Thank you to all our volunteers!

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 10-16, 2011), I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for working tirelessly to fulfill the American Red Cross mission. This year’s theme, Celebrating People in Action, aptly describes the Metro New York Region’s volunteers. Red Cross volunteers are doers. Red Cross volunteers are people in action.

Our region has more than 11,000 volunteers from all walks of life. They come together with one common purpose—to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Considering that our region is the Nation’s largest—serving more than 13 million people—that is a tremendous task

Red Cross volunteers like you are always ready to step in and help people down the street, across the nation and around the world. Last year, you helped us bring lifesaving safety courses such as first aid, CPR, babysitting and care giving to over 300,000 people. You helped us serve veterans, members of the military, and their families. You supported our critical mission-related work through general office support.

And of course, you helped us provide food, shelter, comfort and hope to over 15,000 area residents affected by over 2,500 local disasters—from house fires to floods, and even tornados—you were there.

So, on behalf of everyone throughout our region, I send this heartfelt “Thank You!”
Warm regards,

Vikki Pryor
CEO, American Red Cross Metro NY Region

“The Red Cross plays an essential role in emergencies.”

Jim Dowling works in the corporate offices of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), an international medical technology company. Although his job and family life keep him rather busy, Jim still finds the time to volunteer for the American Red Cross in Greater New York.

Jim, an Orange County Red Cross Disaster Action Team member, is very active in Mass Care as a Shelter Supervisor and as a Disaster Assessment Lead in the Lower Hudson Valley. In March 2010, for 24 hours he helped run a community shelter in Monroe, NY during a storm. He also responded to two fires last year. “We were there to comfort people and offer temporary shelter, food and clothing,” said Jim.

Due to his volunteer efforts for the Red Cross, Jim was recognized by his employer, BD, and received its 2010 Henry P. Becton Volunteer Impact Award. Recipients of this award must demonstrate a long-term commitment to giving their time and talents to helping members of their community. As part of the honor, BD will make a financial donation to the Red Cross in Jim’s name.

“From January through September 2010,” said Jim “volunteers in the Greater New York chapter responded to almost 1,800 fires, floods, building collapses and other emergencies, assisting nearly 9,670 people with emergency housing, food and clothing. The Red Cross plays an essential role in emergencies such as these to help people recover from disasters.”
 
Jim Dowling, Lower Hudson Valley