When disaster strikes, Jesús Sotelo doesn’t hesitate — he acts.
Born in Acapulco, Guerrero, México, Jesús grew up in a community where music, faith and service were deeply woven into everyday life. In the 1980s, he and a group of friends formed “Lobos,” an informal volunteer team that assisted people in crisis. Their efforts led them to collaborate with Protección Civil and receive training from the Cruz Roja Mexicana, where Jesús learned paramedic-style skills and embraced a guiding principle: “If there is an accident, you must help.”
Though he didn’t pursue a formal paramedic career, Jesús’ dedication to helping others never wavered. That same spirit followed him when he moved to the United States. What began as a temporary stay became permanent—and so did his desire to serve. Despite language barriers and unfamiliar systems, Jesús found his way to the American Red Cross, applying online and quickly becoming a trusted volunteer at shelters, community events and training sessions.
“You don’t need permission,” he said. “Just ask, ‘What’s next?’ and get involved.”
Jesús’ journey took a challenging turn when he became seriously ill. Hospitalized for two weeks, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The treatments were grueling, but his resolve remained strong.
“You have two paths,” he explained. “Surrender or fight. I choose to fight.”
Faith and family became his anchors. His wife and fellow Red Cross volunteer became a pillar of support, and his pastoral studies gave him strength. Even during treatment, Jesús continued volunteering. His service became a source of healing and purpose.
“What you do matters. Even when it’s hard. Even when you’re scared.”
Jesús’ story is a powerful reflection of Hispanic heritage — not just through tradition, but through action. His presence at the Red Cross helps bridge cultural and language gaps, offering comfort and connection to Spanish-speaking communities. He hopes to see more Latinos step into service, not only as volunteers, but as leaders too.
He’s received medals and local honors, but for Jesús, the true reward is knowing he made a difference. He dreams of one day becoming a Red Cross employee and writing a book that shares his journey and inspires others.
“Live in the present,” he said. “This moment is the only life we have. Serving with humility is a powerful legacy. Faith without action is not enough. If you believe, act.”
Jesús didn’t wait for perfect conditions, and you don’t have to either. Whether you speak Spanish or English, whether you’re new to volunteering or have years of experience, your help is greatly needed.
Join Jesús and thousands of others making a difference. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up today.
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.”
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.
The woman, and many of her neighbors, had been eating only canned food and storing very limited perishables in coolers since a hurricane had hit their homes weeks before, American Red Cross volunteer Melody Heilmann says. She chokes up as she recalls the woman screaming at the top of her lungs with joy when she was told she qualified for financial assistance from the Red Cross, “Oh my god, I can get a refrigerator now!” The woman was one of many people that Melody helped while volunteering for the Red Cross three years ago during Hurricane Ian.
This assignment was one of eight times Melody has responded to a disaster with the Red Cross, including after the wildfires in Chico, Calif. and Lahaina, Hawaii. Arriving just two days after the catastrophic fires in Hawaii, Melody vividly recalls people who arrived at the shelter still covered in soot and missing their shoes because they lost them when they fled from the deadly blaze. Although it can be very sad to meet people at what might be the worst time of their lives, seeing how the Red Cross helps them is very rewarding.
By Kaytlin Crough, American Red Cross Disaster Leader
My name is Kaytlin Crough, and I currently serve as the Senior Community Disaster Program Manager (CDPM) for the Central California Region of the American Red Cross. It’s an honor to reflect on a moment in our shared history that changed the way many of us view disaster response and community resilience.
Today, I want to take you back to September 2020, when I was just six weeks into my role as a CDPM. I was still learning the ropes, still figuring out how to navigate the systems and relationships that make this work possible. And then, the Creek Fire happened.
“People came together. Neighbors helped neighbors. Volunteers stepped up. And in the midst of chaos, there was compassion.” – Kaytlin Crough
It’s hard to believe the five-year anniversary of that fire is here. At the time, Fresno County wasn’t widely recognized as a hotspot for wildfires, certainly not the kind that would become the largest wildfire in California’s history up to that point. The scale of the disaster was staggering. But what stood out most wasn’t the fire itself; it was the incredible readiness and resilience of our community.
And at the heart of that response were our first responders. Firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical teams and the National Guard put themselves in harm’s way to protect lives and property. Their courage and tireless efforts were nothing short of heroic. They battled flames that moved faster than anyone anticipated, coordinated evacuations under extreme pressure and worked around the clock to keep our communities safe. We owe them our deepest gratitude.
People came together. Neighbors helped neighbors. Volunteers stepped up. And in the midst of chaos, there was compassion.
The Creek Fire shaped my understanding of disaster response and deepened my commitment to this work. It reminded me that even in the most unexpected circumstances, community strength and solidarity — led by those who run toward danger — can make all the difference.
There are moments in this work that stay with you — moments that shift your understanding of what it means to serve, to respond and to be present in the face of disaster.
For me, one of those moments began at the National Guard base in Fresno. I remember driving up to the front of the base, unsure of what exactly I was walking into, calling my boss and telling her I didn’t see any people, where was I supposed to go. My boss simply said, “Go around to the back.” And when I did, I saw them. Massive helicopters, engines humming, crews moving with purpose. Fluorescent SOS tape on the side of the helicopters. That’s when it hit me: everything I had been training for, everything I had studied and prepared for… it was happening. Right in front of my eyes.
That day, we were responding to the Mammoth Pools evacuation. The next morning, I found myself at the shelter at 6:00 a.m., greeting the evacuees as they woke up or returned from the hospital with bandages covering their burns. Most of the individuals rescued were from outside of Fresno County and were able to return home that same day. But there was one woman, just one, who couldn’t.
I walked with her through the quiet streets of downtown Fresno, remember we were in a pandemic, helping her check into the Radisson Inn. She became the first overnight stay in what would become a disaster response that saw over 34,000 overnight stays in the weeks that followed.
That walk, that moment, reminded me that behind every number, every stat, every headline — there’s a person. A story. A life interrupted, and a chance for us to show up with compassion, dignity and care.
Five years later, Kaytlin stood with the same Chinook helicopter that was used to save hundreds of trapped people from Mammoth Pools at the Creek Fire five-year commemorative event to honor first responders.
Now, I want to take a moment to reflect on the adaptability and dedication during the Creek Fire Response.
As I mentioned, Fresno isn’t typically a hotspot for wildfires, so when the initial reports came in, we were anticipating a relatively small-scale operation, maybe 15 to 20 clients needing evacuation support. We prepared accordingly, bringing in coordination and feeding support for what we thought would be a short-term, limited response.
But the fire grew large, hot and fast.
By September 17th, the Red Cross was supporting nearly 1,800 evacuees. These individuals were spread across 49 hotels in five different counties. The scale of the operation changed dramatically, and with it came a host of logistical and operational challenges, especially through what we call, ‘a disaster within a disaster.’ We were managing the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, amidst the largest wildfire we’d ever seen in the Central Valley.
What stood out most was how our team rose to meet those challenges. I watched firsthand as coordination efforts scaled seamlessly, adapting to the needs of nearly 2,000 people without missing a beat. Every obstacle was met with determination, flexibility and a deep commitment to serving our clients.
And again, we were not alone. Firefighters and emergency personnel were out in the field, battling the blaze, saving lives and working side by side with us to ensure evacuees had safe places to go. Their bravery and professionalism were a cornerstone of the response effort.
This response was a powerful reminder of what we’re capable of when we come together with purpose and resilience. It was an extraordinary effort—and one that made a real difference.
The Creek Fire was a Level 5 disaster response operation in the Red Cross world—one of the most complex and demanding we’ve faced—and the numbers speak volumes about the scale and impact of our collective efforts:
183 volunteers and staff were assigned to our Red Cross operation.
4 Temporary Evacuation Points opened for those affected by the evacuations, providing services for 16 days and nights.
3 Local Assistance Centers providing recovery support were open for 18 days.
34,332 overnight shelter stays were provided to evacuees.
80,844 meals were served.
20,514 snacks were distributed.
2,578 disaster emergency supplies were handed out.
More than 2,500 clients served across Sheltering, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Spiritual Care and Recovery.
At the peak, 51 hotels were managed as non-congregate shelters across 5 counties.
These numbers reflect not just logistics. They reflect lives touched, comfort given and hope restored. Red Cross hands and hearts were behind every meal, every shelter stay and every moment of care.
Throughout the long-term recovery efforts following the Creek Fire, we worked hand in hand with the Creek Fire Recovery Collaborative to support impacted communities. The Red Cross was proud to be the largest funder of these recovery efforts. But that support was only possible because of our incredible network of partners and the overwhelming generosity of the community. Together, we were able to meet critical needs and help families rebuild their lives. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together.
But our work doesn’t end here. Disasters will continue to impact our communities, and we need more compassionate, skilled, and resilient individuals to join us. If you’ve ever considered volunteering, or know someone who might be ready to make a difference, now is the time. Whether it’s sheltering, logistics, health services or emotional support, there’s a place for everyone in the Red Cross mission.
Just like we did during the Creek Fire, together, we can continue to build a stronger, more prepared community. This work is not easy. But it is meaningful. And I’m grateful every day to be part of it.
Let’s keep showing up, lifting up and standing up for those who are seeking hope amidst disaster.
A wildfire deployment shows the Red Cross mission at work on both sides of the border
“I like helping the community and giving back, so when I saw the opportunity to deploy outside the U.S., it grabbed my attention.”
Lucy in a wildfire shelter in Winnipeg.
Lucy Rojas is no stranger to disaster work. The Red Cross veteran, based in Monterey County with the Northern California Coastal region, recently finished a deployment to Canada to assist with the Canadian Red Cross response to the 2025 wildfires. But her initial disaster response was stateside in 2018.
“In 2018, I was deployed to the Parkland shooting; I was an intern at the (Red Cross) Broward County Chapter in Florida when it happened,” she said. The Red Cross was one of many humanitarian organizations that responded to the Feb. 14 mass casualty event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Seventeen people lost their lives that day. The Red Cross provided on-site support at the Family Assistance Center.
“Then I was deployed to a shelter the Red Cross opened in response to a fire at a local senior living complex. Just as that was wrapping up, the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse happened, and I was part of that response. All of this happened within three months.”
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