Monday, June 29, 2020

In Case You Missed It — June 29

Red Cross volunteers worked to distribute care packages to those working at
Coney Island Hospital, as part of the NYC Healthcare Heroes Initiative. (Photo: Sanasa Kaba)

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 76 adults and 17 children following 43 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week In Review

Upcoming Events and Activities
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Wednesday, June 24, 2020

“Three Questions” with Red Cross Volunteer Maria Anguiano

by Yixuan (Shirley) Luo, American Red Cross in Greater New York

 "Three Questions” is an American Red Cross in Greater New York blog series featuring staff, volunteers, and partners who help carry out our humanitarian mission. Through these short interviews, we hope to shine a light on our different programs and get to know those who make this work possible.

Maria Anguiano is a Red Cross volunteer from Queens, N.Y. who has been a very active member of our disaster response team. She originally joined us as a member of MIRA USA, a non-profit organization that promotes the social integration of immigrants in the United States. Since the pandemic, she began supporting our different COVID-19 missions including the NYC Healthcare Heroes initiative. When she is not volunteering with the Red Cross, Maria works as a DJ and an event planner. Maria was born in Puebla, Mexico and came to the U.S. when she was eight.

How do you approach your volunteer work as a DAT (disaster action team) responder, helping families recover from fires?

It is an unfortunate situation to see someone who has just lost everything to a fire or learn of a loss of life. Seeing these families in such a situation is difficult. It is even harder to see little kids around. Especially in the wintertime, it is heartbreaking to see that they have nothing, and they are shivering and shaking. Most of them do not know that we, the Red Cross, respond to home fires. When seeing the little kids’ innocent faces…and happiness receiving our Oreos, stuffed animals or other assistance, I feel I am making a difference. More importantly, I realized how beautiful the Red Cross mission is and what the Red Cross is doing — to step up to help those in need.

On top of that, it was also very impactful for me to understand that language is often the biggest barrier in the disaster response. Coming from the Hispanic community, I am able to make Spanish-speaking people feel more comfortable at the scene. I realized that I am able to help the Red Cross to better connect with the Latino community.

How has your Red Cross volunteer work changed since the COVID-19 crisis started?

I am blessed to be part of the whole COVID mission. I have been to the hospitals as much as I can, to hand out supplies to healthcare workers. I am out at the field almost every day, and sometimes, I even do two shifts per day. Sometimes I do JASA [food distribution to elderly NYers] as well, delivering frozen meals to 1200 apartments of the senior housing complex in Far Rockaway. I also helped with The Salvation Army, picking up and delivering pizzas for vulnerable families. Two weeks ago, I was able to help the community of Hempstead where I go to church. We picked up meals and boxes and delivered them to different homes.


How does it feel to be giving back during coronavirus?

Unfortunately, at the same time, my parents were in the hospital because of COVID, and my dad was in a coma, I had to take care of them prior, during, and after the hospital. That period was tough for me, but I am relieved that they are okay now. It was emotional when I saw the hospital workers who helped my parents and I thought I had to give back to them. I was tearing and I genuinely appreciated their efforts. Between their shifts, you can feel that they are tired, drained and they have no energy but are saying “thank you” to us. “No, thank you! Don’t worry, we got a lot of goodies for you,” I said. I am truly grateful for being able to give back to the healthcare workers and being part of the Red Cross mission.


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Tuesday, June 23, 2020

In Case You Missed It - June 23

A moment from our Long Island Red Cross Heroes Among Us Gala,
that celebrated our mission and partners who made our work possible.

Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 93 adults and 62 children following 43 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week In Review

Upcoming Events and Activities
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020

In Case You Missed It - June 16


Red Cross's mental health tips were featured on Morgan Stanley's billboards in Times Square.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 66 adults and 21 children following 35 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week In Review



Upcoming Events and Activities
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Monday, June 8, 2020

In Case You Missed It – June 8

Eight of our Red Cross team members traveled to Texas and Louisiana
when the Tropical Storm Cristobal hit to help those in need. (Photo: Lenia Kiki)
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 71 adults and  21 children following 36 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)

Last Week In Review

Upcoming Events and Activities
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Tuesday, June 2, 2020

In Case You Missed It - June 2

DJ David Guetta and NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray came out to support NYC Healthcare Heroes at Harlem Hospital.
Over the last seven days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 62 adults and 17 children following 33 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (See below)


Last Week In Review

Upcoming Events and Activities
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Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Red Cross Brings Community Together To Help Long Island Resident Recover From Home Fire Amid COVID-19

Celia Vollmer (L) and Edras Hidalgo (R)
It’s an uncertain time. In addition to the daily doubts caused by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, Josselyn experienced another emergency: a fire that has destroyed her home and injured her body.

Just eight months after she moved to New York and rented a tiny basement apartment with her son, the lamp near her suddenly caught on fire when she was sleeping. Josselyn tried to quell the fire by pouring as much water as possible on it. Although she managed to get the fire under control, all of her belongings were destroyed by smoke and water, and her right hand and right foot were burned in the process.

Josselyn doesn’t speak English, has no family in New York and was struggling financially, as she is out of work due to the pandemic. She was unsure where to seek assistance from her community because of the language barrier. At the advice of one of her neighbors, she called the American Red Cross on Long Island and explained her situation and fear to her caseworker, Edras Hidalgo, over the phone.

“It was hard to believe the whole picture and the kind of hardship that she and her son have gone through,” recalled Edras.

“I don’t know,” said Josselyn in Spanish. “I have no relatives [in New York]. I have nobody. I don’t know the area. I don’t have food for my son. Red Cross is the only source that I think somebody can help me.”

After hearing Josselyn’s situation, Edras was moved to action. “I kept asking myself: what would I do when this happened to my relative or my sister,” said Edras. He understood Josselyn needed more than just money. “When she said that she didn’t have food for her son, I knew how bad the situation was and what kind of hardships she has gone through.” After calming her down over the phone, Edras promptly called Celia Vollmer, the Disaster Action Team Captain, to find possible ways that the Red Cross can help Josselyn with its network.

Working together, Celia and Edras were able to connect Josselyn with Red Cross resources as well as partner resources to assist her with her recovery. For example, the Red Cross’ Disaster Health Services (DHS) Team provided Josselyn financial assistance to purchase medication and bandaging supplies for her injuries. A local school in the district was able to provide her son a tablet and some school supplies. The Cental Islip Civic Association offered food, and the local police department provided new furniture for the family. A few local police officers even provided her gift cards paid out of their own pockets.

“One of the cops was attempting to give her son an air hug because he had to follow the social distancing protocol,” Edras said, recalling the special way to spread love and warmth during this tough time.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, each step of the way, this aid was coordinated via the phone, to maintain social distancing guidelines. Throughout the process, Edras served as both caseworker and as a translator for Josselyn.

“They see me as the Red Cross and as a part of the community. This is what links us to provide help and support altogether,” Edras said proudly. “It is rewarding to be Josselyn’s caseworker and to empower her and guide her through the recovery.”
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