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 Lucca Lorenzi, Public Affairs Volunteer Mary Bastos has served the Central California Red Cross Region for over four years, but her propensity to help others began long before she became a Red Cross volunteer. At a young age, Bastos’ parents instilled in her the importance of dedicating their time to helping others; her father … Continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet Mary Bastos
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
Every day, seven people die in home fires, most often in homes without working smoke alarms. That’s why the American Red Cross launched our Home Fire Campaign in 2014 to save lives. Sound the Alarm is a critical part of the campaign. Through our home visits, we’ve installed more than 2.1 million free smoke alarms and prepared more than 2.3 million people for … Continue reading Sound the Alarm Effort Empowers Thousands to Stay Safe From Home Fires
A dangerous heat wave is headed to Central California over the next several days with temperatures much higher than normal. Many areas already have wildfire activity and there is a danger of more wildfires starting because of the ongoing drought. The American Red Cross Central California Region is working with emergency officials and preparing to … Continue reading Red Cross Urges Everyone to Get Ready For Dangerous High Temperatures
By Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer A text from the Fire Communications Center woke Paul Brown, a volunteer with the Pacific Coast chapter, just after midnight. He was on the road a few minutes later, responding with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) to assist the survivors of a home fire. Each year, the … Continue reading Answering the Call: A Journey of Recovery After a Home Fire
8 Gifts That Give Back What could be better than the joy of watching your family open gifts thoughtfully chosen just for them? How about if those gifts help to support a cause you both care about? And what if those gifts could also help them to be prepared in case of an emergency? Everyone … Continue reading Red Cross Holiday Gift Guide
If your home was affected by a wildfire, do not return home until authorities say it is safe. Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, ash pits and fallen power lines. Then take these first steps to inspect your home to ensure that you and your loved ones … Continue reading Returning Home After a Wildfire
by Winnie Romeril, Red Cross Public Affairs As the Creek Fire swept through the Sierra Nevada foothills, many Mono tribal members, like Thomas Riley, were forced from their homes into the arms of the Red Cross. “We know so many families who have lost their homes and everything they had. Our community was hit hard,” … Continue reading Red Cross Help “A Blessing”
by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer Accessing life-saving information and tools from the Red Cross is easier than ever. Our award-winning suite of free smartphone apps already put Red Cross content at your fingertips. Now, all you have to do is ask Alexa! Skills for Alexa now include critical first aid instruction, putting free and … Continue reading “Alexa, How Can the Red Cross Help?”
by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer From how to be safe and prepared in an emergency to how to take care of your pet, the American Red Cross has a suite of apps for mobile devices that includes something for everyone. Emergency App The all-inclusive Emergency App combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help … Continue reading What Are They Saying About Red Cross Mobile Apps?
Red Cross Central California Blog 