Monday, June 29, 2015

In Case You Missed It - June 29


Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 98 adults and 39 children following 48 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events
  • June 29, July 1, 2, 3: Red Cross blood drives; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan and Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn (July 1 only). Schedule an appointment to donate today.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

In Case You Missed It - June 23

Red Cross staff and volunteers supporting 10K Marathon at Flushing Meadow Park.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 61 adults and 25 children following 36 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Week in Review 
Upcoming Events

Friday, June 19, 2015

Patience, Reassurance and Comfort: Red Cross Helps Brooklyn Family After Fire


By Caroline Hroncich, American Red Cross Volunteer

In early April, 24-year-old, Dexia Billingslea, and her family turned to the American Red Cross after a devastating apartment fire tore through their Brooklyn home. Billingslea, mother of three small children, was also the primary caretaker for three of her nieces and nephews and two of her siblings. The whole family was left homeless.

Billingslea said she first noticed the fire was coming from the children’s room when the terrified family cat went running through the back of the apartment. Alarmed, the Brooklyn native went to investigate what was causing the animal to act strangely. 

Once she saw the smoke, she realized it was a fire. 

“When we were running out, glass was falling on top of our heads, it was coming out the window,” said Billingslea, “So we get outside, that’s when I knew where the smoke was coming from. It was a fire.” 

The fire left Billingslea and her family homeless, she didn't know where to turn. 

“Thankfully, we all made it out safely,” she recalled, “but everything was destroyed inside.”

But less than an hour after the fire, a Red Cross-volunteer came to Billingslea’s side to offer help.

“She was very patient and took her time,” she said, “she stood by my side for hours.”

Along with reassurance and emotional support, the Red Cross also provided the family with a hotel room for a few nights, money for food and clothing, metro cards and help navigating the recovery process.

“She came in, she was very nice, and polite and patient,” she said. “I was trying to stay strong for the children. I didn’t want them to see me cry. She sat with me, and she stayed with me until I left.”

Billingslea also met with a Red Cross case manager after the fire, to help herself and her children get back on their feet. 

“I met with a lady named Lillian, who was my case manager,” said Billingslea. “She gave me book bags, school supplies, because we didn’t have any of those things.” 

Billingslea recently spoke to a group of Red Cross supporters and volunteers about the impact of their assistance and thanked them for what they do for the Red Cross.

“Thank you all! Without the Red Cross, I don’t know where we would be today.”

Monday, June 15, 2015

In Case You Missed It - June 15

Citi employees volunteering at the Red Cross on Citi's Annual Global Community Day. (Photo: Gabe Morales)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 61 adults and 25 children following 36 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review
Upcoming Events
  • June 15, 17: Red Cross blood drives; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • June 15-19: Out in Greenwich, CT, Safety Town continues with the second session of its week-long program that teaches accident prevention skills to local pre-school kids before they enter kindergarten.
  • June 20: Volunteers are needed to support the upcoming Home Fire Preparedness Campaign event on Saturday, June 20. Volunteers will be in Mount Vernon in Westchester County 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.

Monday, June 8, 2015

In Case You Missed It - June 8

Red Cross volunteers installing free smoke alarms in Staten Island. (Photo: Virgina Sierra)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 69 adults and 15 children following 34 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events
  • June 8, 11: Red Cross blood drives; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • June 8-12: Out in Greenwich, CT, Safety Town kicks-off a week long program that teaches accident prevention skills to local pre-school kids before they enter kindergarten.
  • June 10, 11: Volunteers are needed to support the upcoming Home Fire Preparedness Campaign events. Wednesday, June 10 volunteers will return to Staten Island and Thursday, June 11 to the Bronx 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.

Monday, June 1, 2015

In Case You Missed It - June 1

Ethan and his family waiting to meet with Red Cross caseworkers after a fire
destroyed their home on the Lower East Side. (Photo: Alex Resnick)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 165 adults and 56 children following 51 local disasters. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming events (see below).

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events
  • June 2: 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 public to help us keep helping. Click here to visit the “Giving Day” website. How else can you support “Giving Day”? Become an ambassador and help us spread the word
  • June 1, 7, 8: Red Cross blood drives; 1 to 7pm; 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today.
  • 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!
  • June 5: As part of their annual “Impact Day,” employees of Deloitte will be volunteering at the chapter to learn lifesaving skills and to build comfort kits for survivors of disasters.
  • June 6: Volunteers are still very much needed to support the upcoming Home Fire Preparedness Campaign event on 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.