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Remembering 9/11: New York Resident Carries On Recovery Work
Written by
Mason Booth
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Wednesday, September 10, 2003 — In May, 2001, longtime New York resident Lyuba Golberg decided it was time to give back to her beloved city. Finding her niche at the American Red Cross in Greater New York, Lyuba began working as the chapter’s volunteer program coordinator, managing the activities of hundreds of volunteers throughout the metro area.
However, she had no idea how much those numbers of volunteers would swell in just four months.
Remembering
September 11, 2001
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Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers joined families and friends on Sunday to line Liberty Island with 3,000 banners made by artist Pop Zhao, in honor of those who lost their lives two years ago.
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As many in the Red Cross family will attest, volunteer coordinators are often the key ingredient to organizing rapid, efficient emergency operations. Few have been tested like Lyuba was, though, on Sept. 11, 2001.
When news of the attacks spread across the United States, millions of people lined up at local Red Cross chapters looking for a way to help their nation in its time of need. In Manhattan, Lyuba and the 42 other members of her group found a venue for the outpouring of support —she needed people to help staff the 13 shelters established by the Red Cross within hours of the attacks.
”We had to make sure that there were enough volunteers on-hand at each of the shelters, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help those affected in any way they could, whether providing a bed, food or comfort,” Lyuba said.
Outside the chapter, rows of people slept overnight, waiting for their assignment to help. More than 700 of them would be recruited by Lyuba to help support the Red Cross shelters during the first two weeks after the attacks.
”Everyone wanted to help and I feel so lucky I was able to give them a way to contribute,” Lyuba recalled. “We all put in long, emotional hours, but I wouldn’t take them back for the world. I felt honored to be a part of it.”
Two years later, Lyuba continues to help those affected by the attacks and now serves as the volunteer coordinator for the September 11th Recovery Program – the Red Cross’ long-term response operation to the disaster.
On Sunday date, she once again mobilized a fleet of Red Cross volunteers, but this time to honor the second year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Together with 700 fellow volunteers, Lyuba joined legions of New Yorkers, and the families and friends of loved ones at the Celebrate: Life, Liberty and Beauty ceremony – a 9/11 anniversary commemoration activity by California artist Pop Zhao.
As the group lined Liberty Island with 3,000 banners created by Zhao, Lyuba reminisced on hardships and accomplishments of the past two years.
“People often ask me why I don’t move on and how I handle hearing about that day all the time,” Lyuba said. “It is difficult, but even when I’m facing the worst, I often see the best in people and watch communities coming together. To be a person who brings people together and helps someone else – now, what could be better than that.”
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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