During the devastating Northern California fires this past October, every person who fled their homes — and in many cases, lost them — has a story to tell. So do the many Red Cross people who heroically stepped up to help in response to one of the most destructive weeks of fires in the state’s history.
Read our 2017 California Wildfires One-Year Stewardship Report
American Red Cross volunteer Sierra Marcelius received the Gene Beck Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award in June of this year. When asked what the award meant to her on a personal level, Sierra reflects, “At the time it didn’t mean a lot; I didn’t do this to get an award. But now that I’ve left, it means a great deal. The people that I worked with thought I did a good job and valued my contribution to the team.” Read more
This article was originally published on October 12, 2015.
Immediate Collaboration
The ongoing drought across California has given way to another historic wildfire season. Beginning September 9, 2015, two of the most destructive wildfires in state history flared throughout northern California. The Valley Fire is now the third most destructive fire in state history and the Butte Fire the seventh most destructive blaze. Combined, these fires burned more than 150,000 square acres and destroyed more than 1,700 homes, displacing thousands of families. Read more
Cheryl Powell, Joanne Hagerty, and Sid Matlock deployed out of the chapter’s Carmel office.
The Central Coast Chapter, in preparation for the landfall of Hurricane Florence, has deployed 7 volunteers to support sheltering, transportation, and feeding. The Volunteers deploying with a combined 40 deployments under their belts are Jay Dravich, John Crepeau, Joanne Hagerty, Sid Matlock, Cheryl Powell, Frances Rinaldo, and John Delange. All have agreed to a minimum 2-week assignment. Read more
Melissa Bradley signed up to volunteer with the American Red Cross only six weeks ago. She’s already hooked. “I love it,” she says. “I have so much respect for the people I’ve met along the way, especially the people working on the disaster response team.” Read more
These maps have already helped save lives following disasters in Nepal, Haiti, Ecuador, West Africa, and Madagascar.
Each year, disasters around the world kill nearly 100,000 and affect or displace 200 million people. Many of the places where these disasters occur are literally ‘missing’ from any map, and first responders lack the information to make valuable decisions regarding relief efforts. “Missing Maps” is a collaborative project in which organizations, companies, and individuals are helping to map areas where humanitarian organizations are trying to meet the local needs.
The American Red Cross is a key partner in this effort. Read more
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