Getting Down to Business: Local Leaders Turn to the Long Island Red Cross

By Joe Spaccarelli

It’s a typical cold winter Wednesday morning for most business executives with the exception of a small intimate group of CEOs gathering for The Hauppauge Industrial Association’s (HIA-LI) CEO roundtable event. A special session where local leaders gather to share success stories, insights, philosophies and network.

The event’s featured speaker is John Miller, CEO, Long Island Red Cross.

As leaders and attendees arrive, coffee in hand, networking prior to the main presentation, inquiring minds already want to know what a humanitarian relief volunteer organization has in common with their respective businesses. The answers, as they would soon come to find out, will be surprising to many.

John warmed up the crowd by providing a brief overview of the Red Cross lines of service and described our local footprint here on Long Island followed by a personal recount of Superstorm Sandy and the extraordinary impact that it had here locally.

John then took the group through an interactive presentation that was peppered with inquisitive questions from many of the thought leaders trying to seize the golden nuggets of wisdom drawn from John’s field tested strategies, tactics and years of experience.

The centerpiece of the discussion was the transformation of the local chapters of the Red Cross (Nassau, Suffolk and Shelter Island) into a single organization under a unified leadership structure. The transformation encompassed the Chapters, Board of Directors, leadership team, staff and even volunteers. It was done with compassion and respect for the individual at every level. Transparent to those in need, our responses continued as the organization took shape. It’s something that could be akin to building an airplane in flight.

John covered a multitude of topics and issues that most organizations struggle with such as Leadership development, succession planning, board development, revenue generation, and employee (and volunteer) engagement. With each topic came a rapid-fire inquisition from the highly engaged audience.

At the conclusion of the event, engaged participants found the answers to their lingering question from earlier that morning; Running an organization designed to provide relief efforts to “unscheduled” catastrophic events with little or no warning, utilizing the power of volunteers and donors resources at a moment’s notice is no small feat. It takes guts, precision planning, leadership, organization, financial and human resources, collaboration, coordination, role and goal clarity, concise communications, preparedness and processes just to name a few.

Leading the effort is a leadership team that is aligned, supportive, transparent and open to continuous improvement. But the single most important ingredient that makes this model work is the desire, drive, willingness and passion of the donors and volunteer all aligned and focused on how to make a difference in the lives of those impacted.

Red Cross Participates in Veterans StandDown in Northport, Long Island

Red Cross volunteers (L t R): Robin Cohen, Doreen Brienza, John Galligan

The American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Team on Long Island participated in a Veterans StandDown at the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Facility on Sept. 24.  The StandDown is held twice a year to do provide an array of services to the local veterans’ community, with a focus on those veterans facing homelessness or seeking employment.

"The Veterans StandDown events are important opportunities to support local veterans and provide information on the services available through the American Red Cross Service SAF program,” said Bridgette Nugent, Regional Case Manager, SAF & International Services American Red Cross Greater New York Region. “The Red Cross is committed to supporting military members throughout the deployment cycle, to include reintegration amongst veterans, and we are proud to be a part of such a collaborative community event."

At the event, the SAF team provided approximately 210 veterans, with Red Cross comfort kits containing personal hygiene items including toothpaste, soap and shampoo.

The SAF team was one of many local organizations providing services to veterans.

Long Island Volunteer Celia Vollmer Honored

American Red Cross volunteer Celia Vollmer was recognized by the Long Island Red Cross with its highest honor, the Clara Barton Leadership Award, at its Volunteer Recognition Event on March 1 in Woodbury, New York. Celia, who lives in Brentwood, N.Y., works at the Brentwood Public Library as a circulation and computer services advisor.

She joined the Red Cross in 2010 and trained as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) responder, ready to help her neighbors in need anywhere on Long Island.

“DAT responds on a daily basis in our own communities and outer communities,” Celia said. “People really need help when they’re displaced from their homes,” she added. “We show up and make sure that they’re safe and secure, and that they have food, clothes and the resources they need to mitigate their circumstances.”

Celia volunteers whenever and however she is needed: in shelter operations, mass care (feeding) and logistics. She is now a DAT captain, which means that every second week of the month, she is on call 24-hours a day. Other times, she is the backup in the event that another Red Crosser is unable to respond.

Additionally, Celia is trained as a lifesaving skills instructor who teaches Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid classes every month at the Brentwood Public Library. She acknowledges that she has a very supportive employer and community behind her, which allows her to carry out her volunteer work.

 “The Brentwood Library has been incredibly generous in allowing me to clock out and clock in and get to Red Cross events,” she said. “The library board places value on community service of our staff members.”

It was in fact, it was Celia who helped connect the Red Cross and the Library, which at the March 1 volunteer event received the Red Cross Community Partnership award. “The Library is always looking for new ways to teach and engage with the Brentwood community,” she said.

Sometimes, Celia assists with casework for fire-affected residents during work hours at the library. Many Red Cross Long Island meetings and trainings are also held in the library, which has opened its doors to the community. When nearby Bayshore, N.Y., residents lost their homes to a fire during this brutally cold winter, the library welcomed them and served as a Red Cross reception center.

 During Hurricane Sandy, Celia was lucky enough to have been spared the worst of the storm. In the aftermath, she served as operations manager at the Red Cross shelter at Brentwood High School. Library staff and their families pitched in, helping set up the shelter three days before the storm, assembling cots and getting the facility ready for occupancy.

Throughout that trying time, Celia logged in over 56 days of service. In addition to serving as operations manager, she helped out whenever she could—doing casework, moving equipment, handing out blankets and comfort kits and more.

“We still have people coming into the library system looking for additional help because of Hurricane Sandy,” Celia said. “The first step is to connect them to disaster case management at the Red Cross, which I’m happy to do.”

"The Clara Barton volunteer leadership award award recognizes distinguished and meritorious volunteer service given by an individual in a number of leadership positions, as well as personal expertise that has enabled the American Red Cross to contribute valuable services to the community," said Long Island Board Member and former Senator Michael Balboni, on presenting the award to Celia. "This honor is well-deserved."

Greater NY Red Cross Honors Sandy Anniversary through Service: Oct. 26, 2013

In advance of next week’s one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, the Red Cross Greater New York Region is honoring the anniversary through service. Red Cross volunteers are helping to rebuild and muck out homes and community centers, clean up parks, and teach emergency preparedness classes to hundreds of Greater New York residents.

Here’s a roundup of Red Cross Sandy anniversary activities for Sat., Oct. 26:

Teaching Chinatown Residents Emergency Preparedness

Photo: Brett Whysel

This morning, the American Red Cross teamed up with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) and University Settlement to train more than 350 Chinatown residents in emergency preparedness at the New York Chinese Community Center, 62 Mott Street.

Yim Chan, English secretary for CCBA, said many in the Chinese community are particularly vulnerable during a disaster because of their age and language barriers.

“This community was hit hard during Superstorm Sandy,” Chan said. “We have a lot of senior citizens who live here. During the storm, many of them didn’t know what to do – a lot of them were stranded in high rises with no water, electricity or communication. It’s especially important for them to have an emergency kit.”

“Preparing New Yorkers for disaster – whether a fire or a cataclysmic event like Sandy – has never been more urgent or more relevant,” said Kathryn Soman, co-chair of the Centennial Circle, a group of women leaders whose goal is to make preparedness a part of every New Yorker’s life, and an event partner. “As we mark the first-year anniversary of that devastating storm, the Centennial Circle is proud to support the efforts of the Greater New York Red Cross and delighted to partner with the CCBA at this Community Preparedness Day.”

Soman presented the preparedness information in English; Eva Wong, from University Settlement, translated the presentation into Cantonese. The Red Cross thanks its partners: the CCBA, the Visiting Nurse Service of NY, Chinatown Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community; University Settlement; and Council member Margaret Chin.



L-R: Denise Bloise, American Red Cross Greater NY Region; Eva Wong, University Settlement; Kathryn Soman, Red Cross volunteer; Zhongmin Yu, preparedness event participant; Paul Ng, CCBA president; and Stephanie Gootman, Red Cross volunteer. Photo: Brett Whysel. 

Rebuilding on Coney Island
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Red Cross partnered with Rebuilding Together NYC in its home rebuilding and revitalization activities as part of a 24-hour rebuild.

Greater New York Red Cross volunteers, including regional CEO Josh Lockwood, worked side-by-side with Jack Brand, Deutschebank Bank North America CEO; Chelsea Muller from the governor's office of NY Storm Recovery; Councilman Dominic Reccia; Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasney; Felipe Lopez of NBA Cares, members of Team Rubicon and Shaumet Builds; and other partner organizations. Scores of volunteers came out in the cold to lend a helping hand.

L to R: Chelsea Muller, NYC regional lead, NY Office of Storm Recovery; Kimberly George, executive director, Rebuilding Together NYC; Jacques Brand, CEO of North America Deutsche Bank; Rocco Brescia, homeowner; Josh Lockwood, regional CEO, American Red Cross Greater NY 

Alec Brook-Krasney, assemblyman for Coney Island, Donna M. Morrissey, director of communication, American Red Cross, Northeast Division, Felipe Lopez, NBA Cares ambassador, Councilman Dominic Recchia, Josh Lockwood, regional CEO, American Red Cross Greater NY  

Teaching Emergency Preparedness on Long Island

More than 50 people attended a free Be Red Cross Ready preparedness event at St. Anne’s Church in Brentwood, N.Y., today. Jeff O'Neill, Red Cross community recovery specialist, and Nathan Ward, Red Cross AmeriCorps volunteer, taught the class.

An additional 14 Red Cross volunteers, all of whom assisted with the Sandy relief effort, also took the training. A Spanish interpreter from St. Anne’s, Margarita Espinosa, translated the information for the Spanish speakers in attendance. On hand for the event were Deborah Kirnon, director of St. Anne’s Parish outreach; a representative from Senator Phillip Boyle’s office; and Long Island legislator Ricardo Montano. After the training, the volunteers went to Brentwood’s Ross Park to hand out Red Cross preparedness flyers.

 

Long Island Red Cross Volunteer Fall Social

See more photos.

Fifty American Red Cross volunteers from Long Island came out to Phelps Lane Park in North Babylon, N.Y. , Sept. 29 to enjoy great weather and great company at the Long Island volunteer picnic.

On an unusually warm and sunny Sunday, new volunteers had the opportunity to meet with experienced volunteers over a meal, and everyone was able to speak with John Miller, Long Island CEO, and Josh Lockwood, Greater New York regional CEO.

Meanwhile, volunteers’ children played in the park, had their hands and faces painted, and blew bubbles as well as munching down on their favorite foods. 

Miller, Lockwood and Liz Barker, Long Island emergency services director, thanked all the volunteers for their dedication and continued support of their communities and the Red Cross. 

Long Island Youth Step Up during the Sandy Relief Effort

Students from Central Islip High School

When American Red Cross youth volunteers on Long Island saw how Hurricane Sandy affected their communities, they were eager to contribute to the relief effort.

After Red Cross disaster volunteers received requests for school supplies in disaster impacted areas, a request went out to Red Cross High School Clubs and other youth organizations that had expressed interest in helping neighbors affected by the storm. Would they please host a school supplies drive?  

Three groups stepped up to the plate: the Central Islip High School Red Cross Club, the W.T. Clarke High School Red Cross Club, and the Howitt Middle School National Junior Honor Society. Youth volunteers from these groups collected backpacks filled with supplies—notebooks, pens, rulers, and protractors—to help children in communities that no longer had even these basic materials.

The supplies were delivered to a Disaster Recovery Center in Mastic Beach, under the guidance of Mayor Bill Biondi. They will be distributed to school children in the Mastic Beach school district on the south shore of Long Island. 

Students from W.T.Clarke High School

“We thank these groups for coming together to help their peers during this time of need,” said Doha Ali, Red Cross Volunteer & Youth Services Associate. “The families and children the youth groups helped are truly thankful for their support.”