American Red Cross on Long Island supporters will come together on June 15, 2018, at The Carltun in East Meadow, N.Y. to celebrate the Red Cross mission and to recognize local community heroes and philanthropic organizations at their “Heroes Among Us” Gala.

“The American Red Cross on Long Island is such a vital and powerful community partner to Long Island. The scope and impact of our work touches so many lives each and every day,” said Neela Lockel, CEO, American Red Cross on Long Island. “We are so honored to recognize such an inspiring group of individuals and partners who embody the humanitarian spirit of the Red Cross.”

The American Red Cross on Long Island, made up of more than 1,000 volunteers, responds to approximately 200 local disasters a year in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, providing emergency assistance in the form of shelter, food, financial assistance, relief supplies, emotional support and more. When the need arises, many of these same volunteers deploy far from home to lend a hand following large-scale disasters outside our region.

The Long Island Red Cross also works to build resilient and strong communities by installing thousands of free smoke alarms in at risk neighborhoods, by teaching water safety and first aid, and by empowering families with vital disaster preparedness skills.

Additionally, the Red Cross collects lifesaving blood and provides unwavering support to Long Island service members and their families.

2018 Honorees and Heroes

Corporate Leadership Award – PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system. PSEG Long Island seeks to provide industry leading electric service to customers while placing safety first. Each month, PSEG Long Island and the Red Cross travel to communities to install free smoke detectors and provide fire safety education to local families, in addition to helping local veterans. PSEG Long Island employees embody the humanitarian spirit of the Red Cross.

Disaster Response Hero – First Quality Enterprises, Inc.
First Quality Enterprises, Inc., a Long Island-based manufacturer of adult care, household paper and baby care products, has been a committed American Red Cross supporter since 2010. In late 2017, following an unprecedented wave of disasters, First Quality provided incredible support for communities affected by Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, and the California Wildfires.

Humanitarian Hero – John Ash
John Ash, a retired detective who served 27 years with the Nassau County Police Department, is a dedicated humanitarian with an extraordinary career helping others after local and international crises. His relief work began in 2000 and has since taken him to far-reaching emergencies across the globe. This includes work in Nigeria, Zambia, Jamaica, Afghanistan and Mexico. Locally after Superstorm Sandy, Ash supported relief and recovery efforts across NYC and Long Island.

Service to the Armed Forces Award – Ebonnie Goodfield
Ebonnie Goodfield, a retired United States Navy Petty Officer, is an AFSC contractor for the New York Air National Guard and the 106th Rescue Wing Yellow Ribbon Support Specialist in Westhampton Beach. In this role as Support Specialist she promotes the wellbeing of deploying service members and their families by connecting them to critical resources and information. Goodfield’s support also extends as a VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) member and a National Military Family Association volunteer. Her commitment to supporting these heroes stems from her own personal experience facing the unique challenges of deployment transition and reintegration.

Service to the Armed Forces Award – General Needs LTD.
Established in 2008, General Needs Ltd. is an all-volunteer, 501(C)(3) non-profit supporting homeless veterans living in emergency and transitional housing facilities across Long Island, Queens, New Jersey and Connecticut. Their goal is to empower these veterans in need and to make them more comfortable. They achieve this by providing new clothing, shoes, toiletries, household goods, home furnishings, small appliances and other items to help enable a fresh start.

2018 “Heroes Among Us” Event Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor and Honoree, PSEG Long Island.
Visionary sponsor, National Grid.
Sound the Alarm Lifesaving Sponsor, Casual Home.
Sound the Alarm Inspiration Sponsors, BNB and NYU Winthrop Hospital.
Disaster Response Hero Sponsor, First Quality.
Inspiration Sponsor, The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters.

 
Other 2018 “Heroes Among Us” Event Supporters: Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Edgewise Energy, F. Chau & Associates, LLC, Liberty Coca-Cola, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, Northwell Health, Petro Home Services, Silverman Acampora LLP, Sphere Consulting Group, LLC, Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, the Acampora Family, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, Kim M. Ciesinski., PLLC Alternative Divorce Resolution and Dayton & Sydney Wealth Strategies Group.