They say, “practice makes perfect.” And dozens of American Red Cross volunteers had the opportunity to do just that as they perfected their skills during a disaster simulation exercise held in Contra Costa County in September. The scenario was centered around how to operate a shelter in the wake of a major earthquake should one hit the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read moreBy Jill Feldon and Martin Gagliano
A fire broke out in a multi-family, 38-unit apartment complex in Oakland, leaving the building uninhabitable and its residents displaced. Most didn’t speak English and desperately needed assistance. While a temporary shelter was available for a couple of nights, the fire caused such extensive damage that it would take months of repairs before the families could move back in.
Kane Wong and his American Red Cross team called many potential shelters and arranged for a church in the neighborhood to provide shelter for the affected individuals for an extended period of time. “We also arranged for a translator, feeding and other assistance from our partners,” he said. “It’s great to make things happen, lessening client anxiety and misery.” Kane also commented that the church thanked the Red Cross for allowing them to participate in the relief efforts. This collaboration furthers the church’s goals to support the community.
Read moreIn 2022, Jesse Kilgore was serving in the U.S. Army in Germany when he got an unexpected call. Thanks to the smart thinking of his sister – who is also a veteran – and the American Red Cross’ emergency communication service, Jesse learned that his father was dying. He needed to get to Los Angeles right away so he could say goodbye.
But Jesse didn’t have the money to fly halfway across the world. So once again the American Red Cross came through. Jesse was gifted with the cost to fly to LA just before his father passed away.
That experience inspired Jesse to pay back the Red Cross “not with money, but with my own labor,” Jesse said. He signed up to help the Red Cross with disaster services. Communities and families depend on the Red Cross and its volunteers to provide comfort and support following a disaster such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes by opening shelters, providing warm meals, offering critical financial help and supporting them through the recovery phase among other services.
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