Joan Foley, director of American Red Cross in Greater New York-Queens, provides borough residents with emergency preparedness information and is assisted by Red Cross youth volunteers (left to right, Asmika Dangol, Shalini Kishan and Reema Mulchandoni) at Community Partnership Day in Forest Hills on September 10. The event, sponsored by New York City Councilmember Melinda Katz and the Forest Hills Civic Association, was held at P.S. 174 (65-10 Dieterle Crescent) and featured many local organizations and city agencies.

The American Red Cross in Greater New York-Queens provided residents with information packets about upcoming Ready New York presentations that will help them become better prepared for emergencies such as fires and coastal storms. Ready New York programs are free two-hour events where attendees have access to information booths staffed by emergency experts from the New York City Fire Department, New York City Police Department and New York City Office of Emergency Management. Participants receive an interactive CD that can be used to create a customized evacuation plan and other tools that will help any family learn how to become prepared.

Upcoming Queens Ready New York programs will be held on:

- Monday, September 25: 2 p.m., in Mandarin, Taiwan Center, 137-44 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, hosted by New York City Councilmember John Lui.

- Tuesday, September 26: 8 p.m., Sunnyside Community Center, 43-31 39th Street, Sunnyside, hosted by New York City Councilmember Eric Gioia and New York State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

For information and registration: 1-877-REDCROSS or click here.