Monday, April 24, 2017

In Case You Missed It - Apr 24

Celebrating volunteers at the Greater NY Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 89 adults and 37 children following 49 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

In Case You Missed It - April 17th

Red Cross provided relief to 100+ families displaced by Tuesday's 5-alarm fire in Elmhurst, Queens.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 353 adults and 89 children following 65 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 

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

In Case You Missed It - Apr 10

Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone kicked off the LI Red Cross Centennial Celebration in Hauppauge.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 110 adults and 40 children following 50 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

Monday, April 10, 2017

Long Island Celebrates its Volunteers

On Saturday, March 11, more than 100 Long Island Red Crossers gathered at our annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast. The event celebrated the selfless commitment of our 1000 volunteers in Long Island and recognized 13 volunteers/partner organizations from across Nassau and Suffolk Counties for their dedication.

See the award winners listed below and click here for photos from the event.

Support Services Award


Marie Rinckey, Peter King, and Anthony Cervini (not pictured)


Service to the Armed Forces Award
Mozelle McQuade (not pictured)


Leadership Award


Linda Krilov


Home Fire Campaign Award




Lori-Ann Pizzareli


 Community Preparedness Award




Margaret Sukhram


 Emerging Leader Award



Lori Fontana


 Disaster Cycle Services Award


Roy Burnham


Good Neighbor Award



Health and Welfare Council of Long Island


 Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership


Sal Montoro


Corporate Partnership Award


PSEG Long Island


The Mr. and Mrs. Henry Davison Memorial Award


Craig Cooper


Outstanding Red Cross High School Club Award


Manhasset High School


International Services Award


Christophe Lobry-Boulanger






Metro New York North Celebrates Volunteers

On March 4th 2017, our Metro NY North Chapter kicked off Red Cross Month by recognizing the wonderful efforts of volunteers throughout the area. Our annual Volunteer Recognition Event honored those who have displayed an outstanding commitment to the Red Cross mission. Of those in attendance, more than 15 volunteers/partner organizations were recognized for their selfless contributions.

See our award winners below and click here for photos from the event

Disaster Health Services Award


Eli Russ


Disaster Mental Health Award
Desire Diaz (not pictured) 


The Blood Services Award
Norman Krieger


Disaster Cycle Service Award
Michael Heyert


Home Fire Award


Dennis Colin


Community Preparedness Award


Rick and Nancy Stein


The Support Services Award


Maryann Russello


The Good Neighbor Award


Anthem, Inc.


The Corporate Partnership Award


Nestle Waters


Preparedness Health and Safety Award


Madeline Liongson


Emerging Leader Award


Lori Galen


Gene Malkis Tribute Award 


The Malkis Family


Service to the Armed Forces Award



Liz Clark


The American Red Cross Pet Therapy Award


Susan Henson (left) and Douglas


Leadership Award


Debora Bausenwein


Katherine Knapp Award


Tom Garnett


The Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award


JJ Finn



Four-Legged Red Cross Volunteer and Handler Win Pet Therapy Award

Winners at the Metro NY North Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony include 
Susan Henson and Douglas, winners of the Pet Therapy Award
On March 4, 2017, more than 15 volunteers from Metro New York North were honored for their extraordinary dedication, talent and enthusiasm for the Red Cross mission during the past year. One of the awards was the Pet Therapy Award which went to Susan Henson and Douglas, her faithful black Lab therapy dog.

Judy Audevard, President of Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause, presented the 
Pet Therapy Award to Susan Henson and Douglas

Therapy dogs provide affection and comfort to people but are not limited to people with disabilities. Unlike Service dogs which are trained to perform specific tasks for their owners who have a disability such as blindness or paralysis, Therapy dogs go with their owners to volunteer at hospitals, assisted-living or retirement homes, nursing homes, VA facilities, schools, etc.

The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. Therapy dogs are friendly, gentle, patient and enjoy human contact. They provide unconditional love to anyone in need and they have a reputation for decreasing anxiety from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), help decrease depression and lonliness, and typically generate a comforting sense of well-being.

Susan Henson was known in Rockland County and the Hudson Valley as a therapy dog handler when she was contacted by Judy Audevard in 2011. Judy, the President of Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause, had been invited by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to visit their Warrior Transition Unit which served soldiers returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Judy was looking for volunteers to visit the soldiers at West Point who were being treated for a variety of physical and mental disabilities, including PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Susan immediately accepted the invitation.

After being certified as an official Red Cross Volunteer, Susan began visiting the Warrior Transition Unit. Susan’s first visit to the Unit took place on a large open terrace where a half dozen soldiers were invited to meet her and Darla, one of her two Labs. Initially, the soldiers were reluctant to meet the dog. Susan thought the visit was going to be a failure. Finally, one soldier agreed to say “hello” and the rest is history. Darla approached the soldier and began wagging her tail and lifted her head to be petted. Immediately, the soldier flashed a smile and a friendship was born. Soon other soldiers joined in and began asking Susan questions about Darla and opening up about themselves. Some admitted how much they missed their own dogs.

Said Susan, “What’s amazing to me is the change a therapy dog can bring about in the face of loss or tragedy. Simply by being there and showing affection by nudging someone’s hand, a dog can have a dramatic impact on a person’s life”.

Soon Susan and a team of six or seven dogs and their handlers were making weekly visits to West Point. The news spread and the soldiers began looking forward to their visits and even brought treats and toys for the dog. Subsequently, Susan and her team also participated in other programs at West Point including the Paws for Kids Program and the West Point Elementary School “READ” Program which Judy Audevard initiated.

Meanwhile, Susan became a registered Tester/Observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national therapy dog registry, where she helps train and register therapy dogs and their handlers throughout Rockland County and the Hudson Valley. Susan is also an active advocate for recruiting therapy dogs and their handlers to make visits where requested throughout the region.

Asked why she volunteers, Susan said: “As a Red Cross Volunteer and a therapy dog handler, I've seen a lot of ‘firsts’. I've seen a therapy dog bring a smile to the face of a soldier for the first time in years; I've seen an autistic child speak for the first time in months; I've seen a 96 year-old woman in a nursing home cross a room to say ‘hello’ to a dog with a wagging tail; I've seen the joy a therapy dog can bring to loney people in desparate need of affection. That's why I do what I do”.

Thank you, Susan and Douglas for the work you do and the joy you bring to those in need!


To become a Red Cross Volunteer, visit www.RedCross.org/volunteer

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

In Case You Missed It - Apr 3


Congressman Hakeem Jeffries speaking at the 2nd Annual Disaster Summit.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 90 adults and 8 children following 39 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