Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, Jr. is joined at the August 12 Queens event in his district by Elisa Walsh (left) and Nicole Bayard, volunteers at the Queens area office of the American Red Cross in Greater New York.

The Queens area office of American Red Cross of Greater New York participated in the August 12 neighborhood event at Public School 232 - Harold Schneiderman Playground (155th Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets, Howard Beach), where volunteers distributed safety and preparedness information to residents as they explained the importance of individual and family emergency preparedness. Topics included hurricane readiness, tips about weathering the heat and details about upcoming Ready New York programs in Queens that will coincide with National Preparedness Month in September. Ready New York is a free two-hour event dedicated to preparing individuals and families for emergencies. The event was hosted by Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (District 32).