Red Cross volunteers from the Silicon Valley Chapter take time out from their work on February 24 to pose for a photo at the mobile home park.
By Larry Dietz
On Saturday, February 24, volunteers from the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley installed 164 smoke alarms in the Moss Creek Mobile Home Community in San Jose. The work was done as part of the Red Cross’ regional Sound the Alarm – Save a Life campaign. Read more
The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake not only introduced Rick Martinez to a career in law enforcement, but to years of volunteer service with the American Red Cross. Read his story. Read more
By Lori Wilson
Corporate responsibility is the new buzz phrase for a corporation’s community support, however that support is manifest. Some give financial donations, some in-kind donations, some volunteer hours, and some a combination of all of the above. In the Northern California wildfires, we saw no shortage of corporate responsibility, an example of which is the gift of a volunteer named Gregg Weismann.
Gregg had volunteered with the Red Cross for many years, supporting the Silicon Valley Chapter as a Disaster Team Captain. But he became inactive about five years ago as life took over and his ties to the organization became less than they were. However, when the 2017 fires started and it became apparent that we were going to see a fire response like never before in California, he reached out to offer his services and expertise once again. Gregg was quickly asked to help on our shelter support team, the team that is responsible for making sure Red Cross shelters have what they need. For the Shelter Support Manager Alex Rose, Gregg was a welcome addition because he brought “professional capabilities to the job that we did not currently have with existing volunteers” and because “it is always an honor to serve next to someone that brings such a rich history of service with the organization.”
When Gregg arrived at the Disaster Headquarters he only had one week to give; that was all he had saved of PTO to use. As his time to return home to San Jose approached, he felt that he had work left undone and had more to contribute. So he and Alex crafted a request to Gregg’s Manager requesting more time off if possible. The repose came back quickly with not only the additional time off granted for PTO, but with the decision that Gregg would not have to use any PTO, that Comcast would simply loan him to the Red Cross and his wages would be paid in full.
This is only one way that Comcast has supported this response; they were also critical to many of our IT issues, helping to set up our networks at shelters so that those evacuated by the fires could connect with loved ones and let them know they were OK. Comcast has been an invaluable partner, and we are very thankful for the support. We are excited for what the future may hold with the possibility of building on that partnership. As Alex said, “Maybe it will result in even more Comcasters helping us in our operations of a disaster and a deeper volunteer pool, for a stronger response.”
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Jim Burns provided editorial support for this story.
By Virginia Becker
The fires that broke out in the Napa area began around 11 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017. A weather phenomenon known as the “Diablo winds” contributed to fueling this fire and turning a great portion of the Napa Valley into a raging inferno. Read more
By Cynthia Shaw, American Red Cross
When a series of devastating wildfires ravaged California, thousands of homes were lost in minutes and many people were suddenly coping with unprecedented challenges. In small towns with a big sense of community, neighbors came together to help one another, mobilizing with great generosity.
Two weeks later, many community groups and agencies big and small are still working together on the relief efforts—distributing truckloads of relief supplies, while also providing food, comfort and shelter to those affected by these disasters. Read more
By Bristel Minsker, volunteer contributor, American Red Cross
When Red Cross volunteer Lynda Holm deployed to Middletown, Calif. to help with the wildfire relief effort, she knew little about what she would be doing there, only that she would be working in mass care. When she arrived, she was given an important assignment that would put her leadership skills as a firefighter into action.
“With hotels around the region full, I was charged with opening and managing the shelter for all the Red Cross volunteers who had come to town to help,” Lynda said. She was given the location and contact information for the would-be shelter: the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Middletown.
This was a new role for Lynda, but when she met with the Church leadership to get things set up her nerves as a first-timer were immediately settled.
“They were so warm, and they welcomed us to their facility with open arms,” she said. “Since the moment we met, they have done everything possible to make us feel comfortable.”
One of the Church elders gave Lynda is personal phone number so that she could call anytime if something in the building needed fixing. She was touched that he would be so accommodating. And then, when the elder came by to help with maintenance one afternoon, Lynda found out that his own son had lost everything in the Valley Fire.
“All he asked is that I share with him the stories of our volunteers on the front lines. The church congregation knows that they are playing an important role by helping those of us who are providing direct services to the community, and it helps them to know that they are a part of that.”
When it came time for their weekly service, Lynda began making arrangements to clear the volunteers and cots out of the sanctuary so that the church could hold their regular service. But instead something surprising and heartening happened. They told Lynda that she didn’t need to clear out.
“They said, ‘We’re going to hold our service outside and have a potluck. When we agreed to host the Red Cross here, every member of the church decided that this would be your home as long as you needed it,’” Lynda recalled.
To return to the kind gesture, Lynda immediately called Red Cross logistics to secure a tent so that they would have plenty of shade for their outdoor service and potluck. It was the very least she could do to return their kindness, she said.
Under Lynda’s stewardship, the ongoing partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church community—and the many other strong partnerships like it—has been critical to the safety and comfort of the Red Cross volunteers who have left their daily lives behind to come help on the front lines.
Everyone who plays a role in the response, including those who help the helpers—like Lynda and the church elders—are an important part of helping families impacted by the wildfires get back on their feet.
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