The American Red Cross in Greater New York continues to participate in the massive Red Cross relief effort in the wake of the powerful wildfires that devastated hundreds of thousands of acres in Southern California the week of October 22.

Nineteen volunteers and four employees from the Chapter joined more than 5,000 other Red Cross relief workers aiding recovery efforts. ARC/GNY volunteers are engaged in both shelter services and disaster assessment.

ARC/GNY volunteer Leah Lubin is helping provide disaster assessment in San Diego county, close to the Mexican border. "The purpose of Disaster Assessment is two-fold,” she said. “It gathers information about the extent of the damage and overall impact, which helps the organization make decisions about staffing, budget, and where to put the assistance centers. We're also helping individual clients, who can"t receive Red Cross services until the damage to their home is verified. Obviously it’s really sad to go out and see homes that have been destroyed. But I’m glad to be able to help out in those two ways.”

ARC/GNY volunteer Leah Lubin, who is now volunteering in Southern California, is seen here at an earlier activation of the New York National Disaster Call Center.

The Chapter’s component of the National Disaster Call Center, which helps handle calls to the American National Red Cross 1-866-GET-INFO number during emergencies, is continuing operations.  Since it opened on October 24, the New York facility, staffed in 4-hour shifts by 38 Red Cross volunteer agents and four employees, has been in operation from 2 pm to 10 pm and received more than 200 calls from wildfire victims.

The National Red Cross continues to provide mental health services, sheltering, feeding and cleanup kits to residents of Southern California.

As of Sunday, October 28:

• The National Red Cross has provided over 22,000 overnight stays in its shelters, 42,600 meals and over 8,000 comfort kits.
  
• The Red Cross relief effort has deployed more than 5,000 workers helping affected residents, including more than 3,000 volunteers.
  
• The Red Cross is still operating 13 shelters (consolidated from a high of 21 shelters) throughout the region, serving more than 1,400 people per day.
  
• Client casework continues, with three new Service centers opened.
  
• Nearly 3,000 cleanup kits have been distributed.
  
• The Safe and Well website has made 357 successful connections for affected families.

Generous financial contributions from the public, foundation and corporate supporters have made it possible for the Red Cross to discontinue new fundraising activities in support of the Southern California wildfires. The Red Cross continues to urge the public to donate to our Disaster Relief Fund, which made possible the swift, effective and compassionate response to the wildfires.