From P.E. Teacher to Red Cross Volunteer, Varlene Kimura Makes a Difference

By Mason Anthony, Communications Intern From educating our local middle school youth on how to stay more physically active to giving her valuable time to the Red Cross as a volunteer, Varlene Kimura has a passion for serving her community. Over the last two years, Kimura has volunteered at multiple Sound the Alarm events where … Continue reading From P.E. Teacher to Red Cross Volunteer, Varlene Kimura Makes a Difference

Sounding the Alarm in Lost Hills

Two minutes may be all the time you have to escape a home fire before it’s too late. That’s why the American Red Cross Kern County & Eastern Sierra Chapter partnered with The Wonderful Company, Lost Hills Community Center, Kern County Fire Department and Kern County CERT on March 18 to Sound the Alarm about … Continue reading Sounding the Alarm in Lost Hills

Red Cross Responds as Storms Impact Central California

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

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

The Impact of Giving Time

By Osvaldo Rodriguez I was invited to spend a few hours volunteering on a Saturday morning by my friend Eddie, who is also the Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Kern County, to volunteer for Sound the Alarm. He informed me that the company that I work for, The Wonderful Company, had partnered … Continue reading The Impact of Giving Time

How volunteers are helping to End Home Fires

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

Profoundly Heartbreaking Experience Leads to Heartfelt Volunteerism

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

How Preparedness Made a Difference During a Wildfire Evacuation

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

A Family That Prepares Together

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

Why I Volunteer: Meet Taylor Simonian

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