In Case You Missed It

Nielsen volunteers helping prepare Red Hood resident to be Red Cross Ready
(Picture: Kanhong Lin)

Upcoming Events

• June 21: Emergency Preparedness Day in Far Rockaway
  The event will take place in Arverne by the Bay Community Center, starting at 10 a.m. Participants will attend a "Be Red Cross Ready" training, learn about hurricane evacuation tips and take part in a hands-only CPR demonstration.
  
  For more information and to register, call (212)875-2189 or e-mail outreach.gny@redcross.org.

Weekend Roundup

• Fire on Riverdale Ave
  A Red Cross team provided emotional and financial assistance to two families (six adults and four children) affected by the fire. A temporary reception center was set up where the Red Cross team could meet the families and provide further assistance. The electrical fire was caused by a fallen wire.

Last Week in Review

• Red Cross helped 29 people at the fire scene in Elmhurst on Monday night.
• Red Cross assisted three families impacted by the fire on McLean Ave on Thursday
• Red Cross provided emotional assistance to residents after small plane crash
• Red Cross provided emergency assistance to one family affected by a three-alarm fire in Harlem on Friday
• Sponsored by our partner AECOM, Red Cross hosted our third annual blood drive in Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall.
• Nielsen volunteers headed to Brooklyn to help Red Hook residents become Red Cross Ready. 

  

  (Picture: Kanhong Lin)

CITI and Red Cross Team Up to Help Service Members

Photo: Syncere Zakee

See more photos 

CITI employees and their families came to American Red Cross Greater NY Headquarters earlier this month to help bring comfort and caring to U.S. military veterans. They did so by hand writing “Thank You for Serving” notes and assembling personal hygiene comfort kits into which the notes will be placed. The 2,200 kits created that afternoon will be distributed to veterans at the Bronx and Manhattan Veteran’s Administrations.

Josh Lockwood, CEO, Greater New York Region, addressed the group. “The Red Cross provides compassionate care throughout a service member’s career and beyond through our Service to the Armed Forces program,” he said. “This is to ensure that our heroes receive the assistance they need.” He added, “It’s wonderful to see you all here today helping to provide that assistance.”

Earlier in the week, CITI employees wrote cards and assembled 1,200 comfort kits at CITI offices at 388 Greenwich Street. 

All of the kits will be distributed to the Bronx and Manhattan Veteran’s Administrations, with the cards included in each kit.

Red Cross Teams Providing Assistance Following Plane Crash in Harrison, N.Y.

NEW YORK, June 13, 2014—Following this morning’s fatal crash of a small plane in Harrison, N.Y., American Red Cross teams are at the scene to provide assistance to those who may need it. Among those responding are Red Cross mental-health staff who will provide emotional support to those who have been impacted by this incident. Additional Red Cross volunteers are also present to support residents and first responders at the scene. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic event.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NY or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossNY.

Homecoming for Staten Island Family Displaced by Sandy

On June 11, 2014, the American Red Cross gathered with other organizations including the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and New York Disaster Interfaith Services to welcome home the Auer family of Staten Island, nearly twenty months after Sandy’s landfall. To see photos of the homecoming celebration, click here.

The two-bedroom bungalow of John and Laura Auer, married for 37 years, was severely damaged when Superstorm Sandy made landfall on October 29, 2012.  John’s parents had purchased the home in 1938 and it had been passed down in the family.

“When my husband and son dragged me out, the water was up to my chest,” Laura Auer said. “When it was all said and done it was way over my head.”

The Auer family worked with Red Cross Case Manager Chris Losavio who helped them navigate resources available for people affected by Sandy.

“When I met Chris he said, ‘I’m not letting you go until we get things going.’ If it wasn’t for Chris, I would not be home because he got the ball rolling,” Laura Auer said.

Thanks to generous donations from the American public, the Red Cross, working in partnership with Tunnel to Towers and New York Disaster Interfaith Services, assisted the family both in making the needed repairs to their home, and in purchasing new furniture and appliances, making it habitable once again.

Losavio organized co-workers from the Red Cross who volunteered their own time to help Tunnel to Towers install flooring, windows, and trim in the home. To see photos of their work, click here.

When asked what it was like to be home, Laura Auer said:  “Awesome, I’m home. I can go to my own bed. It’s very exciting.”

Weekend Roundup + Upcoming Events

• Fire in Newburgh, N.Y.
  A fire started aroun 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, on Lander Street in Newburgh, N.Y. The Red Cross responded and helped three families affected by the fire. Two of the three families were provided emergency assistance including financial assistance for lost personal items, emergency relocation and referrals with our community partners. Recordonline.com reported on the fire here.

Photo credit: City of Newburgh Fire Department

• Fire in Uniondale, Nassau County
  Also on Saturday, the Red Cross responded to a fire on Jerusalem Avenue and provided emergency funds to four families affected by the fire. News 12 Long Island has more details on the fire.
• Fire in Queens, N.Y.On Sunday, the Red Cross responded to a 2-alarm fire on 42nd Street in Queens, providing affected residents with two clean-up kits and referrals for further services.

Upcoming Events

June 12: The Red Cross Blook Drive Hosted by AECOM

Come by Grand Central Terminal between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 12 to give the gift of life: blood. Walk-ins are welcome, though donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or clicking on the link below to schedule an online appointment. Sponsor code: AECOM  MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

In Case You Missed It...Last Week in Review

The Red Cross meets with fire officials outside an apartment building on Summit Ave in the Bronx damaged by a fire that broke out June 4. Our team offered immediate assistance and referrals for affected residents.
(Photo: Phil Cogan)

Partnering to Help People Cope with Post-Sandy Stress

Although Sandy happened over 18 months ago, many are still affected by the storm. Visiting Nurse Service of New York and the Red Cross are partnering to help people cope with post-Sandy stress. If you or a loved one has been affected by Sandy and need emotional support, you can call Visiting Nurse Service of New York at 718-888-6955. For more information about an upcoming workshop, read our story on our partnership with Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

 

Red Cross Education for Kids - Safety Town

Many four- and five-year-olds entering kindergarten in Greenwich, Conn., learned about safety and emergency services in their hometown. The kids were able to participate in hands-on activities and meet with firemen, police and EMTs. Read it'srelevant.com's article and watch their video with a Safety Town instructor.


(Video: http://www.itsrelevant.com/)

5-Alarm Fire on Staten Island

A 5-alarm fire broke out on Chestnut Ave just after 1 a.m. on June 5. The Red Cross responded to the scene promptly to help those affected. On June 6, our caseworkers set up at Staten Island Borough Hall to meet with displaced residents to discuss their next steps towards long-term recovery. amNewYork reported on the details of the fire and the assitance we provided.

Last night @redcross teams responded to a 5-alarm fire that tore through a building on Chesnut Ave in Staten Island.
— NY Red Cross (@redcrossny) June 5, 2014

Red Cross providing clothes, food and infant formula for families affected by SI 5-alarm fire at the hospital. pic.twitter.com/TjQwBAW3U5
— NY Red Cross (@redcrossny) June 5, 2014

Big thx to BP @HeyNowJO for allowing Red Cross caseworkers to meet w/ residents of SI Chestnut Ave fire at boro hall. pic.twitter.com/0d9GPJENNC
— NY Red Cross (@redcrossny) June 6, 2014

 

Goldman Sachs Volunteers Mentor Red Cross Club Members

On June 5, volunteer mentors from Goldman Sachs came to Red Cross headquarters in New York to provide guidances to students from 10 Red Cross clubs from around the region. We've received positive feedback from both the mentors and the students! We thank the Goldman Sachs volunteers for taking time out of their busy schedule to support our Red Cross Youth.

Who knew giving back could look this good? #GSMentorsRCC pic.twitter.com/1t34h4YGtp
— Trent Shafer (@trentshafer) June 5, 2014 

 

Deloitte Team Help Local Residents

Volunteers from Deloitte came to the Red Cross headquarters in New York to help local residents in need. They assembled more than 1,000 personal hygiene comfort kids that will be distributed to disaster victims. Thank you, Deloitte, for giving back to the community and providing love and care to those who need it most!

Thanks again from @redcrossny 2 the @Deloitte team for coming together to help local residents affected by disaster! pic.twitter.com/YLs5kXLqmT
— NY Red Cross (@redcrossny) June 6, 2014

Bayside High School Red Cross Club Goes to Washington, D.C.

The Bayside High School Red Cross Club, representing the Greater New York region, presented their Action Campaign at the National International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Youth Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. this weekend. We could not be more proud of these young Red Crossers for their big achievements! Also, a big shout out to our Youth Services Manager, Amanda Crabbe, and to Red Crsos Disaster Responder Kanhong Lin for making the trip possible for the kids! To learn more, read our story on IHL and Bayside High School Red Cross Club.

Bayside HS IHL team @redcross nhq!! @kanhonglin @redcrossny #connecttoprotect #warhaslimits pic.twitter.com/LnFXLGo9Av
— Amanda Crabbe (@AmandaCrabbe1) June 6, 2014

Preparing for Godzilla

How do you prepare for a Godzilla attack?

Two weeks ago, we asked staff members at the Greater New York Red Cross how they would prepare for a Godzilla attack on NYC. Their answers formed the basis of our video, “How to Prepare for Godzilla.” The video (below) provides viewers with simple tips to prepare for any “Godzilla-size” disaster. We hope everyone who sees the video will take Red Cross emergency preparedness steps—Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed—which could save lives during a disaster. We’re happy to report that a number of media outlets picked up the video; all of them emphasized the importance of being prepared in advance of a disaster.  

Below is a clip from the CBS2 New York 5pm News on May 19: 

Here's an article from New York news website DNAinfo from May 18 discussing the video.

New York radio station 1010 WINS picked up the story and broadcast it on May 19 several times during rush hour. Below is one of the clips.


If you want more information about how to prepare for a disaster check out the Red Cross smartphone applications, which can provide helpful information on how to deal with a variety of emergency situations.