Tuesday, May 26, 2015

In Case You Missed It - May 26

Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces at the Intrepid Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo: Brett Whysel)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 82 adults and 31 children following 59 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events 


  • 7 Days to GIVING DAY! Red Cross “Giving Day,” is our first nationwide campaign in support of our humanitarian mission. On June 2, communities across the country will come together to highlight the day-to-day impact of our organization and ask the general public for their financial support. How can you support Giving Day? Become an ambassador and help us spread the word. 
  • May 26 and 29: Red Cross blood drive; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • May 28: Special guest, Michael Posner, will be speaking to a group of donors donors about the importance of International Humanitarian Law.
  • May 30 and June 6: Volunteers are still very much needed to support the upcoming Home Fire Preparedness Campaign events on Saturday, May 30 in the Bronx and Saturday, June 6 in Staten Island. Volunteers will be working in teams to install free smoke alarms and ultimately reduce injuries and deaths due to home fires. If you’d like to volunteer for the campaign, sign up on our website by selecting “Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Volunteer.” Current volunteers should sign up through Volunteer Connection.
  • June 3: The Young Professionals Council is hosting “Rally for Relief,” an evening of cocktails, great music and much more to benefit the American Red Cross Greater New York!

Monday, May 18, 2015

In Case You Missed It - May 18

Red Crossers assisting passengers at Penn Station after Amtrak derailment.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 221 adults and 42 children following 62 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events

Monday, May 11, 2015

In Case You Missed It - May 11

Briefing meeting with Metro NYN Staff and Volunteers at Disaster Volunteer Institute. (Photo: Caroline Sherwin)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 80 adults and 39 children following 47 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events
  • May 11 & 14: Red Cross blood drive; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • May 12: Employees from Marsh and McLennan will be volunteering to build disaster comfort kits for those affected by local disasters.
  • May 13: The Greater NY Red Cross Young Professionals Committee is partnering with Ivy Connect to host a salon discussion and reception entitled “Leadership Insights from Extraordinary Women."
  • May 15: AOL employees will be taking part in a card-signing and ribbon-making event for service members.
  • May 17: Viacom employees will be supporting our Service to the Armed Forces program by assembling comfort kits for veterans.
  • May 16 & 17: As part of the ongoing Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, Red Cross volunteers (including D.A.R.T. Team Members) and the Tzu Chi Foundation will be in Lower Manhattan and Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. on Saturday and in Brooklyn on Sunday to install free smoke alarms. There will also be upcoming events on May 30 in the Bronx and June 6 in Queens. If you’d like to volunteer for the campaign, sign up on our website by selecting “Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Volunteer.” Current volunteers should sign up through “Volunteer Connection."

Q and A with the Italian Red Cross President

On Friday, May 8, 2015, Italian Red Cross president Francesco Rocco visited our Manhattan headquarters to learn more about our work here in Greater NY and to speak to volunteers about the impact of our shared mission. Dr. Rocco was in NYC to meet with UN representatives about the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean. Below is a short Q and A with Dr. Rocca.

Francesco Rocco (L) alongside Josh Lockwood (R),
Regional CEO, 
Greater NY Red Cross  
Q: What does the New York Red Cross represent to you?

A: This chapter has the capacity to respond to many needs in this complex city. It’s incredible the number of operations you have every day after local emergencies…and taking care of families and providing assistance. Of course I was impressed by the huge activity you made after Sandy. This chapter in particular gives a strong meaning to the word resiliency, the capacity of the community to respond. This is something that impressed me a lot.

Q: What is the common thread between Red Cross/Red Crescent volunteers in Italy, Syria, Nepal and New York?

A: The first principle: humanity. We put the human being at the center of our action, the center of our mind and work, so we share this responsibility which unites us all in this universal mission. All around the world, and I visit a lot of nations, we always see the same commitment to be close to the most vulnerable and those most in need. So this is something that unites all of us.

Q: Do you have a message for Red Cross volunteers in Greater NY?

A: Me and my colleagues in the Italian Red Cross think the New York Red Cross chapter is a model on how to organize the services locally. I especially want to recognize the emergency response efforts, and I want to say how proud we are as a movement about the work carried out by this chapter!

To learn more about the Italian Red Cross response to the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, click here.

Monday, May 4, 2015

In Case You Missed It - May 4

Mayor De Blasio greets Red Cross Volunteers at FDNY celebratory
150th anniversary open-house. (Photo: Marko Kokic)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 92 adults and 26 children following 61 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review


On the 150th Anniversary celebration of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Commissioner Daniel Nigro thanked Red Cross volunteers for their ongoing support at fires and in helping to promote fire safety.
Posted by American Red Cross in Greater New York on Monday, May 4, 2015
Upcoming Events
  • May 7: In Hauppauge (Long Island), we will be training 50 members of the Carpenters Union to be Red Cross Disaster Services volunteers. Thanks to our board member William Macchione for making this possible.
  • May 7 & 8: Red Cross blood drive; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • May 9: Red Cross Metro New York North is holding an extensive one-day Disaster Volunteer Institute in Mt. Vernon to help jump start the participation of prospective volunteers. Register today and share this teaser video