Co-authored by Channa Sweet and Jill Feldon LaNouette
October 20, 1957 newspaper clippings of the 4-alarm fire that took place on Fell St. Credit: The San Francisco Examiner // Archives
Carol awoke at 2 a.m. to an unimaginable scene unfolding in front of her. She was trapped in a room with smoke burning her nose and flames licking at the door. Unable to leave through her bedroom door, she climbed out her window and escaped from the third floor down an already burning fire escape. With singed hair and bare feet firmly planted on the cold ground, she stood across the street feeling like she was “watching her whole life burn away.”
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 homes in the area and displacing over 100,000 people. Starting on Oct. 8, the wildfire burned for 23 days until it was finally put out on Oct. 31. The Tubbs Fire became known as the most destructive fire in California at the time it happened, which left many fire victims with the burden of rebuilding their lives.
Selma Vandermade was unfortunately one of the many affected by the fires in Santa Rosa, which bore the brunt of the Tubbs Fire’s destruction. Having been supported by the American Red Cross herself during this tragic situation, Selma has been returning the favor as a prominent Red Cross donor and Tiffany Circle member.
Selma recalled the night of the fire itself, describing the moment when she had to leave her beloved home.
“After being sick I wanted to get out of the house and look normal,” Jenielle says
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 waves, sudden and consuming. “A lot of times I felt like a burden to them,” she says about getting sick so often.
“It’s like you’re being stabbed multiple times, over and over, an internal throbbing pain like a heartbeat,” she says. These crises would send her to hospital. As a child she thought: “You aren’t going to make it past 30, you aren’t going to have kids.”
Fortunately, she did make it past the age of 30 and had two children of her own. As an adult she began to educate herself about sickle cell disease. And eventually she even came to appreciate how the experience shaped her.
Maria Stevens believes that through adversity, we build strength. Her journey began long before she joined the American Red Cross as a Community Disaster Program Manager (CDPM) in 2023.
At just 8 years old, Maria and her family moved from their comfortable home in Mexico to Downey, Calif., as political refugees. They had to start anew with little support, and Maria witnessed her parents work tirelessly to provide for their family. Determined to succeed, she focused on her education, conquering the challenges that immigrant families often face.
“It was humbling to come from Mexico to the US, where we had nothing.”
At 14, inspired by her parents’ relentless work ethic, Maria took her first job as a lifeguard. This decision marked her introduction to the American Red Cross, where she earned her swim instructor certification—a connection that would later return when her own children grew older.
“The hardships taught me resiliency.”
With her understanding of resiliency, Maria dedicated herself to helping others at a mental health organization before she found her way to the Red Cross.
“I learned to see people for who they are, and not for the mistakes they made.”
After 11 years working in mental health, her daughter approached her with an interest in being a lifeguard. Maria knew the perfect place to start.
Soon after, Maria applied for the CDPM position, and within 7 months, she was promoted to her current position as Community Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator serving Tulare County.
Maria is deeply committed to supporting and equipping Tulare County through the Community Adaptation Program (CAP). This initiative connects with local non-profits, focusing on preparing smaller or rural communities for potential challenges, ensuring they are ready for any disaster.
Soon after her hiring, Maria faced her first disaster during the devastating flooding in Tulare County. Her dedication shone as she worked tirelessly. This experience sparked her passion for disaster work, resulting in two additional deployments.
Maria knows this job was meant for her. Many communities have a difficult time trusting outsiders, but Maria is proud that she has been able to break down barriers between herself and those in rural communities. As a bilingual individual, she can easily communicate with Spanish speakers, and through her childhood experience, she understands their initial hesitation. Maria’s also been working on breaking down the language barrier for languages she does not speak by purchasing a translation device.
“Disasters do not discriminate on race, gender, or social status; anybody can be affected by something.”
During Maria’s deployment to Hurricane Milton, she took on the role of disaster assessment. What she witnessed stuck with her. In one neighborhood on the side of a white house, was written out in red paint, ‘Surrender Dorothy.’ Maria witnessed how the neighborhood continued to persevere even through the devastating effects of Milton.
“Even when there are challenges, get up and shake it off.”
Maria has faced each of life’s challenges with the same resiliency she learned from her parents all those years ago. Maria is an excellent example of the unwavering dedication Red Cross staff and volunteers have in keeping our communities safe and prepared.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s celebrate Maria’s story and the legacy she continues to build, a legacy rooted in compassion, connection and service.
On September 27, 2024, Richard Castellon, then an off-duty police officer with the Monterey Police Department, was walking through the hallway of his Virginia apartment complex when he noticed an unconscious man lying in the gym. Without hesitation, Richard rushed to help. He quickly checked on the man, found him unresponsive and immediately called 911. While requesting an AED from the apartment staff, he began performing CPR.
For Mari Montelongo, joining the American Red Cross wasn’t just a career move, it was a calling.
Since stepping into her first role as a Disaster Program Specialist in 2023, Mari has quickly become a vital part of the Central California Region’s disaster response efforts. Now serving as the Regional Disaster Action Team (DAT) Manager, she leads with heart, purpose and a deep commitment to helping others.
“I was drawn to the humanitarian aspect of the Red Cross,” Mari shared. “We go out to assist anyone in need — being the shoulder they can cry on or lean on in a devastating circumstance.”
In her current role, Mari ensures that volunteers are trained and supported, facilitates virtual courses for new and aspiring volunteer leaders and compiles weekly reports that summarize the region’s disaster response activities to inform her peers about the daily impact of the DAT’s work. She also supports national-level calls, stepping in when an urgent resolution is needed. Her work is both strategic and deeply personal.
One of her most cherished memories is attending the annual Central Valley Heroes Awards, where community members are honored for lifechanging acts of service. “Being able to recognize those who have saved lives or made a difference in their community is so humbling and rewarding to see,” she said.
Mari’s impact is felt not just in the logistics of disaster response, but in the quiet, powerful moments of human connection. “I’ve spoken directly with home fire survivors who’ve lost their homes, their belongings and sometimes even loved ones,” she reflected. “Witnessing their shock and being able to transform that into a sense of relief when they see the Red Cross, it’s a humbling and powerful experience.”
Her dedication is deeply rooted in her upbringing and heritage. As the youngest of three sisters in a close-knit family of five, Mari was raised with strong values and a deep appreciation for education and culture. “My parents were incredibly supportive of what we were passionate about,” she described. “They made sure we had access to higher education, an opportunity they never had themselves.”
Her Hispanic heritage continues to shape her approach to service. “Going to Mexico and seeing strangers treat you like family falls hand in hand with how we treat our volunteers, staff and those in need,” she explained. “We treat everyone with respect and open arms.”
Her parents instilled in Mari and her sisters the importance of learning the Spanish language properly for better opportunities, but also to remember their roots and the generations before them, ensuring they would carry them for their lifetime and pass them on to their future generations.
Mari believes that kindness is the most valuable legacy one can leave behind. “Wealth isn’t measured through financial streams. It’s created with the people you surround yourself with. Stay curious when meeting new people, you never truly know the story they carry.”
She’s especially passionate about encouraging Hispanic and Latino communities to prepare for disasters like home fires. “Language barriers can make people hesitant,” she noted. “But simply reassuring them that someone is always there to help can make a huge difference. Taking the time to build a plan and walk through real-life scenarios can boost confidence and save lives.”
Mari’s story is a testament to the power of compassion, culture and community. Through her work with the Red Cross, she continues to uplift others by one training, one conversation and one act of kindness at a time.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the generations of Latino Red Crossers who have turned compassion into action and service into tradition. Their stories remind us that when we give back, we build stronger communities and inspire the next generation to do the same.
Join the American Red Cross and help us create a more inclusive, compassionate and empowered future ─ one where every voice matters and every story is celebrated.
Get involved today at redcross.org and make a lasting impact in your community.
