunteer - NYC
• Disaster Action Team Specialist - New York City WEEKDAY DAYTIME
• Home Fire Campaign Team Member - New York City (DRIVERS ONLY)

In Case You Missed It

Regional CEO Doreen Howe speaking at the public information briefing for the Allerton Bronx apartment fire.

From Jan 6-12, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 451 adults and 116 children following 69 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, NYC Emergency Management, FDNY and the Mayor’s Office gave updates on how the Red Cross opened a reception center and worked with partners to help the displaced residents after a major apartment fire in the Allerton section of the Bronx.
• NY1 , News 12, ABC7, NY Times, CBS2, FOX5, Bronx Times, PIX11, Norwood News, People, NY Daily News, NBC4, Gothamist, and 1010Wins, among other outlets, all reported on the Red Cross response after the Allerton fire.
• Last Saturday, Newsday reported on the Red Cross assisting a family after a fire on Woodlawn Rd. in West Hempstead.
• Last Thursday, News 12 reported on the Red Cross assisting families after a fire on Ocean Ave in Brooklyn.
• Our Regional CEO, Doreen Howe, joined NY1’s Annika Pergament on "The Rush Hour" Thursday to talk about how New Yorkers can help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
• For National Blood Donor month, Alex shared why she continues to donate blood.
• News 12 reported on the Red Cross helping residents after a fire on Miller Ave. in East New York.
• We continued to look back on last November, when we honored extraordinary women who serve our country and our local communities like Meridith Maskara at the Women’s Veterans Grove in Central Park.
• Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter welcomed three board members.
• Assemblymember Karines Reyes is helping to #EndHomeFires by recording PSAs for “Sound the Alarm” in English and in Spanish.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Kick off 2025 with a blood, platelet or plasma donation! When you come to give with the Red Cross Jan. 1-26, you'll automatically get a chance to score a getaway to #SuperBowl LIX. Schedule your appointment to give now: https://rcblood.org/3WbDQLZ
• We are actively looking for volunteers in the following roles:
• Sheltering Services Volunteer - NYC
• Disaster Action Team Specialist - New York City WEEKDAY DAYTIME
• Home Fire Campaign Team Member - New York City (DRIVERS ONLY)

In Case You Missed It

Red Cross Team supporting first responders at Times Square before New Year's Eve Ball Drop. (Photo: Alex Wales)

From Dec 30-Jan 5, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 132 adults and 45 children following 49 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• The Bronx Times, News12 and CBS2 continued to cover how the Red Cross assisted residents for two weeks after the water main break in mid-December.
• Last Thursday, our team gathered at the New York Stock Exchange to ring the first Opening Bell of 2025 and recognize National Blood Donor Month.
• For the last several weeks, we’ve been sharing clips of the Women in Service we honored at the Women’s Veterans Grove in Central Park like Judy Audevard, Sergeant Major MaryKay Messenger, Deanne Criswell, Major Ophélie Bernecker and Captain Tina Peña.
• In the hours leading up to midnight on New Year’s Eve, Red Cross volunteers provided hot beverages and snacks for first responders and partners at Times Square.
• Relive the memory of when Red Cross blood donor Josh Dye won a contest to meet the legendary creator of Tetris, Alexey Pajitnov.
• For Clara Barton’s 203rd Birthday, fourth-grader Cara paid homage to the iconic founder of the American Red Cross with this video.
• Two weeks ago, Congressman Jim Himes stopped by our Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center in Greenwich to demonstrate how easy and how important it is to donate blood.
• The Boston College Football team stopped by our HQ on their way to the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium to learn hands-only CPR and help put together care packages for veterans.
• We closed out the year remembering what an incredible year it has been and reminding our supporters of the impact they’ve had on the community.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Every day the Red Cross of Greater New York responds to 8 -10 disasters across the boroughs. If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference, join our Volunteer Disaster Response or Home Fire Campaign teams.
• We are looking for volunteers in the following roles: 
• Mass Care Team Member, 
• Emergency Response Vehicle Driver (NYC)
• Disaster Action Team Specialist (NYC) OVERNIGHT SHIFTS PRIORITY
• Disaster Health Services Team Member (NYC) Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Mental Health Team Member - Licensed Certified Professionals Only
• Disaster Services: Spiritual Care Volunteer - Certified Professionals Only
• Video Editor
• VHS Historical Video Digitizer (NYC)