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 Lori Wilson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter It is hard to believe that we are already looking at the 1-year anniversary of the Creek Fire. At the time it was the single largest wildfire in California history, a record for only a short time— now broken by the Dixie … Continue reading Red Cross commemorates the 1-year anniversary of the Creek Fire
By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Every eight minutes the American Red Cross responds to emergencies both locally and nationally. On August 18, 2021, the American Red Cross of Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter was activated to help shelter residents evacuated from the French Fire. Volunteers and staff set up a shelter at … Continue reading Turning Heartbreak into Hope
Story by Cindy Huge, Public Affairs Volunteer Rarely do I cry when interviewing an evacuated resident, but today I found myself shedding a few tears. Life recently for Nina Baetz has been very difficult. Her daughter, who was terminally ill, passed away just a few days prior to the mandatory evacuation orders for the fast-moving … Continue reading Life’s Most Difficult Season
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
by Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer Margie Manning knows firsthand the devastation a wildfire can bring. In 2016, the Erskine Fire swept through the neighborhood where Manning and her husband lived. They quickly evacuated with their pets and sought shelter with the American Red Cross. “There were several hundred people in the shelter and even … Continue reading Caring for People and Communities
by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer - Photos by Scott Dalton, Red Cross “My husband was at work when the first warnings came in,” explained Michelle Scott. She frantically began to pack the bare necessities as the fast-moving Dixie Fire bore down on her home in Lake Almanor. She gave her son, nine-year-old Gavin, a … Continue reading Tears Are Contagious
Story and photos by Cindy Huge/Red Cross Public Affairs Debra Rohatsch loves to swim daily in her community pool, and that is where she met a new friend and neighbor who volunteers with the American Red Cross. As the two women swam and talked, Debra became more interested in working with an organization that helps … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Meet Debra Rohatsch
Become a Red Cross Volunteer This Summer Retired firefighter and Red Cross volunteer, John Martinez shows evacuated residents information about the Creek Fire We in Central California know all too well how devastating wildfires can be to our communities. Last year, wildfires burned 4.3 million acres across California and led to the largest disaster relief … Continue reading Help Turn Heartbreak into Hope
COVID-19 meant that Ashley Joos didn't meet most of her American Red Cross colleagues in person last year, but she didn't let that stop her from making a difference. She connected with hundreds through our Preparedness Programs through virtual efforts, and supported local and regional disaster responses, blood drives, and much more throughout the Pacific … Continue reading Why I Serve: AmeriCorps Team Member Ashley Joos
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 