In Case You Missed It

Red Crossers supporting first responders and attendees of
Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop. (Photo: Alex Wales)

From Dec 29-Jan 4, the Red Cross in Greater New York provided emergency assistance to 261 adults and 49 children following 49 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week in Review

• Sunday night, News12 reported on the #LIRedCross helping residents after a fire on Townehouse Drive in Coram, NY (Suffolk County).
• The Staten Island Advance reported on the Red Cross providing emergency housing to a family after a post-Christmas fire.
• While thousands counted down to midnight in Times Square, dozens of dedicated Red Cross volunteers spent New Year’s Eve supporting the first responders who kept everyone safe.
• Our Cardozo High School Red Cross Club recently made these amazing cards to say THANK YOU to blood donors. #NationalBloodDonorMonth
• Last Tuesday, American Red Cross Greater New York Board Member Ming Chiang proudly rang the Closing Bell at Nasdaq, shining a spotlight on our mission of compassion, preparedness and lifesaving service.
• In early November of 2025, we honored extraordinary women who serve our country and our local communities like Major Monday Price at the NYC Women’s Veterans Grove in Central Park.
• The National Red Cross shared the story of our #LIRedCross volunteer Magnolia Chiri Garcia — en Espanol!
• Check out our Year in Review 2025 video that highlighted neighbors supporting neighbors and volunteers answering every call. We also remembered the Today Show segment back in July about donating blood. Together, we delivered comfort, hope and lifesaving relief when it mattered most.
• To honor Clara Barton’s 204th birthday, we shared 5 facts you didn’t know about Clara and other interesting details about her life.
• In this BronxNet interview, Red Cross communicator Zaide Manzur talks about how donating blood can make a life-saving difference for someone in need.
• News12 reported on the Red Cross helping 7 residents after a fire on Hart Street in Coney Island (Brooklyn).
• The Queens Chronicle, Hoodline, NBC4, and ABC7 reported on the Red Cross helping residents after two fires in Queens on the same night.
• QNS reported on the Red Cross helping 5 families after a fire on Gleane Street in Elmhurst (Queens).
• QNS also reported on the Red Cross helping 2 families after a Christmas Day fire on 147th Street in Whitestone (Queens).
• We posted the story of how the Red Cross helped an East Harlem couple and their precious cats with their recovery after a fire destroyed their home in November.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• The Giving Machines are still open across #NYC and you can use them to support #RedCross disaster relief efforts, including Emergency Feeding Kits, Infant Care Kits, and more life‑changing essentials.
• Jan 5: State of the Region Meeting with GNY CEO, Doreen Howe*

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