By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
It is hard to believe that the end of 2024 is here and with it comes another opportunity to reflect on who we are and how we want to engage with the world around us. This year, I am thinking about my experience helping people impacted by Hurricane Helene this fall. I was able to deploy virtually to support American Red Cross family reunification efforts on behalf of the tens of thousands of people that spent days and weeks waiting desperately to hear whether their loved ones were safe and sound.
My experience during Hurricane Helene was deeply moving, and one can’t help but think about how difficult it must be to not be able to locate your child, parent, sibling, friend, or other loved one. The feeling of being able to let somebody know that the person they were looking for is safe at a Red Cross shelter is indescribable and is among the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime. Family reunification is just one aspect of what the Red Cross does to help care for people impacted by disasters, and I would challenge each of you to look over the volunteer positions we have available online to see the different ways that we need people like you to help those in need. If the Red Cross is not where you see yourself volunteering, I encourage you to look to an organization that hits close to your heart. There are so many worthwhile places to give back to.
In 2024, the climate crisis has mounted an overwhelming toll on Americans — this year’s 24 billion-dollar disasters are only topped by last year’s record-breaking 28 such destructive events. While Greenwich has largely been spared the worst of such mass calamity, the disasters that happen here and throughout the country do come with a ripple effect that can be felt back home.
The Red Cross is an organization which relies on a national network of volunteers and donors to collectively power 90% of our work. With the help of volunteers and donors, we can support people impacted by disasters big and small, provide 40% of the nation’s blood supply at blood drives (by collecting at blood drives like our upcoming Greenwich Battle of the Badges on December 7th) and help take care of service members, veterans and their families. When Helene devastated Appalachia — I was proud to step up to help along with hundreds of my colleagues from around the Greater New York region, just as we would receive help from others when disaster strikes here in Greenwich. An interesting fact is that the people who would be willing to help nationally are many of the same people who step up to help locally when disaster strikes.
When people are suffering through disasters like Hurricane Helene, they turn to the Red Cross for support and care. This year, we nearly tripled our national average by distributing 7 million meals and snacks during disasters. Thanks to millions of blood donors who rolled up a sleeve to give, we were able to help ensure patients could still access treatment during disasters by pre-positioning blood products ahead of time. Our Red Cross Hero Care Network answered thousands of calls from military families impacted by this year’s hurricanes and connected them with resources to help facilitate their recoveries. We do all of this work during times of disaster, and also throughout the year — responding to help people impacted by home fires, providing blood for people getting surgeries, helping active-duty service members return home to see the birth of their child, and so much more.
This holiday season may your heart be filled with thanks and joy. Be sure to take some time this holiday season to think about how you can give back to others that may need a helping hand, a warm hug, or peace of mind. Whether you want to give back with your time by volunteering at www.redcross.org/volunteer, giving a meaningful gift by making a donation in the name of a loved one at www.redcross.org/gift, or by rolling up your sleeves to donate life-saving blood at www.redcrossblood.org, it all makes such a big difference in the lives of people in need.
Thank you!
Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross, Metro New York North Chapter.
