Wednesday, August 31, 2016

New York Red Cross Supports Louisiana Relief Efforts


In response to the historic flooding in Louisiana, Red Cross Chapters across the country, including Greater New York, are pitching in to assist this massive relief effort, the largest since Superstorm Sandy. Currently, more than 40 local volunteers and staff members have deployed to the flood-ravaged areas. Additionally, a 24 hour call center has been set up at Greater New York HQ to relay vital information from flood survivors to volunteers and agencies on the ground in Louisiana.
Here are some photos and other short stories about our continued efforts to support the people affected by this disaster. This page will be updated regularly.

Monday, August 29 | FDNY DART Team, New York, N.Y.

Wednesday, August 24 | Doreen Brienza, Long Island, N.Y.



Wednesday, August 24 | Maria Millan, Long Island, N.Y., Elba Alvarez, Manhattan, N.Y.


Wednesday, August 24 | Lilliam Rivera Cruz, Bronx, N.Y.
Monday, August 22 | Lilliam Rivera Cruz, Bronx, N.Y.
Saturday, August 20 | 
Saturday, August 20 | Craig Cooper, Smithtown, N.Y., Mary Farrell, Wantagh, N.Y., Debbie Hayden, Garden City, N.Y.
Saturday, August 20 | Katey Walsh, Manhattan, N.Y.


Friday, August 19 | Paul Nulty, East Setauket, N.Y. 
Friday, August 19 | Mary Farrell, Wantagh, N.Y.


LI Red Cross Health services volunteer Mary Farrell (L) currently in Baton Rouge,
stands alongside fellow volunteers from Tennessee, Las Vegas and Pennsylvania

Thursday, August 18 | Richard Sanford, Brooklyn

Long time volunteer Richard Sanford assists a flood survivor at the call center here in NYC.

Wednesday, August 17 | Marko Kokic, Manhattan

 

Monday, August 15 | Craig Cooper, Smithtown, N.Y.


Sunday, August 14 | Craig Cooper, Smithtown, N.Y.

In Case You Missed It - Aug 29

© 2016 Nasdaq, Inc.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 71 adults and 41 children following 51 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Opportunities
  • Sep 1, 2 & 6: Red Cross blood drive: 2 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • Sep 17: Save the date for Radiation Situation: A Red Cross Simulation. The Greater New York Region will host its annual Full-Scale-Exercise on Saturday, September 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Red Cross volunteers and staff are highly encouraged to participate and will have a choice of roles and locations throughout the Greater New York and North New Jersey Regions. Sign up today! 
  • Sep 22: Seats are filled are filled for “Born on the Battlefield” and registration is closed. This class is an introduction to the Geneva Conventions and how the International Committee of the Red Cross has historically played a role in war zones.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Profile of a Red Cross Volunteer

Colin Blair, a Red Cross Volunteer from Scotland
By Stan Frank, American Red Cross

On his way back home to Scotland after working in Australia, Colin Blair made a detour to visit his fiancé in New York City. While in New York, he researched volunteer opportunities where he could put his accounting and organizational skills to good use. The Red Cross turned out to be the ideal place.

“I was immediately struck by the broad scope of things the Red Cross did and how open-minded they were to new ideas,” said Colin.

In Australia, Colin had worked for three years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, a global accounting firm known for its expertise in managing large corporate projects and also at a fast-growing entrepreneurial logistics business for two years.

When he learned that the New York Red Cross Chapter’s goal for the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign was to install 100,000 smoke alarms in the five boroughs over the next 2 years, he knew he could use his experience to help plan, execute and control the ambitious program.

Over several months, Colin developed the infrastructure to dramatically scale up the program. To accommodate and effectively manage the 15,000 appointment requests received, Colin focused on how to improve the volunteer and resident experience and automate key processes. He did this by adapting an existing communications platform to schedule and manage smoke alarm installation appointments more effectively. As a result, Red Cross volunteers are able to spend more time out in the field than in the office.

Thanks to Colin, Red Cross leadership and the large number of Red Cross volunteers who responded to the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign’s call for help, the plan has proven to be very successful. To date, nearly 30,000 smoke alarms have been installed and the NY Chapter is well on its way to meeting its overall objective!

“I believe it is important for everyone to include volunteering in some way as part of their life," he said. "Working on the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign and helping prevent possible deaths and injuries has been the most satisfying thing I have ever done.”

Colin and his fiancé returned to Scotland this summer before getting married in September.

Good luck, Colin, and thanks from the New York Red Cross!




Monday, August 22, 2016

In Case You Missed It - Aug 22

Displaced Louisiana residents receive aid at a Red Cross shelter. (Photo by Red Crosser Marko Kokic)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 158 adults and 58 children following 47 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).


Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
  • Aug 23, 25 & 29: Red Cross blood drive: 2 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today. 
  • Aug 23-28: Calling all golf lovers! Barclays is looking for support at the PGA tour playoffs from August 23-28 in Farmingdale, LI. Signing up gets you full admission to the tournament for you and a guest. Learn more about this great opportunity. Don't forget to select American Red Cross as your affiliation when you register! 
  • Sep 17: Save the date for Radiation Situation: A Red Cross Simulation. The Greater New York Region will host its annual Full-Scale-Exercise on Saturday, September 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Red Cross volunteers and staff are highly encouraged to participate and will have a choice of roles and locations throughout the Greater New York and North New Jersey Regions. Stay tuned for more information.
  • Sep 22: Born on the Battlefield is a three hour introduction to the history of the Geneva Conventions as well as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Interested? Sign up today!

Monday, August 15, 2016

In Case You Missed It - Aug 15

The Red Cross is currently assisting thousands displaced by flooding in Louisiana.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 147 adults and 63 children following 56 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Opportunities
  • Aug 17, 21 & 22: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • Aug 16, 18: The 3rd Annual Youth Leadership Summit is a full day of trainings/workshops for Club Leaders, Members and Advisors to help prepare them for the next academic year. Red Cross Youth will receive training in topics such as Red Cross 101, Volunteer 101, Leadership Styles, Conflict Resolution, Event Planning and more! 
  • Aug 20: #GetAlarmedNYC is coming to Jamaica, Queens. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home
  • Aug 23-28: Calling all golf lovers! Barclays is looking for support at the PGA tour playoffs from August 23-28 in Farmingdale, LI. Signing up gets you full admission to the tournament for you and a guest. Learn more about this great opportunity. Don't forget to select American Red Cross as your affiliation when you register! 
  • Sep 17: Save the date for Radiation Situation: A Red Cross Simulation. The Greater New York Region will host its annual Full-Scale-Exercise on Saturday, September 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Red Cross volunteers and staff are highly encouraged to participate and will have a choice of roles and locations throughout the Greater New York and North New Jersey Regions. Stay tuned for more information.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

In Case You Missed It - Aug 8

August 6th was American Red Cross Day at Yankee Stadium.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 105 adults and 54 children following 51 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events and Opportunities
  • Aug 10, 12 & 15: Red Cross blood drive: 1 to 7pm: 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • Aug 10: Youth members of the Red Cross Club of Hunter College will be out in the Bronx installing free smoke alarms in the community that were made by appointment as part of the #GetAlarmedNYC program.
  • Aug 16, 18: The 3rd Annual Youth Leadership Summit is a full day of trainings/workshops for Club Leaders, Members and Advisors to help prepare them for the next academic year. Red Cross Youth will receive training in topics such as Red Cross 101, Volunteer 101, Leadership Styles, Conflict Resolution, Event Planning and more! 
  • Aug 20: #GetAlarmedNYC is coming to Jamaica, Queens. Volunteer to help out, or sign up to get a free smoke alarm installed in your home
  • Aug 23-28: Calling all golf lovers! Barclays is looking for support at the PGA tour playoffs from August 23-28 in Farmingdale, LI. Signing up gets you full admission to the tournament for you and a guest. Learn more about this great opportunity. Don't forget to select American Red Cross as your affiliation when you register! 
  • Sep 17: Save the date for Radiation Situation: A Red Cross Simulation. The Greater New York Region will host its annual Full-Scale-Exercise on Saturday, September 17th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Red Cross volunteers and staff are highly encouraged to participate and will have a choice of roles and locations throughout the Greater New York and North New Jersey Regions. Stay tuned for more information.

Monday, August 1, 2016

In Case You Missed It - Aug 1


Children of the Pierce Country Day Camp swam laps to raise funds for the Red Cross. (Photo: Lori-Ann Pizzarelli)

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 39 adults and 9 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 Opportunities