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 Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer “The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 emergencies each year,” said the team leader standing at the front of the room. ‘Yeah,’ I thought, sitting in the classroom filled with new recruits, ‘I’ve responded to a few thousand emergencies myself.’ “The Disaster Action Team provides shelter for people … Continue reading Your Local Red Cross Needs You
The American Red Cross Central Valley & Kern County Executive Director Barry Falke has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the Pacific Division of the Red Cross. Falke will oversee the operations for Red Cross regions throughout the Pacific Coast of the United States, including California, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and … Continue reading Red Cross Executive Director Barry Falke Promoted to Division Leadership Team
By Diane Concannon The American Red Cross continues to provide relief to people affected by the Woolsey Fire in southern California with shelter, food and comfort. As evacuation orders are lifted and people are able to return to affected areas, the Red Cross is there with them. Drew and Amanda Haver are two of the … Continue reading Red Cross Volunteers Helping Their Neighbors Affected by California Wildfires
By Sharon J. Alfred, Red Cross Senior Journalist Volunteer There are many reasons people choose to become Red Cross volunteers. According to Gail Mcgaugh, a volunteer for the American Red Cross of Central California, participating in a Red Cross Home Fire Campaign was an ideal way to learn fire safety tips and to get to … Continue reading Red Cross Volunteer Gail Mcgaugh on “Why I Help”
Red Cross and CCADT shelter over 500 pets of wildfire evacuees [Photo Credit: American Red Cross] Fleeing from wildfires can be traumatic and having pets close has been proven to reduce stress and comfort owners driven from their homes by fire. This inspired Katrina Poitras, Central Valley Red Cross Disaster Program Manager, working with Naomi … Continue reading Keeping Pets and Owners Together in Wake of the Ferguson Fire
By Will Washburn & Jillian Robertson Firefighters come from far away to battle wildfires burning across the state. This means faster response to out of control blazes, but it also means long separations from friends and loved ones. The Red Cross Central Valley chapter is working to change that. Katrina Poitras, Red Cross Central Valley … Continue reading Red Cross Delivers Letters of Love to Firefighters Battling the Ferguson Blaze
This week, April 15 – 21, 2018 is National Volunteer Week, and we’re taking the time to celebrate and honor the incredible volunteers that make our Red Cross work possible. Last month we celebrated the occasion early, with Volunteer Appreciation dinners throughout the region. At each event, we invited volunteers to write down their favorite … Continue reading Honoring Our Volunteers
With an unprecedented amount of large-scale natural disasters over that last several months, many striking right here in California, we’re even more grateful for our volunteers, donors and partners. This incredible level of response demonstrates the need for preparedness and what it means to have a kit, make a plan and be informed. And, while … Continue reading Get Prepared California! Auction
On a bright and sunny Saturday, March 31st at Oak Canyon Community Park in Ventura County, CA, I had the honor of joining local Red Cross event-base volunteers Anurag Karra (North Hollywood Highly Gifted Magnet High School), Sriram Potluri (Oak Park High School), and Aneesh Ankareddy (Oak Park High School) for a 5K Walk-a-Thon. The youth-led … Continue reading Youth Volunteers Raise Money for Disaster Relief
A series of personal items are laid out on a bed. It looks like typical scene of someone packing for an overnight trip; there is a bag, a change of clothes, and a laptop. But this is not a typical suitcase. Look closer and you’ll realize that a pair of tan slip on shoes are … Continue reading Out of the Ashes Rises the Phoenix
Red Cross Central California Blog 