Official Blog of the American Red Cross Eastern New York Region

In 2020, I wrote an article titled Loss and Hope. It was a tribute to my friend Tommy, but also a reflection on what I was feeling and my observations during the pandemic.  As a nation we struggled on every level, yet we witnessed the very best of humanity as communities came together to support one another. 

 A few years later in 2023, the world continues to endure challenges that seem to diminish the prospect of hope. Armed conflicts around the globe, the migration crisis, mass shootings and, just this year in the US, we have responded to 25 billion-dollar disasters as the climate crisis wreaks havoc in our lives.  It is enough to make one think about giving up or conceding to the notion that our future is not so bright.

The problem is my brain simply isn’t wired that way. 

I believe that we are capable of solving big problems regardless of what the critics and pundits may tell you.  The greatest challenges of our day are an opportunity for us to work together.

If you need proof that this is possible, just visit the scene of any disaster and you will see in real-time volunteers working together and quickly solving problems.  How do we care for a family with a child with special needs in our shelter? Is long-term housing available for our clients so they can begin their road to recovery?   How do we begin to console a woman who lost her entire life’s work in the disaster?  No response is ever the same and yet our volunteers seek to alleviate the suffering of communities impacted by these disasters, time and time again.

Grand Street Fire, Albany, NY.

In 2017, during Hurricane Florence, I attended a morning briefing for staff and volunteers. The Job Director addressing a group of 50 Red Crossers offered this simple directive for the day-

“We’re in the help thy neighbor business… so find someone that needs help today and get to work.”

With those simple words, it clicked.  We can’t just talk about problems, we must act. 

Every year, home fires kill more Americans than all natural disasters combined. These disasters happen every day in our community. But we know working smoke detectors cut that risk in half.

So, we got to work.

Since 2014, we’ve canvassed at-risk neighborhoods, installing more than 37,000 smoke alarms and helping families make emergency plans. 

This is our humanitarian mission in action.

Volunteers installing free smoke alarms

Thanks to our incredible volunteers who installed these smoke alarms and taught fire safety information, and to the generous donors who support our work financially, I am incredibly proud to share ENY has reached a significant milestone- 

We have 100 documented lives saved.

Thanks to your commitment, 100 individuals will be able to sit at a table with friends and families to share what they are thankful for this holiday season.

I am grateful for the incredible humanitarians who give their time to help others and I humbly invite everyone to join our cause. Turn your compassion into action- volunteer your time, donate blood, or make a financial contribution.  You can make a difference in the lives of others if you act now.  Just ask the 100 people whose lives were saved by smoke alarms.

With gratitude,

Kevin