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 Kaytlin Crough, American Red Cross Senior Disaster Program Manager Pet preparedness is important to me because my dog Oakley came into my life during the Oak Fire in Mariposa. Unfortunately, the emergency conditions her owners found themselves in meant that they were unable to keep her safe during the wildfire evacuation. Because of her … Continue reading Pup-paredness is a Family Effort
Registered Nurse Joins American Red Cross as a Volunteer, Encourages Others to Follow Suit By Christine Owens, Communications Volunteer Ernestine Lewis, a registered nurse for 33 years, retired in March 2023 but wanted to extend her commitment to serving the community by joining the renowned humanitarian organization. She hopes to make a meaningful difference in … Continue reading Nurse Ernestine Lewis Finds Home with the Red Cross
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
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
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
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
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
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
Red Cross Central California Blog 