In Case You Missed It – Oct 21

Red Cross Volunteers invited to sit in the Judge's Chamber section of
Yankees Stadium during play-offs. (Photo: Zivia Ackerman)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 165 adults and 53 children following 53 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

•  On Sunday, PIX11 news reported a Brooklyn apartment fire that left 12 people displaced. On the scene was Greater NY Red Cross Responder, Sebastian Alverius providing information and aid to those in need during the fire.
• Over the weekend, Greater NY Red Cross formalized its community partnership with MiraistasUSA by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.
• We are grateful to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries who joined volunteers in installing free smoke alarms in his community. 
• Last Friday, the New York Yankees recognized our hard-working Red Cross volunteers after their quick response to the 5-Alarm fire on Grand Concourse, by inviting them to Friday night's playoff win.
• We said farewell to Metro NY North Red Cross CEO Mary Young. Best wishes! You'll be missed!
• Wonderful news at the Metro NY North Chapter All-Hands Meeting! Debbie Bausenwein was promoted to Chapter Care Coordinator, and Mass Care Manager Shonda Scott receives certificate for becoming a Core Capability Volunteer.
• The second episode of our "Humanitarians of NY" podcast is available now! Red Cross Volunteer Vivian Moy shares with us her adventure to Solferino, Italy, the birthplace of the Red Cross.
• Last Wednesday, we held our annual #RedCrossGala celebrating "Heroes Among Us." Congrats to all our honorees: Heroes of the Paradise, CA Wildfires, local good samaritans who saved lives with CPR, JLL and Dr. Jeff Vacirca and HBO

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Recovery Caseworker, Engagement Volunteer, Disaster Spiritual Care, Emergency Management Agency Team. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.  
• Nov 6: Join us at our Volunteer Fair from 2pm to 6 pm! Explore volunteer opportunities from over 20 disaster relief non-profit organizations in the NYC area.
• Nov 14: Join the Red Cross Young Patrons' Old Hollywood Soirée for a night of conversation, drinks, live music and old Hollywood enchantment at the beautiful and historic Players Club on Gramercy Park.

In Case You Missed It – Oct 14

Long Island Red Cross Home fire Volunteers installed 83 alarms in Suffolk County. Photo: Lori-Ann Pizzarelli

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 77 adults and 22 children following 43 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• On Sunday, Sr. Director of Disaster Operations, Trevor Riggen was an Eminent Judge at the 2019 IBM Call for Code Global Challenge. Congratulations to the winning team Prometeo for their innovative AI technology.
• Red Cross volunteer Vivian Moy tweets her adventure! She spoke at our national headquarters in DC about the annual the Red Cross celebrations in Solferino, Italy last June.
• We are thankful to our Long Island Red Cross Volunteers for their dedication to providing safety to their community. They installed 83 alarms in Suffolk County on Saturday. 
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies teams have been participating in the trending #TetrisChallenge,
• This Thursday, we recognized #WorldMentalHealthDay by sharing our first podcast episode, a conversation with psychologist Alec Cecil.
• Get a preview of our Heroes Among Us Red Cross Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan this Wednesday. This year we’ll be honoring and recognizing Jeff Vacirca, MD (CEO of NYCBS), HBO, JLL, CPR Heroes and Paradise, CA Wildfire Heroes.
• This #FirePreventionWeek our community leaders are taking action. Join Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, and Senator John Brooks in helping promote fire safety.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Recovery Caseworker, Engagement Volunteer, Disaster Mental Health. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Oct 16: We will celebrate the 2019 Red Cross Heroes Among Us Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York.
• Nov 6: Join us at The American Red Cross of Greater New York's volunteer fair event from 2pm to 6 pm! Explore volunteer opportunities from over 20 of the most profound disaster relief non-profit organizations in the NYC area. Sign up here.

In Case You Missed It - Oct 7

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 168 adults and 62 children following 51 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

• Thrilled to launch our inaugural podcast series last week! On our first episode, we chatted with Alec Cecil, volunteer and psychologist who provides emotional support following local emergencies as well as disasters outside our region.
• Throughout the weekend, our Red Cross teams helped dozens of families displaced by a massive fire on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Thank you to all who have supported these efforts.
• We joined the 30th Anniversary of Yorktown Community Day on Saturday, sharing some fire safety tips at the Jefferson Valley Mall.
• Big thanks to the Common Man restaurants and their patrons for supporting the Red Cross response to Hurricane Dorian.
• On Friday, our Board Members were invited to represent the Red Cross at the Long Island Association autumn luncheon in Woodbury, New York.
• Our Red Cross Gala is approaching! At the event, we will honor a group of heroes from last year’s devastating California wildfires. Check out this video we shared last Friday on social media.
• On Monday, ABC 7, Newsday, LI Herald and Patch reported on a large fire on Valley Stream (Long Island), where Red Cross teams aided four displaced families.
• Half Hollow Hills invited us to their school to teach emergency preparedness.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Recovery Caseworker, Engagement Volunteer, Disaster Mental Health. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• October 16, 2019: We will celebrate the 2019 Red Cross Heroes Among Us Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York.
• November 6, 2019: Join us at The American Red Cross of Greater New York's volunteer fair event from 2pm to 6 pm! Explore volunteer opportunities from over 20 of the most profound disaster relief non-profit organizations in the NYC area. Sign up here.

American Red Cross in Greater NY Podcast - Alec Cecil

The American Red Cross in Greater New York Podcast is a collection of short, intimate conversations with everyday heroes who give back and help others suffering from trauma and tragedy. In these episodes, they share personal stories of altruism and compassion. The theme of this first season is "Humanitarians of New York".

Episode 1 - Keep Calm and Be There for Others 

"When you see some of the real tragedies that people go through and how resilient they can be and how they find their way back, and you know there were a little part of helping them do that, it is very rewarding”, Alec Cecil, Pelham, N.Y.

Alec Cecil is a psychologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, working primarily with underserved adolescents and young adults and their families.

He joined the American Red Cross in 2001 after the crash of AA Flight 587 in Queens. As part of his work with the Red Cross, Alec volunteers with the organization's Service to the Armed Forces Program (running Reconnection Workshops), he teaches Psychological First Aid and Disaster Mental Health Fundamentals, and he deploys nationally to provide Disaster Mental Health support following major emergencies like Hurricane Harvey and the Parkland shooting.

Producer: Chi Kong Lui, American Red Cross in Greater NY
Editor: Sue Tran, American Red Cross in Greater NY
Hosts: Michael de Vulpillieres and Abigail Adams, American Red Cross in Greater NY

American Red Cross in Greater NY Launches Podcast Series

The American Red Cross in Greater New York Region launched today its inaugural podcast series, a collection of short, intimate conversations with everyday heroes who give back and help others suffering from trauma and tragedy.



Through these unique New York stories, the podcast will feature individuals directly affiliated with the Red Cross and others with no direct connection to the organization. What these people have in common are their personal stories of altruism and compassion. The theme of this first season of the Greater NY Red Cross podcast is "Humanitarians of New York".

“In these divisive and uncertain times in which we live, it is heartening to hear stories that uplift us and bring us together,” said Susan Rounds, Interim CEO, American Red Cross in Greater NY. “Behind the scenes at every emergency are selfless heroes who do whatever necessary to help ease the pain of those suffering.”

The podcast launched today, October 2, 2019. New episodes will be available every two weeks after that. As they are released, episodes be available on iTunes and on the official Greater NY Red Cross blog.

Some of the individuals featured:

• A psychologist, father of three and volunteer who offers his time and expertise to individuals coping with tragedy. Click here to listen.
• A dog owner who started a pet therapy group in her community to help bring comfort to adults and children alike.
• A young emergency management professional who was first introduced with humanitarian work at the age of 13.
• A Rabbi who carries his family tradition of service forward by providing a safe space for those suffering during a disaster
• A mother of two from Long Island whose volunteerism began with the PTA and has led her on adventure across Long Island, the USA, and around the world
• A former financial services executive who volunteers his time regularly to deliver emergency relief to victims of local fires and other local disasters.
• Residents of Paradise, California who, in the face of the deadliest wildfires in CA history, took action and saved lives. Though not form NY they will be honored by the American Red Cross in Greater NY in October.
• An IT professional who travels the world to help build telecommunications networks in disaster zones.

In Case You Missed It - Sept 30

Francesco Rocca, President of the IFRC, visited our offices last week
(Photo: @Francescorocca)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 96 adults and 32 children following 42 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Our Long Island Chapter held its Annual Volunteer Recognition Event last Wednesday night. Congratulations to all the honorees!
• Senator Diane Savino joined our Sound the Alarm Program last week, inviting New Yorkers to set up an appointment with the Red Cross and get free smoke alarms.
• On Wednesday, we welcomed the President of the IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) to our offices.
• Check out this touching testimony of Carlos Blanco, who turned to the Red Cross earlier this month after a fire destroyed his apartment in the Bronx.
• Last Wednesday and Thursday we had orientation sessions in Long Island, NYC and Metro NY North for residents to learn more about our mission and our many volunteer opportunities.
• September was National #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, a condition that affects nearly 100,000 Americans. Learn about the disease and how to donate blood through the Red Cross.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Visual Storyteller, Disability Integration Volunteer, Transportation Volunteer, Recruitment Support Volunteer, Home Fire Campaign Volunteer, Emergency Communication Center Dispatcher. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• October 16, 2019: We will celebrate the 2019 Red Cross Heroes Among Us Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York.

In Case You Missed It - Sept 23

Ethel Gaillard received the Pet Therapy Award at the Metro New York North Chapter
Volunteer Recognition Event (Photo: Matt LaMonica)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 108 adults and 35 children following 45 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

• Feeling proud! AM New York featured our NYC Good Samaritan Heroes who will be recognized at the upcoming American Red Cross Heroes Among US Gala, on October 16.
• On Wednesday night, our Metro New York North Chapter held its Annual Volunteer Recognition Event at Crabtree's Kittle House in Chappaqua. Check out some pics of the event.
• Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner encouraged NY residents to take full advantage of the Red Cross free smoke alarm installation to protect lives #EndHomeFires.
• Port Authority NY&NJ spent their volunteer day of service last Tuesday installing free smoke alarms and providing fire safety education with us at Co-Op City.
• It’s been two years since Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico and the American Red Cross continues to help those affected.
• Our Red Cross teams aided several families displaced by a fire on Parkville Ave in Brooklyn on Monday night.
• Earlier in the week our team member Raul Rivera-Nunez deployed to the Bahamas to support international Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. We could not be prouder!
• We recently shared this tribute to our friend (and member of our Red Cross family) Alexis DeFreitas-Liburd, who left us earlier this month. Alexis “represented a powerful force for good in this world and exemplified how a life that touches others goes on forever.” Our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Visual Storyteller, Disability Integration Volunteer, Transportation Volunteer, Recruitment Support Volunteer, Home Fire Campaign Volunteer, Emergency Communication Center Dispatcher. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org.
• Sept 25, 26: Learn about the mission and vision of the American Red Cross and the many volunteer opportunities that are available for you at an upcoming Orientation Session in Long Island, NYC and Metro NY North! Some current opportunities that will be discussed include Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery, Home Fire Campaign, Communications, and more. Light refreshments will be provided!
• October 16, 2019: We will celebrate the 2019 Red Cross Heroes Among Us Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, New York.