Red Cross Responds as Storms Impact Central California

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American Red Cross Supporting Around-the-Clock Relief Efforts at Local Shelters Updated 4/11: In California, the 15th atmospheric river will cause heavy rain and snow across the region over the next few days. Hundreds of Red Crossers from all over the country have been helping in California since these atmospheric rivers began. If an emergency threatens your neighborhood, … Continue reading Red Cross Responds as Storms Impact Central California

Christine Wilson: Finding a Calling

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By Lucca Lorenzi, Communications Volunteer In January of 2019, Christine Wilson joined the American Red Cross after retiring from her career in local government. Wilson knew she had wanted to join the Red Cross after her sister suffered a home fire. When she went to help her sister, Wilson was met with two Disaster Action … Continue reading Christine Wilson: Finding a Calling

Jeannie Wilson: “Volunteering is the Best Medicine”

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Life and Loss, One Volunteer’s Journey of Sharing Her Heart for Service Sometimes, you’re simply at the right place at the right time. For American Red Cross volunteer Jeannie Wilson, it was the moment that she pulled into the parking lot of her local Red Cross chapter in January 2017. It wasn’t the trip she … Continue reading Jeannie Wilson: “Volunteering is the Best Medicine”

Spreading Love Everywhere They Go

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by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer As Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, the Red Cross put out an urgent appeal for volunteers. For Jennie and David Risard, this was a call to action. “I heard on the radio that there was a training class for volunteers,” recalls Jennie. “I had heard … Continue reading Spreading Love Everywhere They Go

Soaring to New Heights to Help

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Neighbors Helping Neighbors By Marcos Osorio, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer As relentless storms caused flooding, landslides, power outages, severe damage to roadways and numerous evacuations from one end of the state to the other, one small community found itself cut off with nowhere to go. This year’s back-to-back storms led to rockslides and major … Continue reading Soaring to New Heights to Help

Providing Comfort in the Face of the Storm

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A collection of stories from Public Affairs volunteers, Sivani Babu and Dave Wagner. Photos by Sivani Babu. Dozens of local American Red Cross volunteers have been helping provide people with a safe place to stay, food to eat, relief supplies, emotional support and comfort throughout the tri-county Pacific Coast Chapter covering San Luis Obipso, Santa … Continue reading Providing Comfort in the Face of the Storm

2022 in Review: Red Cross Mission in Action

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By Tony Briggs, Regional CEO and Pacific Coast Chapter Executive Director In what has become a year-end tradition, it’s time to take a look back together at 2022. We thank our volunteers, financial and blood donors, staff and supporters who carry out our mission each and every day. In the past year, our teams delivered food, … Continue reading 2022 in Review: Red Cross Mission in Action

Santa Paula High School Fire Impacts Nearby Residents

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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

The Client High Five

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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

How volunteers are helping to End Home Fires

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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