By: AnnMarie Kornele, American Red Cross Volunteer
His father is a firefighter, his mother is a nurse, and his brother worked both as a firefighter and a nurse. You could say that saving lives runs in Steven Bradley’s family. So it’s no surprise that Steven himself has had a long career as a life saver.
Steven is a second-generation firefighter from Fresno, Calif. Growing up in a family with a strong background in public service inspired him to pursue a career in firefighting. After graduating high school, Steven attended the Fresno Fire Academy and worked as an EMT before becoming a firefighter. He got his first job at the Madera County Fire Department working several years before relocating to San Diego with his wife, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer, after she received her first duty station there. While she worked as a CHP officer, Steven worked for the San Diego Rural Fire Department.
Whether as a firefighter, EMT or Red Cross instructor, Steven is always helping people in their time of need.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck when Steven’s wife was injured from being hit by a drunk driver while on duty, forcing her to end her career with the CHP early.
Diane St. Denis has deployed more than 30 times over 31 years with the American Red Cross, helping people in the aftermath of terrible floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires across the country. But nothing affected her more than her volunteer experience at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
“It was really the first time I truly understood that what we do makes a difference in people’s lives,” said Diane.
Diane St. Denis has worked as a nurse and volunteered with the American Red Cross for more than 30 years, helping people following disasters of all kinds. But she said she never understood the difference she makes until her Red Cross experience after 9/11.
Twenty-five years ago today, the American Red Cross responded to the tragedy by helping people around the country and the world. More than $1.1 billion in generous donations were used to fund massive relief and recovery efforts and help more than 59,000 families affected by the terrorist attacks. The Red Cross held blood donation drives, served millions of meals and snacks, opened dozens of shelters for people who were left stranded and connected countless people to emotional support and health services. It was one of the largest disaster responses in history – made possible thanks to volunteers like Diane.
Polina Ken searches through the ashes on her property. She saved almost nothing from the flames because she was outside watering down her home when she was told to evacuate, jumping in her car with only her phone and the clothes she was wearing after trying unsuccessfully to find her dog, Waldo.
What happened to Polina Ken one year ago on September 2, 2025, when a lightning-sparked fire turned her Chinese Camp home and almost everything she owned to ash and mangled metal, might lead some to self-pity.
Not Polina, who as a Cambodian refugee has had to rebuild her life from scratch more than once.
“I’m tough. I do anything to survive. I don’t give up,” Polina said after the fire.
“A little bit of physical work and a lot of satisfaction,” is how one American Red Cross volunteer describes his experience distributing emergency supplies after a disaster. It’s a simple description from Marcel Pajuelo-Schwartz, but it captures the heart of the distribution of emergency supplies volunteer role perfectly. The physical work comes from lifting and carrying buckets of essential items, while the satisfaction comes from knowing you have helped people in a real, hands-on way when they need it most.
Marcel, who lives in Daly City, Calif., has been a Red Cross volunteer since 1967. He has tried many volunteer roles over the years but he especially enjoys this one. His efforts to distribute emergency supplies play a critical role in helping individuals and families recover in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. His role is to provide items essential to basic survival, health and sanitation as quickly and equitably as possible to people whose homes and neighborhoods have been affected. These essential supplies may include flashlights, food coolers, buckets, shovels, masks, gloves, cleaning products and garbage bags — everything people need to begin cleaning up their yards and their homes after a disaster turns life upside down.
By Executive Director of Central Valley Chapter Lori Wilson
Lori Wilson (L) with Mayor Camacho (R).
CORRECTION (July 31, 2026): An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Mayor Camacho of Saipan as former Mayor Carlos Camacho from Guam. The error has been corrected.
In July, I had the privilege of touring the island of Saipan with Mayor Camacho as an Elected Official Liaison (EOL), visiting families whose lives have been deeply affected by Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi alongside him. As we went from home to home, we listened to their stories, learned about their most pressing needs and witnessed firsthand the remarkable resilience that continues to shine through despite so much loss and uncertainty.
By Alison Votaw, American Red Cross Communications Volunteer
For 35 years, Vicki Dellone wore a badge with the Fresno Police Department, dedicating her career to protecting and serving her community. Retirement could have marked the end of that chapter. Instead, it opened the door to a new one.
Today, Vicki serves as a Disaster Action Team Supervisor for the American Red Cross, continuing a lifetime of service — this time in red instead of blue.
“We help your neighbors, your friends, and maybe you.”
Growing up, Vicki remembers seeing the Red Cross responding to national disasters. Now, as she witnesses the organization’s local impact firsthand, she’s made it her mission to educate others about the Red Cross. She joined the Disaster Action Team (DAT), and her passion for helping people recover from home fires has only grown stronger with each response.
In Fresno, Vicki responds to home fires alongside the Disaster Action Team (DAT), helping families navigate some of the hardest moments of their lives. With each call, her commitment to serving others has only deepened.
“We’re a team, and I’m never alone.”
The Fresno DAT team may be small, but their impact reaches across the community day and night. When families face the devastation of losing their home to a fire, volunteers arrive ready to offer comfort, practical support and compassion.
Vicki and fellow supervisor Vickie Mora help welcome and mentor new Disaster Action Team members, encouraging them as they begin their own Red Cross journeys. Together, the team provides wraparound support that can include financial assistance, spiritual care and temporary housing to help families find their footing after tragedy.
For Vicki, the work is deeply personal because every response is about people first.
“Sometimes all they need is a hug.”
Over the years, Vicki has witnessed the relief families feel when Red Cross volunteers arrive. In moments filled with uncertainty, fear and loss, that simple presence can remind someone they are not alone. Some of the most meaningful gestures are also the simplest.
“It’s the little everyday moments.”
Local quilters throughout the community create handmade blankets for families affected by home fires. Vicki says some of the most powerful moments happen when a volunteer wraps someone in one of those quilts — offering not just warmth, but comfort and hope.
She recalls meeting someone who had received a Red Cross blanket as a teenager after experiencing a fire. Years later, they still remembered the feeling of being cared for during one of the most difficult moments of their life.
For Vicki, those moments are reminders that even small acts of kindness can leave lasting impressions.
Vicki now works alongside two other former first responders, John and Jose Martinez, who also found a second chapter of service with the Red Cross. Together, they continue supporting their community through disaster response, local events and preparedness efforts.
She hopes other retired first responders recognize that their experience, compassion and leadership are still needed.
“You still have more to give.”
“There’s always a place for first responders here,” Vicki said. “A place where they can continue to serve and make a difference.”
“You never know how long your impact will be.”
Every day, volunteers like Vicki stand ready to respond to home fires 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When the call comes, they go — bringing support, compassion and hope to neighbors facing unimaginable loss.
For Vicki, serving others has never just been a job title. It’s part of who she is.
And for anyone wondering whether they still have something to give to their community, her story offers a powerful reminder: your next chapter of service could be just beginning.
If you’re looking for your own way to make a difference, volunteer with the American Red Cross and join a team where every action — big or small — can change a life.
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