In the early hours of September 9, Phillip Vasquez was getting ready for work at 4:30 a.m. when his routine suddenly shifted. Without warning, he
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You Don’t Have to Be a Nurse to Help: Volunteer’s Story Shows There’s a Role for Everyone at the Red Cross
Tammy Salwasser from Alameda County thought she had to be a nurse to volunteer with the American Red Cross. “I first heard about it from
Red Cross Volunteer Brought Hope and Housing Help to LA Fire Survivors and Others
What happens when you have nowhere to go after a disaster? What if your neighborhood is destroyed, or your home is no longer safe? For those affected by the January 2025 fires
“A Very Different Beast”: Red Cross Volunteer Recalls the Devastation of Los Angeles Wildfires
It had been a children’s playground in Altadena, Calif. Now, a melted toy sat upon a melted jungle gym. Scraps of canopy were whipping in the
Investing in Preparedness: Inside the CAP Bus Tour
When torrential rain opened over California in the winter of 2023, few could have imagined the devastation that would follow. Fueled by rare atmospheric rivers, communities were flooded with destruction
Lyra Kelly: Just Trying to be Helpful through the American Red Cross
I first met Lyra Kelly when we were both deployed (aka sent out to a disaster response operation) to help people severely affected by the Spring 2025 tornadoes in St. Louis. Well-organized and
Hero Among Us: Vacaville Volunteer Firefighter Receives Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action
20-year-old Vincent Hayes, a Vacaville volunteer firefighter, was presented with the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action (CEPA) by the American Red Cross on November 18 for his heroic actions of saving a man’s life while at “The Happiest Place
Training the Next Generation of Babysitters
On a recent rainy day, a dozen young students aged 10 to 13 gathered at the Marinwood Community Center in San Rafael. The three boys
Creative Collaboration Between Red Cross and Community Partners Solves Problems in a Disaster Zone
After a severe typhoon in Guam, Red Cross volunteers partnered with local school bus drivers to deliver food to the community. Their efforts highlighted the importance of community engagement, addressing needs, and ensuring support reaches vulnerable populations during disasters.
From PSYOP to Public Affairs: Honoring a Veteran and Volunteer Leader
When Larry Dietz first walked into an American Red Cross meeting 25 years ago, he brought with him a lifetime of service, first to his
Valley Onward and the Red Cross: Building a Culture of Preparedness in Merced County
As floods ravaged Planada, a small community in central California’s Merced County in 2023, Valley Onward, a local community non-profit organization, deployed its resources to
40 Pints: A Life, a Loss, and a Lifesaving Mission
One day in April 2021, George Delaney lay in a Boston, Massachusetts hospital. He was exhausted. It had been a long four months. In January
Red Cross Supports Alliance on Aging with EV Donation
By Mark Phillips, board member of the Central Coast Chapter The United States is facing a “silver tsunami” as the Baby Boom generation leaves the
Red Cross Volunteers Mobilize Rapid Shelter Response After San José Blaze
By Diane St. Denis, Disaster Response Operation director On September 25, 2025, the Silicon Valley Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to a 22-unit apartment
How Blood Donations and Advocacy Helped a Dancer Reclaim His Life from Sickle Cell Disease
Modern, jazz, and contemporary dance — he loved doing them all on stage. He was a professional dancer who had performed in shows in Chicago,
From Engineer to Emergency Responder: Neil Katin’s Volunteer Journey
A Staff Planning and Support Service Associate Feature You may have seen American Red Crossers on the news handing out food or welcoming people into
Brought Back to Life by Blood Donations
When Latrese Fowler found out her newborn son didn’t inherit sickle cell disease, she was so overjoyed that she had a celebration. “We had a
Get to Know our Regional CEO
We’re thrilled to announce Justin Mueller as our new Regional CEO! We look forward to the journey ahead under his leadership. In the meantime, get
Seven Decades of Gratitude: An Unforgettable Volunteer Helps After a Fire
Co-authored by Channa Sweet and Jill Feldon LaNouette Carol awoke at 2 a.m. to an unimaginable scene unfolding in front of her. She was trapped
From wildfire survivor to Red Cross donor, Selma continues to pay it forward
In 2017, the infamous Tubbs Fire wrecked numerous counties in Northern California, notably the Napa, Sonoma, and Lake Counties, destroying more than half of the
Why Blood Donors Who are Black Matter: One Woman’s Lifesaving Connection to Donors
Growing up, Jenielle Tulloch didn’t understand why illness followed her when no one else around her seemed to suffer the same way. Pain came in
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