Left to Right: Resident Connie Thomas, State Senator Serphin R. Maltese and the Chapter’s Yesha Naik

State Senator Serphin R. Maltese and the New York State Senate Majority Office sponsored a Ready New York presentation for residents in the Howard Beach community at the American Legion Post 1404 in Broad Channel on August 15. The program was presented by the American Red Cross in Greater New York. Participants included the New York City Fire Department to address fire safety and the New York City Department of Aging. 

Ready New York is a free two-hour event dedicated to preparing individuals and families for emergencies provided by the Chapter and  the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

Senator Maltese spoke about the helpfulness of the Red Cross to assist residents during every kind of emergency, indicating that ever since he served in the armed forces he has had a tremendous respect for the work of Red Cross volunteers. The senator also provided attendees with his "Get Ready” flyer that easily explains the 12 items every household needs to assemble to prepare for a hurricane.

Connie Thomas, a local resident, won a Red Cross emergency “go bag” that was displayed, explained and raffled during the presentation. A Red Cross “go bag” is a backpack filled with items to aid an adult for three days during an emergency. Contents of the “go bag” should be supplemented with personal items such as copies of important papers, phone numbers for family members, doctors and veterinarians, personal hygiene supplies and medication information.