In Case You Missed It

Our very own Elias Higgs was featured on the cover of the Volunteer Services 2025 Year in Review.

From Dec 15-21, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 235 adults and 81 children following 53 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Early Monday morning, NBC4, News12 and PIX11 reported on the Red Cross helping 3 families after a 4-alarm fire on Humboldt Street in Brooklyn.
• As ICYMI goes on holiday break for the next week, the Greater New York Red Cross Regional Leadership Team thanks you for all that you do and would like to wish you and your family happy holidays!
• Last Saturday, News12 reported on the Red Cross assisting 12 families after a fire on Brighton 8th Street in Brooklyn.
• Last Thursday, ABC7 reported on the Red Cross helping 2 families after a fire on 80th in Jackson Heights (Queens).
• News12 reported on the Red Cross helping 2 families after a fire on 36th Street in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
• Last Tuesday, News12 and Bronx Times reported on the Red Cross helping 18 families (56 adults and 16 children) after a fire on East 135th Street in the Bronx.
• Last Monday, ABC7 and Hoodline reported on the Red Cross helping displaced families after a fire on Grand Avenue in the University Heights section of the Bronx.
• Need a reason to donate blood? At the recent Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, these donors shared why they give.
• On the 1-year anniversary of the Webster Avenue Water Main Break in the Bronx, Red Cross volunteers Brandon and Sasha reflect on how volunteering to help others in times of need feels good and strengthens their relationship.
• The National Red Cross featured the story of our own #LIRedCross volunteer Magnolia Chiri Garcia!
• Our very own Elias Higgs was also featured on the cover of the Volunteer Services 2025 Year in Review.
• New York State Assembly Member Tommy John Schiavoni is helping to #EndHomeFires with this PSA.
• In early November, we honored extraordinary women who serve our country and our local communities like Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton at the NYC Women’s Veterans Grove in Central Park.
• Looking back at the last year, we highlighted our volunteers placing flags on the gravesites of fallen veterans at the Calverton National Cemetery and New York landmarks lighting red in March for Red Cross Month and Giving Day.

ICYMI will be on hiatus for the holidays. See you in two weeks!

In Case You Missed It

The Red Cross opened a reception center for displaced residents
after a massive apartment fire on the Upper West Side.

From Dec 8-14, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 268 adults and 46 children following 63 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Last Saturday, the FDNY, Red Cross and partners, teamed up to install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety education to Staten Island homes.
• Last Friday, Legislator Gonzalez met with representatives of the American Red Cross to discuss ongoing community needs and opportunities for collaboration.
• News12 reported on the #LIRedCross helping 11 families after a fire on Saint Lawrence Avenue in Van Nest, NY.
• Pet therapy dog, Zander, and his hu-mom, Stephanie, shared paws of gratitude and holiday cheer with the cadets, staff, military personnel and patients at the Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point.
• The Greenwich Time reported on the #MetroNYNRedCross helping a family after a fire on Byfield Lane in Greenwich.
• Last Wednesday, ABC7 reported on the Red Cross helping 6 residents after a fire on Willmohr Street in Flatbush (Brooklyn).
• Last Tuesday, ABC7, NY1, FOX5, PIX11, West Side Rag and CBS2 reported on the Red Cross helping 24 families after a fire on West 107th Street in the Upper West Side (Manhattan).
• We spoke with the Secretary-General of the Mali Red Cross about how the Mali Red Cross delivers its mission in a complex humanitarian landscape and prepares for climate-related disasters.
• We were honored to host L'Oréal at GNY HQ as they cut the ribbon on the new L’Oréal Family Playroom, while also welcoming Marissa McGowan to our Board of Directors!
• We had a great day celebrating the 2025 Greenwich Battle of the Badges! This year’s friendly competition between police, fire, EMS and Dispatch brought in 48 lifesaving blood donations.
• In early November, we honored extraordinary women who serve our country and our local communities like Mona Dexter at the NYC Women’s Veterans Grove in Central Park.
• We shared this video highlighting how just before Thanksgiving, the Red Cross helped 20 residents with emergency assistance after a 4-alarm fire on 1st Avenue in East Harlem.
• Looking back at the last year, we highlighted the 10th anniversary of the Home Fire Campaign and the opening our new office on Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.
• At the start of last week, Metro NY North CEO, Stephanie Dunn Ashley thanked volunteers and the broader Mount Vernon community outside of the Holmes Elementary School Shelter for residents impacted by the Cottage Avenue fire in Mount Vernon.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Dec 17: IHL 101: Outer Space & Armed Conflict 12PM event and 8PM event
• Dec 18: IHL Discussion: Is Sudan at its nearest crossroad?

In Case You Missed It

The Red Cross helped 44 adults and 7 children after two fires in Queens on the same night.

From Dec 1-7, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 143 adults and 34 children following 44 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Saturday was an incredible day of service where our Home Fire Team partnered with the Office of Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay to install free smoke alarms and provided fire safety education to homes on Long Island.
• Last Wednesday, News12 and Newsday reported on the #LIRedCross helping 3 adults and 6 children after a fire on Grant Street in Roosevelt, NY.
• Join us in congratulating José Dominguez, our CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island, for being honored with the Urban League of Long Island’s Phoenix Empowerment Award.
• We are proud to celebrate Mary Dwyer, a dedicated Red Cross volunteer, who has been inducted into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding service.
• Read the story of Charles Wilson, who has been staying with the Red Cross at a shelter after being displaced by a five-alarm fire on November 23, 2025. Yonkers Mayor, Shawyn Patterson-Howard also gave an update to the ongoing shelter operation and thanked the Red Cross for the support.
• Last Monday, ABC7, PIX11, QNS, Queens Chronicle, Hoodline, reported on the Red Cross helping 17 adults and 2 children after a 5-alarm fire on 108th street in Richmond Hill (Queens).
• The same night, QNS also reported on the Red Cross helping 27 adults and 4 children after a fire on 89th Street in Jackson Heights (Queens).
• PIX11, Newsday and News12 also reported on the #LIRedCross helping 2 adults and 5 children after a fire on Sacco Place in North Bellmore (Nassau County).
• Blood donor, Melissa knows that savings lives is much more meaningful than the fear of needles when donating blood in this video short.
• We shared a video reel highlighting the Red Cross helping 4 families after a fire on E Tremont Ave in the Van Nest neighborhood of the Bronx on November 8.
• Best of the year: Look back on Red Cross volunteers supporting the Times Square New Year’s Ball Drop and ringing the opening bell of the New York New York Stock Exchange with these incredible photos.
• We started off last week by helping to launch the “Light the World” Giving Machines in Times Square.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Dec 10: International Humanitarian Law (IHL): Even War Has Rules Class for November 2025
• Dec 13: Please help Cypress Hills National Cemetery by volunteering to lay wreaths this December to honor and remember our Veterans.*
• Dec 13: Help #EndHomeFires with Get Alarmed NYC on Staten Island*
• Dec 17: IHL 101: Outer Space & Armed Conflict 12PM event and 8PM event
• Dec 18: IHL Discussion: Is Sudan at its nearest crossroad?
  *Must be Red Cross volunteer with active Volunteer Connection accounts to register.

In Case You Missed It

#MetroNYNRedCross opened a shelter after the 5-alarm fire on Cottage Avenue in Mount Vernon.

From Nov 24-30, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 159 adults and 43 children following 45 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Yesterday, News12 and NY1 reported on the Red Cross helping 18 families after a 4-alarm fire on Sheridan Avenue in the Claremont neighborhood of the Bronx.
• Last Friday, News12 reported on the Red Cross helping 2 families after a fire on Brinsmade Avenue in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx.
• Our regional CEOs danced off to Taylor Swift’s Fate of Ophelia after Thanksgiving Day to encourage giving during the holiday season!
• Last Tuesday, Metro NY North CEO, Stephanie Dunn Ashley gave a shelter update from the Cottage Avenue 5-alarm fire in Mount Vernon.
• Young volunteers from NYC high schools joined our Service to the Armed Forces team to pack nearly 100 care kits for U.S. troops stationed at Camp Arifjan, a United States Army installation in Kuwait.
• Red Cross Pet Therapy Dog, King, stopped by West Point to meet with the cadets in between classes to help them unwind before the holidays.
• Looking back to December 2024: The Metro New York North Chapter Board welcomed The Grinch as a new Red Cross volunteer to help say THANK YOU to first responders across Greenwich, Conn.
• Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay is helping to #endhomefires with this Sound the Alarm PSA.
• In early November, we honored extraordinary women who serve our country and our local communities like actress singer, Michelle DellaFave at the NYC Women’s Veterans Grove in Central Park.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Dec 2: Back-to-Back Disasters in the Philippines - Family Reconnection Service from the American Red Cross. Join the American Red Cross and Assemblyman Steven Raga for an informative session to learn more about the Restoring Family Links program.
• Dec 13: Please help Cypress Hills National Cemetery by volunteering to lay wreaths this December to honor and remember our Veterans.*

*Must be Red Cross volunteer with active Volunteer Connection accounts to register.