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.
On Saturday, March 11, 2017 AmeriCorps Disaster Team member Bushra Zamzami met with 12 volunteers in Cold Springs Rancheria for a Red Cross Month Home Fire Campaign. Bushra set out Saturday morning from our Fresno location to not only install smoke alarms, but to help spread awareness to the Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians … Continue reading Cold Springs Rancheria HFC
"Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program" with the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing
When it rains it pours, and it has certainly been pouring in California this winter. Massive amounts of rainfall in the Golden State has caused flooding, landslides, sink holes, road closures, power outages, and mass evacuations. All of this has led to a major Red Cross response effort, with volunteers from around the nation pouring into … Continue reading When It Rains It Pours
“I’ve been told I’m a “Preparedness Fanatic,” laughs Holly Green a Red Cross Volunteer in Bakersfield, California. “And, that’s okay, because at the Red Cross, I get to be myself!” Holly volunteers for the Red Cross Central California Region and has been a Red Cross Volunteer since Hurricane Katrina. But she’s not the first in … Continue reading The Red Cross is the Place I Get to be Myself
This month is the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and I would like to share a World War II Red Cross Story that involves my Mom. It includes cities that are now in the Central California Region, and also highlights AAA partnership with Red Cross. My Mom passed away in 2004 and … Continue reading A Family Tradition: Two Generations of Red Cross Service
It was Christmas Eve at my Grandmother’s house. Tummies were full of holiday treats, stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and the family was gathered at the kitchen table playing cards. That’s when my Dad smelled the smoke. “Is something burning?” he asked. Everyone looked up from their cards with concern and started … Continue reading Four Ways to Holiday Safety
Local volunteer Michele Maki is currently on deployment in Gatlinburg, Tennessee as part of the Red Cross response to the deadly wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands. Here is one of many heartbreaking stories Michele has experienced on her journey so far. “We bought this home……one year ago-yesterday….. just one year….”, his … Continue reading A One Year Anniversary, A Devastating Loss, A Treasure Found, And Gratitude
To any outsider, the beige hotel ballroom full of people and round banquet tables probably looked like any other conference. But what was happening inside was remarkable. On this particular day, dozens of local military families were receiving life changing resources to help them cope with deployment. It was all part of a Yellow Ribbon … Continue reading Red Cross Workshops Support Local Military Families
Central California Regional Communications Director Jessica Piffero is one of thousands of Red Crossers from around the nation that has deployed to the east coast as part of the Hurricane Matthew disaster relief operation. As a Public Affairs supervisor, she is based in South Carolina and leading team of Public Information Officers and storytellers. … Continue reading Deployment Diaries from Hurricane Matthew
The smoke grew thick and dark as flames of the Cedar Fire began coming down the side of black mountain towards Marcela Freerks’ home early Saturday morning. Freerks, 68, was having trouble breathing from the smoke when her son encouraged them to leave their home and seek housing at a Red Cross shelter. In the … Continue reading Community Spirit Shines Through Wildfire Relief Efforts
Red Cross Central California Blog 