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.
California Couple Flees Another Wildfire By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer Debra Thomas' husband woke her from an afternoon nap to alert her about the imminent danger posed by the Borel Fire, prompting them to evacuate. This nightmarish scenario feels familiar to Debra, who has had to evacuate four times in the past … Continue reading Here We Go Again
Jim Steel is no stranger to the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains, having lived in the high-altitude pine forest for the last 20 years. In that time, he has also become familiar with the devastating wildfires that are an all-too-common occurrence. So it wasn't the first time he and his wife found their home in the … Continue reading Twice Burned But Never Shy
Grandmothers’ Wedding Ring Found following a Devastating Home Fire By Cindy Huge, Public Affairs Volunteer During the chaos of an early morning fire that engulfed their beloved home, a family of six found themselves homeless and distraught. Thanks to the persistent barking of their dog, they were alerted to the danger and managed to escape … Continue reading Finding Joy Amongst the Ashes
By Taylor Poisall, Red Cross Public Affairs After a lifetime of living through multiple wildfires in the foothills of Fresno County, Joyce Horne knows when it’s time for her to evacuate. A late June thunderstorm sent more than 1,000 lightning strikes across the Central Valley, causing multiple vegetation fires across Fresno County. The Flash and … Continue reading Sew Much to Be Grateful For
It was a warm, sunny April afternoon in Ojai, California when a group of Red Crossers were finally able to meet face-to-face with Ignacio. Everyone was all smiles as he wheeled himself onto the front porch to meet the people that had spent countless hours in the previous months helping him to regain his mobility, … Continue reading Together We Can Do So Much
By Anna Kumor, Red Cross Volunteer Jo Barsenas makes a life of serving the armed forces alongside her enlisted family members. “My dad was a veteran. He was a three-time purple heart award. My son is an army veteran. My husband's a Navy veteran. And I have 9 nieces and nephews currently serving. I've come from a military home! My … Continue reading The SAF Lifestyle of Jo Barsenas
By Alison Votaw, Red Cross Communications Volunteer The first thing you may notice about George Manolakas is his infectious laugh and positive attitude. George joined the American Red Cross in 2022, after retiring at the age of 70 from being an attorney. George said he had sat on several non-profit boards and he knew he … Continue reading George Manolakas Proves Time and Compassion Make an Impact
Women have played an important role in fulfilling the lifesaving American Red Cross mission since Clara Barton founded the organization more than 140 years ago. Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” Clara had cared for wounded soldiers during the Civil War before establishing the Red Cross in the U.S., where she was a visionary leader in … Continue reading Meet Some of the Women Who Lead Like Clara Barton
Written by 有天若 Tianruo You, Red Cross Volunteer Women have played an important role in fulfilling the lifesaving American Red Cross mission since Clara Barton founded the organization more than 140 years ago. This March — which is recognized as both Red Cross Month and Women’s History Month — we take a look at some of the … Continue reading Reyna Pearce: Inspiring Lives and Building a Culture of Volunteerism
By Andrew De La Rosa, Communications Volunteer In the heart of Central California, Dana Sakoda, a retired elementary school teacher with a 22-year-long career behind her, has emerged as a source of comfort for those affected by disasters. American Red Cross volunteers like Dana are on the frontlines of disaster response, supporting families across the … Continue reading A Lifetime of Service
Red Cross Central California Blog 