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 Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer On Thursday, March 9, 2023, NOAA issued a warning that an atmospheric river – the technical term for a torrential rainstorm - would hit Central California. In the following weeks, storm after storm drenched the entire state, causing devastating flooding and forcing entire communities to evacuate to higher ground. … Continue reading The Power of Community – Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Steve Medina is a Red Cross volunteer serving with the Disaster Action Team, in Mass Care, and recently as a part … Continue reading Join Me to Save Lives
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
It’s important to know that you may have just two minutes to escape a home fire — which is the nation’s most frequent disaster. That’s why the American Red Cross is preparing families to act quickly through our Home Fire Campaign. “We are the leads for the Home Fire Campaign here in Ventura County,” said … Continue reading A Family That Prepares Together
By Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer When thousands were forced from their homes near Yosemite National Park due to the fast-moving Oak Fire, almost 100 humans landed at the Red Cross shelter in nearby Mariposa. Along with them came another 100 family members - pet cats and dogs, and an assortment of birds and reptiles. … Continue reading It’s Our Pets That Make Us Human
Taylor Simonian joined the American Red Cross in late 2020 and has since gone on to do incredible things for the Central Valley area. She began her volunteer journey by supporting the Creek Fire relief efforts and helping recruit health care professionals to volunteer with the Red Cross as a Volunteer Recruitment Team Member. By … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Meet Taylor Simonian
Newbury Park church partners with American Red Cross to save lives and serve others By Tom Horan, Public Affairs Volunteer While he was still relatively new to being a pastor at Living Oaks Church in Newbury Park, Lead Pastor Austin Axen clearly remembers the devastation that befell his community in November of 2018. “All of … Continue reading Local Church Comes Together to Save Lives; Inspire Others to Give Blood
by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer I had heard that one pint of blood from just one person could save up to three lives. I read that the national emergency blood supply was at its lowest level in more than a decade. I was told that donating my blood would be safe and easy. But … Continue reading Easy as 1 + 1 = 3
by Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer Dwayne Levingston has been serving with the Victims Chaplain Association for the past 10 years. One of the many hats he wears is to provide a portable shower unit to residents affected by disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes. When Victims Chaplain Association received word from the local Red Cross that their shower unit was … Continue reading Community Partners in Action
Story and photos by Dan Santos/Red Cross Public Affairs When Diane Campbell was 16, her grandmother suffered a heart attack. Her grandmother recovered from the emergency, but it had a life-changing impact on Diane. Campbell, desperate to seek knowledge on what to do if this were to happen again to one of her loved ones, found the opportunity to help when her high school offered an … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Meet Diane Campbell
Red Cross Central California Blog 