In Case You Missed It - May 31

Little ones helped Red Crossers write thank you letters to veterans for Memorial Day at the Intrepid Museum. (Photo: Brett Whysel)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 201 adults and 61 children following 37 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday, teams of Red Crossers responded to a fire in Mount Vernon that destroyed two houses and left multiple families homeless. Temporary shelter was set up at the Mount Vernon armory. Lohud reported on the disaster.
• In honor of Memorial Day, we caught up with veteran and Service to the Armed Forces volunteer, Bob Reggio.
• Additionally, our Staten Island Disaster Action Team marched in the Staten Island Memorial Day parade.
• Also for Memorial Day, Red Cross volunteers were at the Intrepid Air & Space Museum all weekend giving thanks to the veterans and service members who have sacrificed so much for our country, and distributing information on the Red Cross’ various programs. 
• On Thursday New York Red Cross board member Jennifer Rademaker hosted a career planning seminar at our HQ in Hell's Kitchen.
• In this week’s #MyRedCrossLife Instagram post, Antwan Peterson talks about the empathy he feels while responding to the scene of a fire.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• June 2, 6, 9: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• June 9: The Long Island Red Cross is holding its annual Red and White Dinner Dance Fundraiser. Enter for a chance to win a 2016 Mercedes-Benz at Rallye Motors in Roslyn. The drawing will be held at the ball.
• June 11: #GetAlarmedNYC is coming to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home.
• June 25: The Home Fire Preparedness Campaign is to Port Washington, Long Island. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home.

Profile: Bob Reggio, Veteran and Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer

This Memorial Day weekend we caught up with long time Red Cross volunteer and veteran Bob Reggio to talk about his work with Service to the Armed Forces.

How long have you been with the Red Cross and when did you become Service to the Armed Forces Volunteer?

Fourteen years with the Red Cross and close to  four years with Service to the Armed Forces (SAF).

What  are your primary duties as an SAF volunteer?

I'm a case worker, following up on outcomes involving requests for emergency leaves or emergency messages. I contact the original caller making the request for a leave or for a message, and addressing problems that may exist.

What do you find most surprising in your work?

The impact difficult situations can have on me.  Also the genuine and deep appreciation so many people have for what we are doing. Recently, a service father told me he always took the Red Cross for granted but no more. I am proud to be a part of that. I guess I am surprised too at how powerful the impact of SAF can be.
       
What would you like people to know about our SAF programs?
 
The impact our work has. The variety of ways in which we offer assistance and support to the members of our Armed Forces.

To be an SAF volunteer what characteristics do you think you need?  Do you think being a veteran has helped you in this work? 

As a Case Worker, I’d say that empathy is key. Sensitivity to the problems people are facing for which SAF has been called. The ability to articulate an awareness of the problem being faced and the recognition that people are different and that they face these situations in ways that may differ from your way.  An understanding that family situations and relationships can be quite complex.

Although my service was many years ago, I think being a veteran helps. Sometimes just saying it to the families with whom you are working seems to provide a sense of reassurance and connection.

To learn more about the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces and to get involved, please visit www.redcross.org/SAF 

In Case You Missed It - May 23

Red Crossers installing free smoke alarms in the Bronx. (Photo: Vivian Moy)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 144 adults and 54 children following 48 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Saturday, Red Cross staff and volunteers were out in the Bronx installing free smoke alarms for the community. They celebrated their hard work with a potluck lunch afterwards organized by the Bronx Disaster Program Manager.
• Also on Saturday, Red Cross volunteers acted as medical spotters for the Brooklyn Half Marathon.
• On Friday, Long Island Red Cross Volunteers were at the Northport VA handing out comfort kits to service members.
• Seventeen Viacom employees celebrated the company’s 20th Viacommunity Day Anniversary by installing smoke detectors in two buildings in Harlem with the Red Cross.
• The Metro New York North Red Cross opened up a shelter for the 8 families with children that were left homeless after an early morning fire. FIOS1 reported on the disaster here.
• One of the survivors from the Yonkers fire, Carmen Lopez, described what it was like to escape the fire and how she was assisted by the Red Cross.
• FIOS1 ran a story about Long Island Red Cross volunteers who were deployed down to Texas to aid in the catastrophic flooding.
• On our latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram photo, volunteer Mike Claudio discusses the satisfaction he gets from installing smoke alarms to homes that need it.
• Also on Thursday, we welcomed a delegation of colleagues from the Red Cross in China to our NYC offices.
• On Wednedsay, Telemundo 47 visited our Manhattan HQ to talk to Red Cross reps about how we as an organization prepare for emergencies and how the general public should prepare. The segment will air on June 1.
• Late Tuesday night, Red Cross staff and volunteers provided emergency housing and financial assistance to 15 Staten Island families after a fire.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• May 23, 26, 31: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• May 27 to 29: The Red Cross will be tabling at the Intrepid during Memorial Day Weekend to distribute information about the Service to the Armed Forces Program.
• June 9: The Long Island Red Cross is holding its annual Red and White Dinner Dance Fundraiser.
• June 11: #GetAlarmedNYC is coming to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home.
• June 25: The Home Fire Preparedness Campaign is to Port Washington, Long Island. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home.

In Case You Missed It - May 16

Red Cross Volunteer Steven Thorne supporting FDNY open-houses to the public.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 62 adults and 30 children following 36 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Sunday was Peace Officers Memorial Day and the Red Cross was on hand at a ceremony on Staten Island supporting the NYPD. Our own Disaster Program Manager for Staten Island, Daniel Delgado had the honor of speaking at the event.
• Saturday was a busy day of community outreach for the Red Cross:  
• Installing free smoke alarms in Washington Heights  
• Participating in NBC4’s Health and Wellness Expo at Metlife Stadium in NJ  
• Supporting the annual FDNY open-house in all five boroughs where visitors were welcomed at more than 200 firehouses  
• Tabling in Port Washington to promote our Home Fire Preparedness Campaign 
• On Friday, we posted our latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram profile on Long Island volunteer Elaine Biller, who was recently given the Community Preparedness Award for her service. 
• On Wednesday, we had a chance to gather and celebrate our amazing volunteers who support the West Point community. Time Warner Cable News was there to cover the festive event. 
• Dedicated volunteer Phil Cogan was featured in a blog post titled the “Reflections of a Seasoned Disaster Responder.” 
• Our own Gary Chin was deployed to the massive Red Cross wildfire relief operation in Alberta, Canada. 
• Last week we also posted a blog story about our partnership with the Tzu Chi Foundation. In late April the Red Cross was honored by the organization for our home fire preparedness efforts. 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• May 16, 18, 20: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• May 19: The Citizen Preparedness Corps (CPC) is looking for more trainers and is holding presenter training sessions in Hawthorne, NY. If you are an interested in volunteering, please email olga.wallace@redcross.org. 
• May 20: City officials are holding a Fire Safety Town Hall at 5:30 pm at the Claremont Neighborhood Centers in the Bronx for residents looking to learn about fire safety.

Tzu Chi Honors Greater New York Red Cross

by Stan Frank, American Red Cross

Mr. George Chang, CEO and Executive Director for the Northeast Region of Tzu Chi, presented the award to Uikki-Onosai O’Bryant, Red Cross Disaster Program Manager, Manhattan.

On April 24, the Greater New York Red Cross Chapter was honored with a plaque presented by Mr. George Chang, CEO and Executive Director of the Northeast Region of Tzu Chi, to Uikki-Onosai O’Bryant, Disaster Program Manager, Manhattan. The plaque was in appreciation for our community efforts with the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign in which Red Cross and Tzu Chi volunteers installed more than 1,066 smoke/carbon monoxide alarms in 400 homes and apartments in Flushing, Queens during the past year.

Upon presentation of the plaque Mr. Chang said, “We are honored for the opportunity to have worked in collaboration with you and look forward to further developing our partnership to benefit our communities”.

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, which is one of our most active partners in New York City, is a nonprofit, non-governmental humanitarian organization that operates out of nine regional areas in the United States. Founded in Taiwan in 1966, Tzu Chi has more than 10 million volunteers in more than 50 countries, and more than 100,000 volunteers in the U.S. The Tzu Chi Northeast Region’s Flushing Office recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The American Red Cross worked closely with Tzu Chi in the wake of 9/11, on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and following Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

“We couldn’t ask for more in a partner,” said Uikki-Onosai. “Tzu Chi is not as well known in the U.S. as the Red Cross, but they are well known and highly respected worldwide as one of the world’s top humanitarian organizations. After 9/11 the Blue Angels, as their volunteers are called, were invaluable in helping us provide emergency services to disaster victims in New York City. They were great to work with installing smoke alarms in the Queens campaign. We are very fortunate to have them as partners.”

The plaque was presented in April at Flushing High School.

Congratulations to Tzu Chi on their 25th Anniversary in New York! We look forward to many more years of working together to prevent disasters and provide relief and compassion wherever and whenever it is needed.

In Case You Missed It May 9

Red Cross volunteer, mom and teacher Lori Ann Pizzarelli with fellow Red Crosser Mike Deleon. (Photo: Vivian Moy)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 93 adults and 31 children following 30 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Last week was National Teachers Week. To celebrate, we recognized some of the great teachers who volunteer their valuable time with the Red Cross throughout our region.
• Last Sunday was World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, a celebration our global mission and volunteers. In honor of the event we posted an interview of Anna Carlstedt, president of the Swedish Red Cross who recently visited our Chapter HQ.
• Being a mom is hard, yet somehow many find the time to volunteer. In honor of Mother’s Day we celebrated these particularly heroic volunteers. Thank you for all you do!
• On Saturday, our home fire protection team was in Mastic, Long Island installing free lifesaving smoke alarms in homes throughout the community.
• Last week our DART team, as well as other local volunteers, continued to assist in Texas following the devastating floods still affecting communities in the area.
• Last Wednesday was International Firefighters Day; we saluted these heroes who risk their lives day in and day out for our safety. Thank you for your service!
• Red Cross volunteer Nancy Soto talks about the rewards of volunteering with the Red Cross in the latest #MyRedCrossLife.
• On Tuesday Red Crossers offered support following a plane crash in Syosset, Long Island.
• The dedication of our volunteers never ceases to amaze. In the month of April volunteers in the Greater New York region contributed to an incredible 21,403 hours of service. A special shout out to our volunteers who have logged the most hours in their respective Chapters: Louis Lambros, Metro New York North; Francisco Gonzalez, New York City; and Marilyn Vallejo, Long Island. 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Calling all golf lovers! Barclays is looking for support at the PGA tour playoffs this summer from August 23-28 in Farmingdale, LI. Signing up gets you full admission to the tournament for you and a guest. Learn more about this great opportunity. Don't forget to select American Red Cross as your affiliation when you register!
• May 12, 16, 18: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• May 14: The Citizen Preparedness Corps (CPC) is looking for more trainers and is holding presenter training sessions on May 14. If you are an interested Red Cross volunteer, please email olga.wallace@redcross.org.

Red Cross Salutes Teachers: Arturo Guzman

Red Cross Salutes Teachers

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week, a time when everyone should stop to thank our educators for all they do to build strong communities. The American Red Cross in Greater New York is proud to count many wonderful teachers among our dedicated volunteers. This week, we want to spotlight their amazing commitment, compassion and talent. 

Arturo Guzman
Arturo was a teacher for over 30 years. He started as a nursery school teacher, then taught kindergarten, grades 6-7-8, and then High School students. He started to volunteer with the Red Cross over 30 years ago, after a colleague left to be an instructor with the Red Cross in Health & Safety. He saw this as an opportunity to join the Red Cross. His first volunteer role was as an instructor in teaching Health & Safety classes, too. Now, he wears a lot of hats. “I try to keep my finger on the pulse of what is going on – anywhere the Red Cross is responding – and whenever something happen, I try to respond,” he said.

Arturo is the volunteer partner to Josh Lockwood, CEO of the Greater NY Region. He lectures and teaches classes, including how to drive an ERV (emergency response vehicle). In addition, Arturo also mentioned that whenever Anastasia Hannah (Disaster Program Manager) needs help in the Bronx, he tries to drop everything to help her, too.

Q: What inspired you to be a teacher? 
A: I was inspired to be a teacher by a teacher – a drama teacher. My mom was also a great influence on my decision to be a teacher. But, I was greatly swayed by his experience with my own teachers – both good and bad. I always wanted to be one of those people who can change and influence people to think outside the box.

Q: If you wanted to share one thing about teaching with us what would it be?
A: There is an absolute intrinsic value when you see a kid’s eyes light up because they got it. Teachers do so much more than teach subjects. They teach students about socialization, appreciation, the ability to get along with others and work with others, to give back when you have. These are messages that are so crucial and often are left to teachers, in many cases, to influence students to grasp what they are trying to teach.

If there is one message I always shared with my students it was to start a change in your own life at home. Then give back to the community.

Q: What characteristics do you think a teacher and a Red Cross volunteer have in common?
A: I think teachers and volunteer both want to give back to the community.  They want to instill in people that they are an important part of the community. It took me a long time to explain to students that volunteers don’t get paid in money, they get paid in something more intrinsic. Educators strive to get students to be good citizens and at the Red Cross, we do the same thing.