Charles Ball, the Chapter’s Assistant Director of Research, was one of 23 Chapter volunteers and employees who participated in the California Wildfires relief and recovery effort. Charles conducted damage assessments of homes in San Diego County.

A total of 19 volunteers and 4 employees from the Greater New York Chapter joined 6,000 other Red Cross relief workers aiding recovery efforts after the devastating wildfires in Southern California the fourth week in October. In all, the fires affected more than 640,000 acres of land destroyed or damaged more than 5,000 homes.

In addition to sending trained personnel, ARC/GNY's component of the National Disaster 1-866-GET INFO Call Center operated from October 24 through October 31, staffed by 40 volunteers and 5 employees. Five volunteers from ARC/GNY's Citigroup corporate partner and one from its Bloomberg corporate partner, as well as eight Department of Mental Health employees participated. Our Call Center handled about 250 calls, approximately 16% of the total national call volume.

As of Thursday, November 1: 

• The National Red Cross has provided more than 24,660 overnight stays in its shelters, 491,749 meals and snacks and more than 18,650 comfort kits.
• The Red Cross relief effort has deployed more than 6,000 workers helping affected residents, including more than 5,000 volunteers from all 50 states.
• The Red Cross is still operating 7 shelters (consolidated from a high of 26 shelters) throughout the region
• Nearly 19,000 cleanup kits have been distributed.
• The Safe and Well website has made more than 350 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.