2024 Red Cross Heroes Gala Journal

RED CROSS HEROES GALA

MARCH 6, 2024

ZIEGFELD BALLROOM

NEW YORK, NY

Hero Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Visionary

PROGRAM

Welcome

by Ashleigh Banfield, NewsNation

Introduction of National Hero by Captain Zeita Merchant

Accepted by Brandon Tsay

Introduction of Good Samaritan Hero

by John Rhea, American Red Cross in Greater New York Board Vice Chair

Accepted by Juan Dilone

Red Cross in Greater New York

by Celena Sarillo, Interim Regional Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross in Greater New York

Dinner is served

Introduction of Humanitarian Honoree

by Jill Coyle, American Red Cross in Greater New York Board Chair

Accepted by Brian Smith, New York Yankees Foundation and Haley Tantleff, Steinbrenner Family and New York Yankees Foundation

Words of Appreciation

by Mark Shelton, Heroes Gala Chair

In Her Own Words

by Gail McGovern, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross

Introduction of Corporate Leadership Honoree

by Gail McGovern, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross

Accepted by Michael Miebach, Mastercard

Dessert, coffee and music

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP HONOREE

Mastercard

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.

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.

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. 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.

Michael Miebach Chief Executive Officer Mastercard

HUMANITARIAN HONOREE

New York Yankees Foundation

The Yankees are humbled and honored to receive the Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross, which throughout its long and distinguished history — has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to serving society’s most vulnerable individuals.

For well over 30 years, our organizations have worked together on numerous initiatives, supplying vital support in the wake of tragedies, and encouraging CPR preparedness and fire safety awareness. Our shared values and teamwork have saved lives and provided footing for countless New Yorkers to rebuild their lives.

The New York Yankees and the New York Yankees Foundation are committed to engaging in collaborative efforts with their neighbors and community partners to enhance the support systems, future opportunities and overall standard of living for New Yorkers.

Yankees community initiatives target five overarching pillars of focus — economic development, health and wellness, education, social responsibility and overall quality of life. In attempting to meet our aspirations, the Yankees employ a wide range of outreach, including grants for established community-based organizations (CBOs), donations of goods and essential supplies in times of crisis, and long-term programs in which Yankees resources and expertise supplement preexisting community networks of support.

To further manifest the collaborative ethos of the New York Yankees Foundation, Yankee Stadium regularly opens its doors to host shared community ventures and educational programming. The venue is also provided to CBOs and city agencies as a setting for large-scale activations, such as community resource and job fairs, monthly grocery distribution, district-wide school events and vaccination drives.

Through all our community-centric endeavors, the Yankees seek to cultivate avenues for lasting change and increased enfranchisement for underserved populations.

NATIONAL HERO

Brandon Tsay

Brandon Tsay demonstrated remarkable courage on January 21, 2023, when he disarmed the Monterey Park, California mass shooter during Lunar New Year celebrations. Brandon’s heroism has since been profiled with NBC News, Good Morning America, The New York Times, among others, and Brandon has been honored by U.S. Representative Judy Chu, California Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and by the 118th U.S. Congress, and at President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address. Brandon was awarded a medal of courage from the Alhambra Police Department and now runs the Brandon Tsay Hero Fund in partnership with the Asian Pacific Community Fund.

GOOD SAMARITAN HERO

Juan Dilone

Juan Dilone bravely leapt into action on March 24, 2023, when while assembling a new bed for his own child he noticed a building across the street from his new apartment was on fire. He has been dubbed the ‘East New York Spider-Man’ after he climbed the three-story building to rescue three children from a burning apartment, the youngest just 3 months old. When he isn’t scaling buildings, Juan works as a butcher at a local grocery store, and is a father to two children, ages 5 and 13.

CELENA SARILLO

Interim 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 2024 Red Cross Heroes Gala, a celebration of our humanitarian mission and those who make this work possible.

Every day I am reminded of the urgent need for our vital mission: providing assistance after disasters, helping our military communities, collecting lifesaving blood, teaching critical preparedness and lifesaving skills, and supporting our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners during international humanitarian crises. And I am filled with gratitude for the countless volunteers, employees, partners and donors who deliver this lifesaving mission across the region and around the world. As part of this special evening, we will recognize some very generous and committed partners: our 2024 Corporate Leadership Honoree Mastercard and our 2024 Humanitarian Honoree the New York Yankees Foundation.

And we will shine a spotlight on two selfless and inspiring heroes:

• During Lunar New Year celebrations in 2023, Brandon Tsay demonstrated remarkable courage when he disarmed the Monterey Park, California mass shooter.

• Last Spring, while moving into his new apartment, Juan Dilone fearlessly jumped into action, scaling the building across the street to save three children trapped by a fire in Brooklyn.

To all of you, our supporters here tonight, I offer my deepest gratitude for your friendship and support of the American Red Cross. We would be unable to carry out our Red Cross mission without your steadfast commitment.

On behalf of those we serve, thank you again for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Celena Sarillo

Dear Friends,

JILL COYLE

Chair, Board of Directors

American Red Cross in Greater New York

On behalf of the American Red Cross in Greater New York Board of Directors, THANK YOU for being with us tonight in support of such an important humanitarian organization.

For over 140 years, the American Red Cross has carried out its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering thanks to the support of community-minded donors, volunteers, partners and employees. Whether supporting New Yorkers displaced by a home fire, teaching lifesaving skills and preparedness education, collecting vital blood products, delivering critical services to the military community, or working with our partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network to respond to devastating events, the work of the Red Cross has never been in greater demand.

In addition to celebrating the work of this American institution, tonight we will also pay tribute to some generous Red Cross partners Mastercard and the New York Yankees Foundation. We will also recognize extraordinary heroes Brandon Tsay and Juan Dilone whose courageous acts saved lives and inspire us all.

To all our supporters, your belief in us ensures that the American Red Cross will be there whenever and wherever it is needed. Thank you.

With gratitude,

Jill Coyle

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD

Event Emcee

Award-winning veteran journalist Ashleigh Banfield is the host of “Banfield” on NewsNation.

“Banfield” airs weeknights at 10 p.m. ET, offering in-depth coverage of the day’s top news stories. It also features Banfield interviewing newsmakers, politicians and celebrities.

Before joining NewsNation, Banfield, an Emmy, Telly, Iris, Gracie and National Headliner Award winner, served as a legal analyst and host for Court TV, as well as a regular contributor to Investigation Discovery’s ID “Murder Mystery” series.

During her 30-year career, Banfield has served as host of the A+E prime-time series, “Live Rescue,” host of “Primetime Justice with Ashleigh Banfield” on HLN, anchored “Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield” on CNN, and co-anchored the CNN morning news show, “Early Start.”

She has also served as a correspondent for ABC News, reporting for “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” “ABC World News Tonight,” and “Nightline.” Prior to ABC, Banfield anchored and hosted three programs on TruTV including the daily legal news program, “Banfield and Ford: Courtside,” the weekly evening show, “Hollywood Heat,” and the prime-time special series that she created and co-produced, “Disorder in the Court.” As a correspondent for NBC News, Banfield reported for “The Today Show,” “NBC Nightly News,” and “Dateline.” During this time, she also anchored several prime-time series on MSNBC, including “A Region in Conflict and Ashleigh Banfield: On Location.”

Dorothy L. Alpert

Ashleigh Banfield

Matt Barr

Tonia Bottoms

Katherine Brennan

Kermitt Brooks

Tim Castelli

Mylan Denerstein

Chairs of Affiliated Chapter Boards

Lisa Cooper

Chair, Metro NY North Chapter Board

James Flannery Interim Chair, Long Island Chapter Board

Heather Wise

Red Cross National Philanthropic Board

GREATER NEW YORK BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jill Coyle, Board Chair • David Owen, Vice Chair • John Rhea, Vice Chair

Lyn DeSantis

Bradley Finkle

Marilu Galvez

Heather Goodchild

Joan Shapiro Green

Mr. Edwin B. (Ted) Hathaway

Steven Joenk

Ex-Officio Members

Zachary Iscol

Kelly McKinney PE CBCP

Captain Zeita Merchant

Russell Johnston

Radford W. Klotz

Shailesh Kotwal

Tara Maguire

Inderdeep Malik

H. Conrad Meyer, III

Peter Micca

Suresh Muthuswami

Associate Board Members

Erin Phillips Hamad

Erin Moldovan

Rachel Rosenfeld

Jill Coyle

Sherry Hsuing

HEROES SELECTION COMMITTEE

Meredith Melling

Captain Zeita Merchant

Fritz Sam

Mark Shelton

Peter Riguardi

Mark Shelton

Matthew Sniffen

Meredith Spatz

Frank Stadelmaier

Funmi Taiwo

Jeffrey Vacirca, MD

Emeritus Board Members

Ira M. Millstein

John B. Osborn

Peter M. Rapaport

Nikki Shroulder

GREATER NEW YORK RED CROSS SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Celena Sarillo, Interim Regional Chief Executive Officer

Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Chapter Chief Executive Officer, Metro NY North

Jose Dominguez, Chapter Chief Executive Officer, Long Island

Dario J. Diaz, Jr., Regional Chief Disaster Officer

Andrea Grimaldi-Grafer, Regional Chief Volunteer Services Officer

Brandon Ponder, Regional Chief Development Officer

Desiree Ramos Reiner, Regional Chief External Affairs Officer

Susan Rounds, Regional Chief Operations Officer

Lallita Maharaj, Director, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services

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 West Point Military Academy and in Greenwich, Connecticut. 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.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

GREATER NEW YORK REGION YEAR IN REVIEW

March 2023 | Yonkers, NY

Help After 97-Units Apartment Building Fire

After a fire tore through an apartment building in Yonkers, NY, Red Cross team members provided emergency relief to residents. Photo Credit: Kevin Suttlehan, American Red Cross

March 2023 | New York, NY

Red Cross Month

New York landmarks across the state lit up red in support of Red Cross Month and Red Cross Giving Day. Photo Credit: Brett Whysel, American Red Cross

March 2023 | West Point, NY

Collecting Lifesaving Blood

The Red Cross partnered with the U.S. Military Academy West Point to host a multi-day blood drive where more than 900 units were donated by hundreds of individuals. Photo Credit: Kevin Suttlehan, American Red Cross

March 2023 | Long Island, NY

Prepare Brentwood

In partnership with the Brentwood Public Library, Red Cross hosted its first Prepare the Town on Long Island, a day-long community event featuring safety courses, family readiness training, service opportunities, refreshments and prizes. Photo Credit: Lori-Ann Pizzarelli, American Red Cross

March 2023 | Long Island, NY

Lifesaving Award and Red Cross Month Celebrations on Long Island

Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone recognized and celebrated our dedicated volunteers who deliver our lifesaving mission across Long Island and presented the Certificate of Merit to Terry Jenik for her lifesaving efforts. Photo Credit: Desiree Ramos Reiner, American Red Cross

April 2023 | New York, NY

Red Cross x New York International Auto Show

The Red Cross held its first blood drive at the New York International Auto Show and taught hands-only CPR all week to show attendees. Photo Credit: Eric Strausman, American Red Cross

May

2023 | New York, NY

Sound the Alarm

Volunteers on Long Island, in Metro NY North and New York City teamed up with government officials and corporate partners to install free smoke alarms and educate the community about fire safety as part of the Sound the Alarm campaign. Photo Credit: Eric Strausman, American Red Cross

June 2023 | Long Island, NY

Hurricane Preparedness on Long Island

The American Red Cross on Long Island hosted its annual Hurricane Preparedness press conference alongside local partners to encourage families to update their evacuation plans, organize supplies and stay informed during hurricane season. Photo Credit: Chi Kong Lui, American Red Cross

June 2023 | New York, NY

Women Who Lead Luncheon

Over 100 women attended the annual Red Cross Tiffany Circle of Women Leaders in Greater NY Women Who Lead Luncheon which featured a panel of women in sports.

Photo Credit: Lisa Weatherbee, American Red Cross

June 2023 | Greenwich, Conn. Safety Town

The Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter hosted a comprehensive two-week children’s safety education program that brought together representatives from Greenwich Police, Fire, EMS and Animal Control, along with Red Cross instructors to teach awareness and accident prevention skills to over 200 children.

Photo Credit: Gregory White, American Red Cross

June 2023 | New York, NY

NYC Pride

Together with thousands from around the globe, Red Cross staff and volunteers marched in the New York City Pride Parade to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Photo Credit: MP Nunan, American Red Cross

June 2023 | New York, NY

Greater NY Volunteers Support Red Cross Response to Typhoon Mawar in Guam

Ray Robledo along with many other volunteers from across the Greater New York Region deployed to support communities affected by the devastation caused by Typhoon Mawar. Photo Credit: Provided by Ray Robledo, American Red Cross

August 2023 | Bronx, NY

Back to School Resource Fair in Yankee Stadium

Red Cross staff and volunteers trained 240 students in hands-only CPR and provided fire safety education at the Back-to-School Resource Fair in Yankee Stadium in partnership with New York City Public Schools and The Bronx Community Foundation. Photo Credit: Anthony Schiavo, American Red Cross

August 2023 | New York, NY

Volunteers Support Red Cross Response to Maui Wildfires

Team members from across the Greater New York Region traveled to Hawaii to support the Red Cross response to the tragic wildfires on Maui. Photo Credit: American Red Cross

August 2023 | New York, NY

National Night Out

Red Cross team members celebrated National Night Out and shared important preparedness information at events in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Spring Valley (Rockland County), Glen Cove, Long Beach and Brentwood. Photo Credit: Provided by Celia Vollmer, American Red Cross

September 2023 | New York, NY

Metro NY North Headquarters Renovation Celebration

Red Cross board members, staff and volunteers celebrated the renovation and modernization of the Metro NY North Chapter Headquarters in Greenwich, Conn., which includes the state-of-the-art Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center.

Photo Credit: Dan Neiman, American Red Cross

September 2023 | New York, NY

Clara’s Council

The Clara’s Council Kick-off event was held at Mastercard and featured a moderated conversation between Lindsay Hans, president of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, and former Greater New York Regional CEO Mary Barneby, about lessons they would share with their younger selves.

Photo Credit: Nathalie Sayago, American Red Cross

October 2023 | Brooklyn, NY

Partnering with FDNY to End Home Fires

Together with FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and Executive Director of the FDNY Foundation Jean O’Shea, the Red Cross in Greater NY recommitted to working together for the Sound the Alarm program, to install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety information in high risk communities across New York City. Photo credit: Desiree Ramos Reiner, American Red Cross

November 2023 | Central Park, NY

Living Tribute to Women Who Serve

Red Cross volunteer Alison Bergman received the Women of Service award in Central Park in recognition for her work with Operation Cookie Drop, an initiative which combines her 30 years as a Girl Scout leader and passion to help service members and veterans. Since 2002, Operation Cookie Drop has delivered cookies to every branch of service. Photo Credit: MP Nunan, American Red Cross

November 2023 | New York, NY

The American Red Cross was a featured partner in the Giving Machines sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Times Square and across the country. Photo credit: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

December 2023 | New York, NY

The Fifth Avenue Association selected the American Red Cross as its Gift of Fifth charity partner and invited the team to help light the iconic snowflake to help celebrate the season. Photo Credit: Nathalie Sayago, American Red Cross

December 2023 | Bronx, NY

Bronx Building Collapse

The American Red Cross in Greater New York supported dozens of families after a partial building collapse on Billingsley Terrace in the Bronx on Monday, December 11, 2023, displacing nearly 200 people. Photo Credit: Desiree Ramos Reiner, American Red Cross

December 2023 | Queens,

NY

Sunnyside Multi-Family Fire

Days before Christmas, a 5-alarm fire on 47th Avenue in the Sunnyside section of Queens displaced over 100 families. The Red Cross supported a service center at Sunnyside Community Services for many days after the incident to provide casework, food, supplies and more. Photo Credit: Frederic Klein, American Red Cross

January 2024 | Albany,

NY

2024 Legislators of the Year

American Red Cross Regions across New York State celebrated five New York State legislators for their commitment to building more resilient communities during a ceremony in Albany, NY. The 2024 Legislators of the Year are Hon. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Hon. Pamela J. Hunter, Hon. Angelo J. Morinello, Hon. Alexis Weik and Hon. Kenneth Zebrowski. Photo Credit: Jack Guzewich, American Red Cross

The Friese Foundation is proud to support the American Red Cross and congratulates heroes

Brandon Tsay and Juan Dilone

Red Cross Heroes Gala

Red Cross Heroes Gala

Red Cross Heroes Gala

Red

We are proud to support the American Red Cross Heroes Gala

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Discover the role that’s right for you!

Our volunteers turn their compassion into action, bringing help and hope to communities every day. Ninety percent of the American Red Cross workforce are volunteers inspired to give back.

Each volunteer experience is unique, where your background, talents and skills can make a real difference in people’s lives. From helping those affected by disasters like home fires and floods, to supporting the collection of lifesaving blood, to services supporting our U.S. military members, veterans and families you can make a difference.

What will be your Red Cross story?

redcross.org/volunteer

Red Cross Heroes Gala

THANK

Benefactor Tables

Jill and John Coyle

Contributor Tables

Deloitte

Patron Tables

As of February 23, 2024

Red Cross Heroes Gala

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!