In 2017, Puerto Rico was hit with two strong hurricanes that devastated the island. One hundred percent of the population was without power, and many were without water or a safe consistent food source. The American Red Cross put out a call for disaster worker volunteers who have experience working in third world environments; they specifically sought returned Peace Corps volunteers, of which I am one. Read more
By Sharon J. Alfred
Red Cross HFC Volunteer Daren Olson poses with “Sparky,” who is the fire prevention mascot for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
Daren Olson is a firefighter with 30 years’ experience, so when he retired it was natural for him to become a volunteer with the American Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign (HFC). During his many years as a firefighter, he saw smoke alarms in all sorts of conditions. Olson recalled, “Once, I saw a melted smoke alarm sitting on the counter!” He never wants to see that again.
Preventing home fire is a subject near and dear to his heart. That’s one of the main reasons he volunteers on the HFC campaign with the Red Cross. He is the Contra Costa County HFP administrator/coordinator. Read more
SAN JOSE, CA (April 17, 2018) — American Red Cross volunteers were called by the San Jose Fire Department at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, to provide care and comfort to the 100+ residents evacuated due to the 5-alarm apartment fire on McLaughlin in San Jose.
Red Cross volunteers arrived on scene and quickly opened an evacuation center at the complex clubhouse, where residents were able to gather and wait for more information about next steps. Food and emotional support were provided. Also, Red Cross volunteers were able to meet with each family to assess the disaster-related needs. Read more
The four volunteers who responded are (l-r): Dan Kemper, Sal Duran, John Crepeau, and Kelly Donelly-May.
HOLLISTER, CA — An early morning fire on April 14 at a residence in the city of Hollister prompted a response from the city’s Fire Department, an assist from CalFire personnel, and support from the American Red Cross. The response occurred minutes after midnight on Saturday at 1000 Central Avenue.
The fire, which firefighters contained to the two homes at that residence, affected 27 people who were there at the time. Three of the occupants were reported to have sustained injuries that required treatment at a local hospital. Read more
For retired nurse Colleen Sasso, becoming a volunteer for the American Red Cross in 2009 was a perfect opportunity to do something other than nursing. It was a good plan, or so it seemed at the time.
“I had had a long and wonderful career at the San Francisco VA Medical Center,” Colleen says. “I worked in intensive care and was in charge of nursing in the Radiology Department. And I loved working with veterans.” Read more
When Los Altos Hills resident Florence Buatois was asked in 2012 to join the Silicon Valley Chapter’s Board of Directors, she accepted the Red Cross leadership position without hesitation. After all, Florence had attended college in Switzerland, the country where the international Red Cross was founded more than 150 years ago. Read more
