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.
By Alison Votaw, Communications Volunteer Ten deployments in a just over a year's span is impressive for any American Red Cross volunteer, but for Deborah Blaze, Deb as her friends call her, it's just the beginning. As Deb considered her options after retirement, a friend noted her high energy lifestyle and recommended the Red Cross. … Continue reading “I love to serve.” A Disaster Responder’s Journey Across the County
By Cindy Huge, Public Affairs Volunteer With 27 years of volunteering and 15 deployments under his work belt, Jerry Chavez is a dedicated American Red Cross volunteer. He has spent the last week in the Kern River Valley, supporting people in their recovery after the historic Borel Fire left devastation in its path. To him … Continue reading 27 Years of Volunteering and Counting
Two chance encounters lead a couple to compassionately helping others By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Volunteer Bob and Rosana Bontrager have always loved spending their vacations traveling the USA in their RV. While camping in Tucson, Arizona nearly 250 miles from their home, they met a gentleman who was an American Red Cross volunteer. This … Continue reading RV Enthusiasts Turned Red Cross Volunteers: A Heartwarming Journey
By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer Each person who comes in to contact with American Red Cross Volunteer, Manny Lerma, is greeted with words of comfort and a caring smile. Lerma has been volunteering for the Red Cross for nearly the decade and has deployed 27 times, across Central California and the United … Continue reading Answering the Call: Manny Lerma’s enthusiastic attitude makes a positive difference
By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer “She is the best volunteer and kindest person here,” said Edward Power, a Kern River Valley resident. Power and the other shelter residents have enjoyed meeting one of American Red Cross' newest volunteers, Serena, who has been working in the Tehachapi Shelter as a result of the … Continue reading Serena’s Volunteerism Spans Across Multiple Continents
Terri Birch grew up in Oklahoma on the ancestral lands of the Wichita people, a confederation of Southern Plains Native American tribes. Later, she raised a family, living and working in busy Orange County, CA. She was happy to retire to the mountains, giving up the rat race and buying a six-acre ranch in Bodfish, … Continue reading Everyone is Welcome . . . Pets Included!
California Couple Flees Another Wildfire By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer Debra Thomas' husband woke her from an afternoon nap to alert her about the imminent danger posed by the Borel Fire, prompting them to evacuate. This nightmarish scenario feels familiar to Debra, who has had to evacuate four times in the past … Continue reading Here We Go Again
Jim Steel is no stranger to the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains, having lived in the high-altitude pine forest for the last 20 years. In that time, he has also become familiar with the devastating wildfires that are an all-too-common occurrence. So it wasn't the first time he and his wife found their home in the … Continue reading Twice Burned But Never Shy
Grandmothers’ Wedding Ring Found following a Devastating Home Fire By Cindy Huge, Public Affairs Volunteer During the chaos of an early morning fire that engulfed their beloved home, a family of six found themselves homeless and distraught. Thanks to the persistent barking of their dog, they were alerted to the danger and managed to escape … Continue reading Finding Joy Amongst the Ashes
By Taylor Poisall, Red Cross Public Affairs After a lifetime of living through multiple wildfires in the foothills of Fresno County, Joyce Horne knows when it’s time for her to evacuate. A late June thunderstorm sent more than 1,000 lightning strikes across the Central Valley, causing multiple vegetation fires across Fresno County. The Flash and … Continue reading Sew Much to Be Grateful For
Red Cross Central California Blog 