Sunday, November 15, 2026
Tom Von Essen’s connection to the American Red Cross spans more than five decades.
On Oct. 22, the Rockville Centre resident received the organization’s Community Impact Legacy Hero Award at its Long Island Heroes Celebration at the Heritage Club at Bethpage, in Farmingdale. A video package about his career played before the award.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been honored by Red Cross,” Von Essen said. “It’s funny, because I’ve been connected through the fire department in New York as a young firefighter. I’m sitting in the South Bronx freezing and a nice old lady would come over a cup of coffee and a donut. And then I’m a commissioner, 30 years later on September 11th, and the Red Cross comes and sets up tents and feeds the workers and the volunteers.
“And then, 15 years later, I’m running FEMA in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and the Red Cross is there again, and then in New York at COVID,” he continued. “So I’ve been the recipient of their hard work to help strangers my whole working life. It’s an honor for them to find a really old guy and honor me.”
A firefighter for more than 40 years, Von Essen was FDNY commissioner during the Sept. 11 attacks. From 2017 to 2020, he was a FEMA regional administrator, helping Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria and coordinating New York’s early pandemic response.
He joked about the award. After looking up the term, he said, “I looked up the word ‘legacy,’ and it’s kind of a lasting impact someone leaves on the world after they are gone. And all I could think of was the Red Cross.”
Six Long Islanders were honored for contributions reflecting the Red Cross’s mission. Long Beach philanthropist Harvey Weisenberg, a former city councilman and state assemblyman, received the Humanitarian Award. The 92-year-old advocated for people with developmental disabilities, inspired by his son, Ricky, who had cerebral palsy, and supported local groups financially and through policymaking.
Stacey Sweet, vice chair of the Red Cross Long Island board, praised Weisenberg’s lifelong service and his focus on helping others. Weisenberg said love is better than hate and anger.
Long Beach City Manager Dan Creighton praised Weisenberg’s more than 50 years of service to Long Beach, Long Island and New York.
Sea Cliff’s Susanne Deegan received the Help Can’t Wait Hero Award for donating a kidney to David Geliashvili, a La Bussola of Glen Cove manager. A longtime patron, she learned of his polycystic kidney disease, was tested and became a living donor.
Elmont resident and New York City Police Officer Freddy Cerpa received the First Responder Hero Award for saving two children in separate incidents barely a month apart, first off duty last December and then on duty in January.
Huntington’s Brandi M. Carney received the Military Hero Award. The social worker has spent nearly 30 years helping veterans, military families, first responders and trauma survivors.
Bay Shore’s Finn Schiavone received the Youth Hero Award. A 2022 wrestling accident left him unable to walk or talk; now 18, he has nearly recovered and works to inspire others.
