Red Cross Central California Blog
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.
The Santa Paula High School “girl’s gym” built in the 1930's was more than just a historical building - it was filled with memories shared by so many in the community. Generations of students, some of whom now work at the school, shared what that building meant to them from attending prom to practicing with the … Continue reading Santa Paula High School Fire Impacts Nearby Residents
By Christin Newlon, Red Cross Volunteer Red Cross Volunteer, Miller Newlon, is a long way from his Paso Robles home. Having served in health services during Hurricane Katrina, Miller was eager to volunteer again with the American Red Cross upon his retirement. Seventeen years later, he is in Fort Myers, Florida as a Disaster Health Services … Continue reading The Client High Five
Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. Donors, volunteers and partners made our Sound the Alarm. Save a Life campaign a lifesaving success this year. This past spring, Red Cross of Central California volunteers and local partners installed more than 1,100 free smoke alarms across … Continue reading How volunteers are helping to End Home Fires
By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Volunteer Life seemed to come to a halt when Cody Blackford heard the news that two of his family members had perished in a house fire. “I remember getting a call from my parents, while I was at work, informing me that my eighteen- and three-year-old nieces had passed away … Continue reading Profoundly Heartbreaking Experience Leads to Heartfelt Volunteerism
By Taylor Poisall and Dave Wagner, Red Cross Communications Bernard and Lynda Brown moved to the Mariposa mountains from the Bay Area just over a year ago. After being forced from their home by the Oak Fire, they found themselves at a Red Cross evacuation shelter. "I looked out the garage door and everything was … Continue reading How Preparedness Made a Difference During a Wildfire Evacuation
This month, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the many Red Cross volunteers who give their time and talent to our mission. Volunteers like Manny Lerma who are driven with passion to serve their community and beyond. After his most recent deployment, Manny shared about his experience volunteering, his culture and how it has impacted … Continue reading The Three Amigos from the American Red Cross
By Taylor Poisall, Red Cross Communications Karrín Pachecho is no stranger to evacuating. On Wednesday, September 7, the North Fork resident was outside working in the yard when she heard planes flying overhead. "That's when I saw the flames. They were a rock-throwing distance away." "I thought I would do things differently this time. But … Continue reading “The Red Cross is #1 in My Book”
By Barbara Wood, Red Cross Volunteer The story Aaron and Heather told me last month as they sat outside a Red Cross shelter in Mariposa eating dinner pierced my heart. They and two of their four children had lived for the past year in a very, very special complex, at the top of a dead-end … Continue reading Out of the Ashes, Hope Remains
By Lucca Lorenzi, Public Affairs Volunteer In the fall of 2021, my grandmother passed away after years of living with Alzheimer’s. She grew up in Lyon, France during World War II, and her father was taken captive by Nazi soldiers for helping thousands of Jewish citizens flee from the city of Lyon during nazi regime’s … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Meet Lucca Lorenzi
By Barbara Wood, Red Cross volunteer Phyllis Grin and her grandson spent a week in a Red Cross shelter in Mariposa after they were forced to evacuate by the fast-moving Oak Fire, but she said they found it hard to go home when they were allowed to return. When the evacuation orders for their neighborhood … Continue reading Mariposa evacuees found it hard to leave the Red Cross shelter
Red Cross Central California Blog 