499901-08 New York Gala FY26_Digital Journal_FINAL
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Dinner Sponsor
Innovation Sponsors
Jill and John Coyle
Humanity Sponsors
Cocktail Reception Sponsor
Visionary Sponsors
Hometown Hero Sponsors
In-Kind Partners
Media Partner
PROGRAM
Welcome
By Bill Ritter, Anchor, ABC 7 Eyewitness News
Red Cross in Greater New York
By Doreen Howe, Regional Chief Executive Officer American Red Cross in Greater New York
Introduction of Good Samaritan Hero
By Doreen Howe
Accepted by Christopher Perez
Introduction of National Hero
By Jill Coyle, Board Chair
Accepted by Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, USCG
Special Remarks by Suzanne Youngkin, former First Lady of Virginia
Dinner is Served
Introduction of Humanitarian Award Honoree
By Josh Lockwood, Vice President, Climate Change & Sustainability Fundraising American Red Cross
Accepted by Ted Hathaway
Introduction of Vanguard Award Honoree
By Sudeep Doshi, Board Member, Greater New York Region
Accepted by April Brown, Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility, Major League Baseball
Introduction of Crystral Cross Award Honoree
By Rosie Taravella, Division Vice President, Northeast American Red Cross
Accepted by Judy and Lindsey Schulz and Melissa Menta, Senior Vice President for Global Brand and Communications
Words of Appreciation
By Erin P. Hamad and Erin Moldovan, Gala Co-Chairs
Dessert, coffee and music
GOOD SAMARITAN HERO
Christopher Perez, a Yorktown Heights postal carrier, is recognized as our Good Samaritan Hero for his swift and courageous actions during a March 28, 2025 fire at Jefferson Valley Senior Living. While on his mail route, Perez saw smoke and discovered an elderly man trapped on a balcony. Acting before firefighters arrived, he positioned his mail truck beneath the balcony, climbed up, and helped guide the man to safety despite intense heat and heavy flames. His quick thinking and refusal to hesitate embodies the bravery and community spirit this award celebrates.
Click on image above to view video
Christopher Perez
NATIONAL HERO
Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, USCG
Petty Officer Scott Ruskan of the U.S. Coast Guard is honored as our National Hero for his extraordinary bravery during the July 2025 Texas flooding. In his very first rescue mission, and with only six months of training, he saved 165 people, most of them children, after floodwater overtook Camp Mystic. By remaining on the ground to triage and coordinate evacuations, Ruskan enabled crews to airlift more survivors to safety. His selfless actions, widely hailed by federal officials, exemplify the lifesaving mission of the Coast Guard.
Click on image above to view video
HUMANITARIAN AWARD HONOREE
Ted Hathaway is a visionary leader known for transforming Oldcastle Glass into Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope® and for his long-standing commitment to community impact. A member of the Greater New York Board since 2012, Ted has consistently championed the Red Cross mission through crises ranging from storms and floods to pandemics and wildfires.
Ted’s humanitarian leadership includes a decade-long fundraising record totaling $3 million for Greater New York, service on the National American Red Cross Disaster Task Force and helping to secure a $5 million commitment to the Disaster Relief Fund. His efforts have mobilized more than $8 million in support of communities recovering from disaster.
Through his dedication of time, talent, and treasure, Ted exemplifies the core Red Cross humanitarian principles and inspires others to support aid — food, water, shelter, and safety when and where it is needed most.
Ted Hathaway
VANGUARD AWARD HONOREE
Major League Baseball
The Red Cross honors Major League Baseball (MLB) for its critical support of disaster relief. MLB was the first major sports league to join the Red Cross Disaster Responder program, marking five years of partnership in 2026. Together with teams like the New York Yankees, MLB has supported major relief efforts, from Hurricane Milton to local home fires. By accepting this award, MLB helps spotlight the vital resources Disaster Responder partners provide before, during, and after emergencies.
Click on image above to view video
CRYSTRAL CROSS AWARD HONOREE
PEANUTS Worldwide LLC
This year, the Red Cross is proud to honor PEANUTS with the Crystal Cross Award. Since 1950, PEANUTS has united fans across generations with messages of kindness, laughter and community values that align perfectly with the Red Cross mission. Through several collaborations, PEANUTS has helped to mobilize a new generation of blood donors. We celebrate and honor this partnership, their enduring cultural legacy and their meaningful impact on our lifesaving work.
DOREEN HOWE, LCSW
Regional Chief Executive Officer
American Red Cross in Greater New York
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the American Red Cross in Greater New York, it is my honor and pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Red Cross Heroes Gala, a celebration of our humanitarian mission and those who make this work possible.
Over the past year, I have continued to be inspired every day by the dedication of our volunteers, staff, partners and donors who deliver the mission of the Red Cross where it is needed most. Whether down the street, across the country, or around the world, thanks to your support, the Red Cross is there to bring hope and help.
The need for our work is only increasing, and the way we will continue to meet this need is by working together with everyone in this room.
As part of this special evening, we will recognize five heroes who exemplify what it means to be part of the Red Cross:
• A visionary leader, Ted Hathaway has driven innovation and support for our humanitarian mission for more than a decade, advancing community initiatives and inspiring others to touch our mission.
• The first major sports league to join the Red Cross Disaster Responder program, Major League Baseball has supported major relief efforts from Hurricane Milton to local home fires.
• Uniting fans across generations, PEANUTS Worldwide LLC has collaborated to help mobilize a new generation of blood donors.
• A member of the U.S. Coast Guard, Petty Officer Scott Ruskan helped save 165 people after torrential rainfall and flooding in Texas.
• A postal carrier in Yorktown Heights, Christopher Perez rescued a man from a home fire along his route.
On behalf of everyone who the Red Cross proudly serves, thank you again for standing with us for this mission.
Sincerely,
Doreen Howe
Regional Chief Executive Officer
American Red Cross in Greater New York
JILL
COYLE
Chair, Board of Directors
American Red Cross in Greater New York
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross in Greater New York, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you here tonight to celebrate another year of our shared humanitarian mission.
As we approach our 145th anniversary, the Red Cross continues its work to prevent and alleviate human suffering thanks to the support of people like you. However you choose to support our mission, you are a vital part of ensuring that help is available when the time comes.
The work of the Red Cross continues to be in great demand. Working together, we can respond to disasters big and small, from home fires to hurricanes, and make sure that people have what they need to get back on their feet more resiliently than before. We collect lifesaving blood donations, deliver critical services to the military community, teach people vital skills such as CPR and First Aid, work with global partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent network to respond to devastating world events, and more all thanks to your help.
Tonight, we recognize civic leaders and heroic individuals who embody our humanitarian mission. Congratulations and thank you to Ted Hathaway, Major League Baseball, PEANUTS Worldwide LLC, Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, and Christopher Perez each of you have done amazing things that have left the world a better place than you found it.
Thank you all again for your belief in the Red Cross, and your continued support to ensure that help will be there whenever and wherever it is needed.
With gratitude,
Jill Coyle Chair, Board of Directors
American Red Cross in Greater New York
BILL RITTER
Event Emcee
Anchor, ABC 7 Eyewitness News
Bill Ritter started at Eyewitness News in June 1998, anchoring weekends while working full time Monday through Friday for ABC News and 20/20 as a correspondent.
He started anchoring the 11 p.m. newscast on Eyewitness News in October 1999, succeeding the great Bill Beutel, and then added the 6 p.m. newscast in February 2001. He has covered, for Eyewitness News and ABC News, the big and important events since 1992 when he joined ABC as founding co-host of “Good Morning America/Sunday.”
Earlier in his career Bill, a native of Los Angeles, reported on the Rodney King trial and the subsequent Los Angeles riots for the Fox Television Network. From August 1991 through February 1992 Ritter also served as a reporter for the Fox Network’s nationally syndicated show Entertainment Daily Journal (E.D.J.); and from February 1990 to August 1991 was an investigative reporter for KTTV-TV (Fox Television) in Los Angeles. He also was an anchor for the station’s Gulf War coverage.
He began his television career as a business reporter, then investigative reporter, for KNSD-TV (NBC affiliate) in San Diego from February 1987 to January 1990.
Bill began his career in print journalism in 1972. He served as a reporter, and then business editor, of the San Diego County edition of The Los Angeles Times from February 1984 to January 1987. He also worked as a reporter and editor for the San Diego Business Journal from June 1980 to January 1984.
Additionally, Ritter served as a board member and then chairman of Crash, Inc., a non-profit drug education and prevention organization in San Diego, from 1980 to 1990. He also was on the San Diego State University Business School advisory board in 1984 and 1985.
Ritter attended San Diego State University from 1968 to 1972. He was kicked out of school for demonstrating against the Vietnam War. Forty years later he went back to college, graduating from The New School in May 2016.
Lallita Maharaj, Director, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services
Letter from Mastercard
Letter from Mastercard
Letter from Mastercard
Letter from Mastercard
To the Red Cross staff, volunteers and many supporters,
To the Red Cross staff, volunteers and many supporters,
To the Red Cross staff, volunteers and many supporters, Tonight is all about celebrating heroes. They overcome adversity. They make sacrifices for others. They do whatever it takes to help.
Tonight is all about celebrating heroes. They overcome adversity. They make sacrifices for others. They do whatever it takes to help.
To the Red Cross staff, volunteers and many supporters, Tonight is all about celebrating heroes. They overcome adversity. They make sacrifices for others. They do whatever it takes to help.
To the Red Cross staff, volunteers and many supporters, Tonight is all about celebrating heroes. They overcome adversity. They make sacrifices for others. They do whatever it takes to help.
Tonight, we celebrate you and your unwavering commitment to help people when they need it most. You bring hope and healing in the wake of disaster. You answer adversity with action and embody the best in humanity in the process. Thank you for everything that you do.
Our company is proud to be recognized with the Corporate Leadership Award alongside individuals who do inspiring work with the Red Cross and in their communities. This recognition is owed to the countless hours of volunteering and community service completed by so many people who work at Mastercard.
Our company is proud to be recognized with the Corporate Leadership Award alongside individuals who do inspiring work with the Red Cross and in their communities. This recognition is owed to the countless hours of volunteering and community service completed by so many people who work at Mastercard.
The Red Cross builds a community of corporate partners, government connections and individual donors and volunteers to reach the most people possible and help them recover from disasters.
Our company is proud to be recognized with the Corporate Leadership Award alongside individuals who do inspiring work with the Red Cross and in their communities. This recognition is owed to the countless hours of volunteering and community service completed by so many people who work at Mastercard.
Our company is proud to be recognized with the Corporate Leadership Award alongside individuals who do inspiring work with the Red Cross and in their communities. This recognition is owed to the countless hours of volunteering and community service completed by so many people who work at Mastercard.
The Red Cross builds a community of corporate partners, government connections and individual donors and volunteers to reach the most people possible and help them recover from disasters.
The Red Cross builds a community of corporate partners, government connections and individual donors and volunteers to reach the most people possible and help them recover from disasters.
The Red Cross builds a community of corporate partners, government connections and individual donors and volunteers to reach the most people possible and help them recover from disasters.
Mastercard is proud that we have contributed to and supported this community for decades. Our payments network facilitates public donation drives and emergency financial assistance to make sure it gets to the people in need. Our colleagues have worked closely with the nonprofit to run blood drives, install smoke alarms, and help people facing great hardship.
Mastercard has contributed to that community for decades. Our payments network supports public donation drives and emergency financial assistance that goes right to the people who need it most. Our colleagues have worked closely with the nonprofit to run blood drives, install smoke alarms and help people facing great hardship.
Mastercard has contributed to that community for decades. Our payments network supports public donation drives and emergency financial assistance that goes right to the people who need it most. Our colleagues have worked closely with the nonprofit to run blood drives, install smoke alarms and help people facing great hardship.
Mastercard has contributed to that community for decades. Our payments network supports public donation drives and emergency financial assistance that goes right to the people who need it most. Our colleagues have worked closely with the nonprofit to run blood drives, install smoke alarms and help people facing great hardship.
Mastercard has contributed to that community for decades. Our payments network supports public donation drives and emergency financial assistance that goes right to the people who need it most. Our colleagues have worked closely with the nonprofit to run blood drives, install smoke alarms and help people facing great hardship.
Mastercard ran its first disaster relief training course with the American Red Cross in 2019. Since then, we have worked together to train nearly 800 employees through this program, and our team members regularly answer the call for volunteers, including spending two weeks in Los Angeles last year helping residents recover from the horrendous wildfires. Volunteer groups from Mastercard have also supported disaster relief efforts in Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida.
Mastercard ran its first disaster relief training course with the American Red Cross in 2019. Fast forward five years and our company and the Red Cross have now trained over 400 employees through this program. Groups from Mastercard have supported disaster relief efforts in Kentucky, Hawaii and Florida, and went to Texas where they helped Afghan refugees with resettlement in the U.S.
Mastercard ran its first disaster relief training course with the American Red Cross in 2019. Fast forward five years and our company and the Red Cross have now trained over 400 employees through this program. Groups from Mastercard have supported disaster relief efforts in Kentucky, Hawaii and Florida, and went to Texas where they helped Afghan refugees with resettlement in the U.S.
Mastercard ran its first disaster relief training course with the American Red Cross in 2019. Fast forward five years and our company and the Red Cross have now trained over 400 employees through this program. Groups from Mastercard have supported disaster relief efforts in Kentucky, Hawaii and Florida, and went to Texas where they helped Afghan refugees with resettlement in the U.S.
Mastercard ran its first disaster relief training course with the American Red Cross in 2019. Fast forward five years and our company and the Red Cross have now trained over 400 employees through this program. Groups from Mastercard have supported disaster relief efforts in Kentucky, Hawaii and Florida, and went to Texas where they helped Afghan refugees with resettlement in the U.S.
The Red Cross does amazing work. It inspires and supports heroes. We are grateful to be its partner.
The Red Cross does amazing work. It inspires and supports heroes. We are grateful to be its partner.
The Red Cross does amazing work. It inspires and supports heroes. We are grateful to be its partner.
The Red Cross does amazing work. It inspires and supports heroes. We are grateful to be its partner.
The Red Cross does what others cannot do and goes where others cannot go, backed by the strong coalition—governments and private sector leaders as well as individual donors and volunteers—that it has built over the years. It is an honor to partner with the Red Cross to support heroes and communities in need across the United States.
Sincerely,
Michael Miebach Chief Executive Officer
Michael Miebach Chief Executive Officer
Mastercard
Mastercard
Michael Miebach Chief Executive Officer Mastercard
Michael Miebach Chief Executive Officer Mastercard
OUR MISSION
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
ABOUT THE GREATER NEW YORK REGION
American Red Cross Greater New York Region serves more than 12 million people in New York City, on Long Island, in Rockland and Westchester counties, at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and in Greenwich, Conn. We respond to an average of seven emergencies and disasters a day across the region home fires, floods, building collapses and more providing shelter, food, clothing and emotional support at no cost to those in need. We also collect lifesaving blood; teach important skills that save lives; and support veterans, military members and their families. All of this work is made possible thanks to our dedicated volunteers and the generosity of the American public.
AMERICAN RED CROSS GREATER NEW YORK REGION YEAR IN REVIEW
Red Cross Assists Residents Left without Power After Water Main Break
December 2024 | Photo by Desiree Ramos Reiner
Just days before the holidays, the American Red Cross responded to support residents affected by a water main break on Webster Ave. in the Bronx. Our volunteers served over 4000 hot meals and provided water and supplies for two weeks.
The Grinch Volunteers to Spread Holiday Cheer
December 2024 | Photo by Bob Capazzo, American Red Cross
The Metro New York North Chapter Board welcomed The Grinch as a new Red Cross volunteer to help say THANK YOU to first responders across Greenwich, Conn.
Ringing the NYSE Opening Bell
January 2025 | Photo by NYSE
Our team gathered at the New York Stock Exchange to ring the first Opening Bell of 2025 and recognize National Blood Donor Month.
Celebrating our New Office at Fort Hamilton
March 2025 | Photo by Mark Getman, Fort Hamilton Garrison Public Affairs
Our Service to the Armed Forces team celebrated the opening of our new office on Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York. Fort Hamilton is home to one of the largest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in the country.
Empire State Building Lighting Ceremony for Red Cross Month
March 2025 | Photo by Alex Wales, American Red Cross
Brooklyn Borough Hall, the Mario Cuomo Bridge, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building and many other landmarks throughout New York State were all lit red at the end of March in honor of Red Cross Month and Giving Day.
West Point Blood Drive
April 2025 | Photo by Eric Strausman, American Red Cross
909 selfless individuals rolled up their sleeves (373 for the first time) and donated 837 units of lifesaving blood at the West Point Blood Drive that takes place at the start of every spring.
Calverton National Cemetery Memorial Day Flag Placement
May 2025 | Photo by Bowen Yu, American Red Cross
American Red Cross on Long Island volunteers placed flags on the gravesites of fallen veterans at the Calverton National Cemetery to honor them on Memorial Day.
Hurricane Season Preparedness Press Conference
June 2025 | Photo by Zaide Manzur, American Red Cross
Partners from across Long Island joined together at a press conference to talk about steps the organizations have taken to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
Blood Donation at The Today Show
July 2025 | Photo by Desiree Ramos Reiner, American Red Cross
We joined The Today Show as they featured a segment about the importance of blood donations — with host Craig Melvin and two Red Cross blood donors from the Greater New York Region making a donation live on the air.
Back to School Safety at Univision’s Contigo
August 2025 | Photo courtesy of Desiree Ramos Reiner
Red Cross teams spent the afternoon in Queens at Univision’s Contigo Back to School Fair, sharing fire safety tips, registering families for free home fire safety visits, and leading fun preparedness activities with children as they got ready for the new school year.
Pace University Lifeguards Honored with
Lifesaving
Award for Heroic Rescue
August 2025 | Photo by Pace University
In a moving ceremony at Pace University, the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter proudly presented the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to Kieran Hagan and Angelo DeAugustino, lifeguards who saved a life in under 45 seconds.
Celebrating our Heroes
October 2025 | Photo by Eric Strausman, American Red Cross
Lallita Maharaj, Director of Service to the Armed Forces and International Services; Military Hero honoree Mel Cohen; and Jose Dominguez, Chapter CEO for Long Island, come together at the 2025 Long Island Heroes Celebration to recognize Mel’s lifelong commitment to veterans and the community.
Red Cross Responders at the Ballpark
October 2025 | Photo courtesy of Deirdre Dolan
Our team was excited to be in the Judge’s Chamber during game 3 of the American League Division Series. This group of dedicated Disaster Cycle Services team members represented the many responders who supported New Yorkers after local emergencies throughout the year.
Women of Service for America
November 2025 | Photo by Eric Strausman, American Red Cross
The day before Veterans Day, we held our 7th Annual Women of Service ceremony in Central Park to honor extraordinary women who have served our country and our local communities.
Supporting the Jamaica Red Cross After Hurricane Melissa
November 2025 | Photo by Clarisse Smitas, American Red Cross
Clarisse Smitas, Community Disaster Program Manager for Staten Island, deployed to Jamaica to support the Jamaica Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies following Hurricane Melissa.
Compassion in Action After the
Mount Vernon Fire
November 2025 | Photo by Frederic Klein, American Red Cross
Following the fire on Cottage Avenue in Mount Vernon, more than 150 Red Cross volunteers provided shelter, comfort, and care to over 175 adults and 40 children at the former Holmes Elementary School. Among them was a volunteer whose kindness made a deep and lasting impression on a resident, taking time to listen, offer support, and bring a sense of calm during an incredibly difficult moment.
Operation Holiday Cheer
December 2025 | Photo by Zaide Manzur, American Red Cross
Red Cross Club members NYC high schools came together to assemble nearly 100 care kits for U.S. service members stationed overseas as part of Operation Holiday Cheer.
American Red Cross Rings the Nasdaq Closing Bell
December 2025 | Photo by Nasdaq, Inc./ Vanja Savic Ming Chiang, Board Member, joined more than 60 Red Crossers to ring the Closing Bell at Nasdaq to highlight the dedication of volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters who made our work possible every day.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square
December 2025 | Photo by Alex Wales, American Red Cross
While thousands counted down to midnight in Times Square, dozens of dedicated Red Cross volunteers spent New Year’s Eve supporting the first responders who kept everyone safe.
Red Cross Opens Shelter
January 2026 | Photo courtesy of NYC Emergency Management
Regional GNY Red Cross CEO Doreen Howe and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani talk with displaced residents at the reception center for Ridgewood (Queens) fire.
Congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees!
Thank you for your continued support of the American Red Cross.
Jill and John Coyle
Erin Hamad and Erin Moldovan
The American Red Cross in Greater New York recognizes Erin Hamad and Erin Moldovan. Your outstanding leadership, creativity and commitment to the Red Cross strengthens our ability to respond when help and hope are needed most.
Thank you for turning your compassion into action.
Your Friends at the American Red Cross
To the heroes of the American Red Cross, I am honored to support you in your current mission and all of your future endeavors.
In memory of Jane Wilson Hanley
From her son Robert
THANK YOU TO OUR TABLE HOSTS
Benefactor Tables
Sudeep Doshi & Angie D’Sa
Contributor Tables
Patron Tables
Shauna McSheehy
Patron Tickets
Vincent Daniele
Nicole Fitzsimmons
John Rhea
Joan Shapiro Green
Debora Hoehne
Carol Moneton
TAD
Heather Goodchild
H. Conrad Meyer, III
Contributor Tickets
*As of 3/10/26
Funmi Taiwo
Supported by 4,994 active volunteers contributing 212,192 hours of service, resulting in a dollar value of $7.1 million.
Responded to 2,370 home fires and other disasters, helping 4,197 families.
Collected 11,207 blood products from generous volunteer donors at 479 blood drives.
Delivered 3,390 services for military members, veterans, and their families.
Trained 118,281 people in health and safety skills like First Aid, CPR, AED, and water safety.
Completed shelter training with 75 members from community partner groups.
CONNECT
WITH US!
Learn more about the Red Cross in Greater New York through our social media channels. We look forward to connecting with you!
