In Case You Missed It - Feb 27

Families of service members build comfort kits for their loved ones and other veterans.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 182 adults and 66 children following 50 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Our thoughts went to family, friends and the City of Mount Vernon on Sunday morning after a tragic fire in the area. The Red Cross was there behind the scene with the family providing care, comfort and compassion.
• On Saturday, families of servicemen and women who were recently deployed to the Middle East gathered at the chapter to build comfort kits for their loved ones as well as get a briefing of Red Cross services available to them.
• Also on Saturday, Red Cross Volunteers, as part of the #GetAlarmedNYC campaign installed 83 free smoke alarms in 47 homes throughout Jackson Heights, Queens.
• Week after week, we continue to train to be prepared for disasters. 50 dedicated volunteers packed into our Hawthorne office for an all-day Facilities Management Training Workshop.
• With a new generation of Pokémon out on the loose for the popular mobile app Pokémon Go, we asked players be mindful of their safety while playing with this video.
• On Thursday, Red Crossers taught emergency preparedness skills to members of the Forever Young Social Club in the Bronx.
• On Wednesday, 65 Red Cross Clubs members took part in a “Mapathon” that mapped over 10,500 structures for the city of Blantyre, Malawi.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Feb 28, Mar 2, 3: Red Cross blood drive: 2 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Mar 4: Metro New York North Red Cross will be holding its annual Volunteer Recognition Event at the Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor, NY.
• Mar 6: The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross is a free 2-hour class that describes the history of these Principles that guide the work and decisions of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. RSVP today to learn more about this vital international component of the Red Cross.
• Mar 23: Please join us at the American Red Cross for a panel discussion, HEALTH CARE IN DANGER - Violence Against Medical Assistance in Armed Conflict, featuring a distinguished group of panelists. This event is part of an international public awareness campaign spearheaded by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2011 to address this violence and ensure safe access to and delivery of health care in armed conflict and other emergencies. RSVP here today.

In Case You Missed It - Feb 20

Students of Primrose Elementary assembled comfort kits for Stephanie Crispinelli Day. (Photo: Carolyn Sherwin)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 114 adults and 34 children following 51 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Many thanks to Long Island Red Cross volunteers who assisted this family who lost their their home of 65 years to a fire on Sunday.
• On Saturday, the Metro New York North Red Cross held a lively Bulk Distribution 101 class at our Middletown Warehouse site. #AlwaysBeTraining
• For our latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram, we discovered what was Long Island Red Cross volunteer Trudy Culley's most memorable experience during her deployment to Georgia for tornado relief. Trudy was also featured last week in the Williston Times.
• On Thursday, Red Cross Board Members including John "Ozzy" Osborne "walked the talk" by getting CPR trained.
• It’s not every day we respond to a fire and help neighbors across the street from our office. That happened last Wednesday.
• For Valentines Day, we wanted to share the story of three couples who are brought closer together through volunteering at the Red Cross: Rick and Nancy Stein, Deborah Kerr and Michael Hoeft and Conrad and Sarah Meyer.
• Also on Tuesday, students of Primrose Elementary School and Somers High School along with Metro New York North Red Crossers assembled nearly 150 special comfort kits for Stephanie Crispinelli Day, a wonderful annual event to honor the memory of a remarkable humanitarian. 
• Just in time for the Westminster Dog Show, we shared 9 tips for keeping your pets warm and safe this winter.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Feb 21, 24, 27: Red Cross blood drive: 2 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Mar 4: Metro New York North Red Cross will be holding its annual Volunteer Recognition Event at the Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor, NY.
• Mar 6: The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross is a free 2-hour class that describes the history of these Principles that guide the work and decisions of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. RSVP today to learn more about this vital international component of the Red Cross.
• Mar 23: Please join us at the American Red Cross for a panel discussion, HEALTH CARE IN DANGER - Violence Against Medical Assistance in Armed Conflict, featuring a distinguished group of panelists. This event is part of an international public awareness campaign spearheaded by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 2011 to address this violence and ensure safe access to and delivery of health care in armed conflict and other emergencies. RSVP here today.

In Case You Missed It - Feb 13

Photo: Ronnie Rigos

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 84 adults and 44 children following 48 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Over the weekend, we posted an interview on our blog with Long Islander Trudy Culley who was deployed to Georgia following the multiple tornadoes that tore through several Southeast states.
• Last Saturday, amazing Red Crossers from Nassau and Suffolk Counties came out to install almost 100 free smoke alarms in 15 towns across Long Island. 
• On Friday we shared the story of Alma Bakratsas and her family, who were alerted to a potentially deadly carbon monoxide (CO) leak in their home thanks to their smoke/CO alarm recently installed by Red Cross volunteers. 
• In our latest #MyRedCrossLife Instagram post, volunteer David Weil tells us how the Red Cross is a good fit for his life. 
• Last Thursday, we saw our first significant snowstorm of the winter and the Red Cross mobilized throughout our region. LI Red Cross CEO Neela Lockel did a phone interview with News 12 about being prepared. 
• All the snow didn’t prevent our Staten Island response team from springing into action to serve residents and first responders following a fatal fire on Post Ave.
• Rachael Ray showed "a lot of heart" on her show last week helping to promote blood donations and healthy eating as part of American Heart Month.
• We were deeply saddened and appalled to learn of the deaths last week of six of our international colleagues working in Afghanistan.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• Feb 15, 16, 20: Red Cross blood drive: 2 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
• Feb 18: Want to become a part of the Red Cross Movement and help change the world one community at a time? Register to attend our volunteer orientation and learn about the many ways you can impact your community and make new friends by volunteering with the American Red Cross.

Best (and Safest) in Show

Puppy Preparedness: 9 Tips to Keep Your Pets Warm and Safe This Winter
By Matthew Hurst, American Red Cross Greater NY Region

If you’re like us, you’ve got puppies on your mind as New York City hosts the annual Westminster Dog Show this week! We’ll be watching along while the pups parade, strutting their stuff and wagging their tails inside Madison Square Garden. The atmosphere inside will help distract us from the snow and cold that has been sweeping through New York these pas few days. The dogs on stage also remind us that for pets to look their best they need protection from the harsh winter conditions outside and they need to be as prepared as possible for the unexpected.

So what can you do to protect and prepare your pets during the winter? Here are a few simple tips to keep them safe:

1. Bring your pets inside! It’s cold out there, and what’s bad for us is also bad for man’s best friend.

2. Be careful around space heaters! Space heaters pose many risks. Not only can they burn your pet, your pet can also knock them over and start a fire.

3. Be mindful of the paws! Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate a pet’s paws. Wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth.

4. If pets cannot come indoors, keep them warm  in a dry, draft-free space large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to keep them warm.

5. Dress your dog in style for winter weather and make sure they are wearing a collar or ID tag with their name and your cell phone number.

6. These days, there’s an app for everything, including keeping your dog safe. Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for iOS and Android smartphones. 

7. Love may be the best medicine, but if your doggy gets meds from the vet, be sure to keep some in supply in case you get snowed in this winter.

8. Be ready by keeping a preparedness kit for your pets all year long. It should include food, water, and any medications for your pets. A chew toy would also be a nice gesture.

9. And in case of an emergency evacuation, never leave your pet behind in the cold. Remember, if it’s not safe enough for you, it’s not safe enough for your pet. 

You like these photos? Check out the full series here. Thanks to our friends at Good Dog Therapy for sharing!

Valentine Greeting to Red Cross Volunteer Couples: Sarah & Conrad

by Stan Frank, American Red Cross

If an individual can find great reward in volunteering with the American Red Cross, it stands to reason that a couple can double the reward! That’s exactly what several couples at the American Red Cross in Greater New York have discovered. This Valentine's Day, we celebrate some of their stories.

Conrad and Sarah Meyer

Most Tuesday evenings, Sarah and Conrad Meyer volunteer together  as Disaster Action Team (DAT) members in the Bronx

Conrad and Sarah Meyer have been married for 36 years and each has their own interests and activities. But at the Greater New York Red Cross, they are one of several couples who work together as volunteers for the Disaster Action Team serving the region.

After retiring from successful careers in financial services, Conrad and Sarah sought to give back by helping others. Conrad has been on the board of the Greater New York Red Cross for more than a dozen years and has been volunteering with Sarah as DAT members for the past five years.

“Bringing shelter, food and clothing to those affected by disasters brings us great personal gratification,” said Conrad. “Working with others on our team whom we respect and consider to be good friends, and seeing first-hand the results of our efforts is the most satisfying work we can do.”

Thank you Sarah and Conrad for all you do for the American Red Cross and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine Greeting to Red Cross Volunteer Couples: Deborah & Michael

by Stan Frank, American Red Cross

If an individual can find great reward in volunteering with the American Red Cross, it stands to reason that a couple can double the reward! That’s exactly what several couples at the American Red Cross in Greater New York have discovered. This Valentine's Day, we celebrate some of their stories.

Deborah Kerr and Michael Hoeft

Deborah Kerr and Michael Hoeft have known one another for nearly 17 years and have been together as a couple for just over two years. They have volunteered together for the Red Cross on Long Island for a little over a year, but have a long history of volunteering with the organization: Michael started volunteering with the New Jersey Region in 2009 and Deborah on Long Island in 2000.

For the Red Cross, Deborah serves as a Disaster Action Team Captain (DAT) as well as a Shelter Manager. Professionally, Deborah works as a Legal Assistant, doing contract work for a large petroleum company on Long Island. As a volunteer, Michael worked with Disaster Services Technology (DST). He recently joined the Greater New York team as the Logistics Program Support Manager after he retired with 26 years of service with the rank of Lieutenant from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department.

Deborah Kerr and Michael Hoeft volunteer together on Long Island.

In addition to volunteering with the Red Cross, Deborah and Michael both volunteer their time and service as Amateur Radio Operators and are active members of several local emergency communications organizations and Amateur Radio Clubs. They spend quite a bit of time annually managing amateur radio volunteers for three events in Manhattan: the TCS New York City Marathon, the United Airlines NYC Half-Marathon, and the LifeTime Tri New York City Triathlon. Deborah also serves as president of the ECSARC – a partner group of the American Red Cross, which operates out of its home base at the Red Cross’s Long Island office in Mineola.

Asked why they volunteer, Deborah said, “We both volunteer for several organizations and enjoy being able to give back to others. We both enjoyed great careers and volunteering was always a way to give something back, demonstrate our capabilities, and work alongside many exceptional people that give their time for nothing more than a ‘thank you’.”

Thank you Deb and Mike for all you do for the American Red Cross and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine Greeting to Red Cross Volunteer Couples: Rick & Nancy

by Stan Frank, American Red Cross

If an individual can find great reward in volunteering with the American Red Cross, it stands to reason that a couple can double the reward! That’s exactly what several couples at the American Red Cross in Greater New York have discovered. This Valentine's Day, we celebrate some of their stories.

Rick and Nancy Stein

Rick Stein is a proud Instructor of The Pillowcase Project and a Community Ambassador

Rick and Nancy Stein were learned of the Red Cross 20 years ago when Red Cross instructors came to Chappaqua, New York to offer Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) to local residents. Since then, the Stein’s, both of whom are now retired, have been active volunteers in many Red Cross activities in the Metro New York North Red Cross Chapter.

They started out as Disaster Action Team (DAT) responders, for which they became certified Emergency Response Vehicle Drivers. Both have helped at many shelter activities and Nancy has served as the feeding lead on many occasions. Both frequently canteen at disasters and at other activities in support of local first responders, and enjoy acting as 'friends and family' at Westchester Airport emergency drills.

Nancy Stein is a Disaster Action Team Responder 

and works with kids in the Pillowcase Project

Nancy is an active participant in The Pillowcase Project where Rick is also certified instructor. Rick is also a Red Cross Community Ambassador and part of their Mass Care Leadership Team. Both Nancy and Rick help support their local Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Group and perform Logistics functions whenever volunteers are needed in an emergency.

When asked what they get out of volunteering for the Red Cross, Rick responds, “We enjoy the comradeship of the Red Cross volunteers and staff. Fortunately, we are in a position to ‘give back’ and feel both a desire and an obligation to do so. Without doubt, it is far better to give than to receive!”

Thank you Rick and Nancy for all you do to support the American Red Cross and happy Valentine's Day!