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OPINION: Greater New York Red Cross offers thanks

November 25, 2015 From American Red Cross Greater NY Region
Josh Lockwood. Photo courtesy of American Red Cross in Greater NY
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This Thanksgiving, I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible people who fulfill the mission of the Red Cross in this region and beyond. The breadth of their service is awe-inspiring: they enable the Red Cross to provide immediate relief here in Greater New York following approximately 2500 disasters every year (nearly 700 disasters in Brooklyn annually), they aid countless active and retired military personnel and their families and help save lives via the collection of vital blood and platelet donations. Perhaps most remarkably, this work is carried out by a workforce that is more than 90% volunteers.    

This work is not easy or comfortable. Every minute of every day, in blinding blizzards or mid-day summer heat, the Red Cross helps the most vulnerable among us at their most desperate moments. One day last week, we responded to 16 separate disasters across the Greater NY region, providing relief and comfort to 42 New Yorkers. 

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And of course, none of this assistance could be possible without the generosity of donors, who are often providing critical assistance to shell-shocked, grateful people they will never meet.

A recent recipient of our services, Brooklyn resident Dexia Billinglea, said it best after she turned to the Red Cross after she and her children ran for their lives and suddenly found themselves homeless:  “I just want to thank all the people who support the Red Cross. I’m not sure where we would be right now if it wasn’t for you.”                                                                                                                                     

Wishing all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

 

Sincerely, 

Josh Lockwood

American Red Cross in Greater NY, Regional CEO


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