This June, the American Red Cross in Greater New York honored dozens of outstanding volunteers during Volunteer Recognition Ceremonies held across New York City, on Long Island, and in Metro New York North. Together, the events celebrated the individuals whose compassion, leadership, and dedication make it possible for the Red Cross to deliver help and hope every day.

Across all three chapters, volunteers were recognized for their contributions in disaster response and recovery, preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces, International Services, Biomedical Services, youth engagement, communications, and organizational leadership. The ceremonies also highlighted years of service milestones and the collective impact volunteers have on communities throughout the region.

Metro New York North Chapter

In Metro New York North, leaders reflected on a remarkable year of service. Nearly 1,000 volunteers contributed more than 53,000 hours, responded to 103 home fires, installed more than 2,000 smoke alarms, assisted military families through 105 emergency cases, and supported 464 blood drives that collected more than 9,300 units of blood.

Among the chapter honorees were Mitch Weitzner for Disaster Response, Sharon Zuckerman for Disaster Recovery, Bob Mulligan for Disaster Readiness, Ted Berenblum for Disaster Preparedness, Allison Bergman for Service to the Armed Forces, Susan Shansky for Blood Services, Alex Poku as Mission Champion, and Mary Dwyer, recipient of the Henri Dunant Leadership Award.

The region’s highest volunteer honor, the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, was presented to Marty Kanegeiser for his transformative leadership of the Home Fire Campaign program.

Long Island Chapter

On Long Island, volunteers were recognized for strengthening virtually every aspect of the Red Cross mission. Honorees included Amar Nanugonda for Volunteer Services, Gary Nilsen for Disaster Response, Amy Belfiore for Disaster Recovery, Nora McSweeney for Disaster Readiness, and Edras Hidalgo for International Services. The Wheatley School Red Cross Club was named Club of the Year for its strong commitment to service and youth leadership.

The chapter’s Henri Dunant Leadership Award was presented to Anthony Incorvaia, whose versatility and leadership have strengthened operations, logistics, and disaster response efforts across the region.

New York City Chapter

The New York City ceremony highlighted volunteers and partners making a profound difference throughout the five boroughs and beyond. Delta Air Lines received the Biomedical Champion Award in recognition of its longstanding partnership with the Red Cross and its leadership as the nation’s top corporate blood drive sponsor. Individual honorees included Olivia Haunso for Disaster Response, Lynda Harbert for Disaster Recovery, Charleen Turner for Disaster Readiness, Sue Huie for Service to the Armed Forces, Les Sugai for International Services, Aaron Tin as Mission Champion, and Chris Abbate, recipient of the Henri Dunant Leadership Award for his decades of disaster services leadership.

The chapter also recognized the Manhattan Center for Science and Math Red Cross Club as its Outstanding High School Club and presented special regional honors to Fernando Morales, recipient of the Dottie Brier Award, and Brandon Sherr, recipient of the Tess Sheil Regional Legacy Award, recognizing their enduring commitment to the Red Cross mission and the people they serve.

While each award celebrated a unique accomplishment, a common theme united all three ceremonies: volunteers remain the heart of the American Red Cross. Whether responding to families displaced by home fires, supporting military members, educating communities, mentoring future leaders, coordinating blood drives, or helping survivors recover after disasters, these volunteers demonstrate the compassion and humanity that define the organization.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, visit www.redcross.org/gnyvolunteer