Thank You for Saving My Life

Dear Blood Donor, There are no words to describe how grateful I am. Because of your decision to generously give blood, my life was saved. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Please let me share how your simple act of generosity changed a life. I was in the hospital fighting for my life as the result of … Continue reading Thank You for Saving My Life

Why I Volunteer: Meet Julie Creek

Julie Creek became an American Red Cross volunteer in June 2020. Since then, she has gone on to not only serve her neighbors of the Central Valley community, but hundreds across the West Coast as well. "I joined the Red Cross because I was looking for a way to serve the community and I loved … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Meet Julie Creek

Sound the Alarm Effort Empowers Thousands to Stay Safe From Home Fires

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

Safe Grilling Tips this Summer

Grilling food is so popular that more than three-quarters of U.S. adults have used a grill — yet, grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips: Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals … Continue reading Safe Grilling Tips this Summer

National Volunteer Week – Red Cross Offers Big Thank You to Our Volunteers

It’s the end of National Volunteer Week and the American Red Cross of Central California continues to honor our volunteers who bring to life our mission to help people in need. Red Cross volunteers give hope to families impacted by disasters, assist the military and their families, support blood drives, provide training and much more … Continue reading National Volunteer Week – Red Cross Offers Big Thank You to Our Volunteers

Celebrating More Red Cross Volunteers

by Dan Santos, Public Affairs Volunteer Grace Bunker - Rookie of the Year Grace Bunker was looking for a way to enhance her sociology studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. A college roommate, involved with the American Red Cross, recommended the organization and she is now nearing her first year of service.   “My roommate … Continue reading Celebrating More Red Cross Volunteers

Celebrating Red Cross Volunteers

by Dan Santos, Public Affairs Volunteer Please join us in recognizing our annual award recipients for their outstanding service to our communities and celebrating the dedication of all Red Cross volunteers across the country and around the world. Hannah Wirz - Unsung Hero Award When a disaster strikes, American Red Cross volunteers quickly deploy to … Continue reading Celebrating Red Cross Volunteers

7 Remarkable Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Clara Barton

compiled by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer Celebrate both Red Cross Month and Women’s History Month with these notable tales from the extraordinary life of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and one of the most honored women in American history. Clara Barton earned the moniker "Angel of the Battlefield" during the … Continue reading 7 Remarkable Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Clara Barton

Why I Serve – Ruth Townsend, Case Manager

as told to Gail Marshall, Public Affairs Volunteer It was during April of 2020, with the pandemic in its second month, when I began to grow impatient with my new normal. I’m an active sports lover and world traveler, but ski season was over and borders were closing worldwide. My gym was closed, my card … Continue reading Why I Serve – Ruth Townsend, Case Manager

Answering the Call: A Journey of Recovery After a Home Fire

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