By: Aarushi Saha, Red Cross Communications Volunteer
Micah and other volunteers responding to a house and duplex fire in San Jose. The team provided immediate support, including comfort kits and teddy bears for the children, to help the family through this difficult time.
“The fire was large enough that you could smell it a mile out. Like driving into it, you could smell it come into the vent of your car. By the time we got there, the house was fully engulfed, and in fact the second story had collapsed onto the first story. It was just chaotic,” recalls Micah Stroud of a house fire he responded to in Cupertino, Calif. a few months ago.
Micah, an American Red Cross volunteer, responds to many house fires in his role but this experience stayed with him the most.
The first resident he met on the scene had previously volunteered with the Red Cross, so she understood that Micah’s team was there to organize emergency housing and financial aid for people displaced by the fire. Her husband had been burned by the fire, and there was more bad news to come.
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.”
Vicki pictured with fellow disaster services volunteers — many who volunteer after a career of public service
“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.
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.
“The satisfaction of knowing you helped someone through their toughest time is worth it.”
Conner Hunter
By Sarah Borcena, Red Cross Volunteer
Conner Hunter began volunteering with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team in November 2025, joining a growing wave of Gen Z volunteers stepping up to help people in crisis. Across the country, Gen Z now represents the largest and fastest‑growing segment of the Red Cross volunteer workforce, bringing empathy, flexibility and a strong sense of purpose to communities when help is needed most.
For Conner, volunteering had always been important, but joining the Disaster Action Team offered a meaningful way to put service into action. He was motivated by a desire to support people during some of their most difficult moments and to make a tangible difference when emergencies disrupt everyday life.
Stock photo illustrating Disaster Action Team response
Within his first few months, Conner responded to several local emergencies, including his very first call in Tulare, California. A broken waterline at an apartment complex had forced a family from their home, leaving them suddenly displaced and uncertain about what would come next.
As a new volunteer, Conner initially observed the disaster response process, learning how Red Cross volunteers assess urgent needs and offer immediate support following an emergency. He helped gather the family’s information so the team could provide financial assistance and arrange safe accommodations. This moment became his first glimpse into the impact the Red Cross makes in times of crisis. Watching the family regain a sense of stability helped Conner see firsthand how timely support can ease overwhelming situations.
Another experience soon reinforced Conner’s commitment to service. During Christmas, he put his own holiday plans on hold to respond to a fire in Plainview, California. While the call required personal sacrifice, the experience left a lasting impression.
“The satisfaction of knowing you helped someone through their toughest time is worth it,” Conner shared. The moment deepened his understanding of what service can look like, especially during times when families are already facing loss and uncertainty.
For many Gen Z volunteers like Conner, flexibility and willingness to step in when needed are part of what makes their contributions so impactful. Whether responding to local disasters, supporting events or assisting families after emergencies, young volunteers are helping ensure communities don’t face crises alone.
Conner’s journey reflects a broader movement of young people choosing purpose‑driven service. When asked what he would say to someone thinking about joining the Disaster Action Team or another Red Cross role, his advice is simple:
“Make sure your heart is in the right place. If it is, the experience will be incredibly rewarding. It’s not about getting recognition. It’s about being there when people need you the most.”
As Gen Z volunteers continue to answer the call, stories like Conner’s show how compassion, commitment and a willingness to serve can make a real difference — one response at a time.
JOIN US Are you passionate about helping others and leaving things better than you find them? Join our team of changemakers who are working together to make a real impact. With a wide range of volunteer opportunities available, there’s a role for everyone. Get involved today and be part of the solution. Visit here for more information.
From disaster responses to community events, Jeff’s dedication shows how one volunteer can make a profound difference in a short amount of time.
By Cindy Huge, American Red Cross Volunteer
After retiring, Jeff Martin knew he wasn’t ready to slow down. He wanted to do something meaningful — something that would let him give back to his community. After talking with his neighbors, longtime Red Cross volunteers Russ and Cindy Huge, Jeff realized the American Red Cross offered exactly what he’d been looking for: a way to help people on their hardest days.
Jeff jumped in with enthusiasm. Within a short time, he completed training in Feeding, Sheltering and the Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Kern County. Since then, he has responded to more than a dozen DAT calls, including several in rural communities such as Maricopa and Taft.
One call stayed with him. A family had lost everything in a fire and was standing outside in 42‑degree weather with a young child. Jeff remembers how grateful they were when he offered warm blankets.
Jeff pictured with his neighbors at a Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation event
“I had never seen anyone so appreciative of something so simple,” he said. “It reminded me why this work matters.”
Fellow DAT responder Jim Hankinson shared, “Jeff is a joy to work with. He’s quick to offer water, blankets, whatever clients need. He’s a caring responder.”
Jeff’s willingness to step up extends beyond disaster calls. He joined a Sound the Alarm installation event in Taft, grateful for the chance to make homes safer and meet residents where they live. He also proudly carried the Red Cross banner in the Veterans Day Parade.
“It was a great honor to lead our volunteers,” Jeff said. “Representing the Red Cross that day meant a lot to me.”
His commitment shows up in quiet moments, too. When his chapter held its holiday party in the clubhouse near his home, Jeff arrived three hours early. He cleaned the room, set up tables and even took home the linens to wash afterward — a small gesture that spoke volumes about his character.
Through every response and every act of service, Jeff embodies the compassion and dedication that define the Red Cross mission. His journey is a reminder that one person’s willingness to help can make a profound difference in the lives of others.
For more than half of America’s history, people have cared for one another through the American Red Cross. As the U.S. marks 250 years, we’re honoring those who provide help and hope every day. This National Volunteer Month, we celebrate the volunteers like Jeff who make our mission possible. Learn how to get started as a volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer.
“For me, responding to home fires alongside fellow volunteers is not just a responsibility. It’s an honor.”
Javier Gonzalez
By Javier Gonzalez, American Red Cross Volunteerand Board Member
As a board member of the American Red Cross Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter, I have the privilege of seeing our mission from a strategic vantage point — strengthening programs, supporting volunteers and helping guide the direction of an organization that serves nearly a million people across Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties.
But being part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) brings that mission into sharp, human focus. It’s where strategy meets reality, where compassion becomes action and where the Red Cross promise is delivered to one family at a time.
For me, responding to home fires alongside fellow volunteers is not just a responsibility. It’s an honor.
