Red Crosser Rux Muys-Stoian (left) with little Isela and her mother Paris. They were happy to find help at the shelter after a fire forced them out of their home. “The meals are what I am thankful for,” Paris said. Photo by Fernando Elias, American Red Cross
By Diane St. Denis, Disaster Response Operation director
On September 25, 2025, the Silicon Valley Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to a 22-unit apartment fire in San José that displaced more than 70 residents. American Red Cross volunteers arrived on the scene to comfort affected residents, while other Red Cross volunteers, in cooperation with the City of San José, opened a shelter at Camden Community Center, offering families a safe place to rest, have warm meals and snacks and most importantly, connections to Red Cross services to support their recovery journey.
A Staff Planning and Support Service Associate Feature
Neil went the extra mile to help set up a shelter in the middle of the night
You may have seen American Red Crossers on the news handing out food or welcoming people into disaster shelters. But you may not have seen the countless volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes of a disaster response. Staff Planning and Support Service Associate Neil Katin is one of those people.
Neil has responded 39 times to disasters, big and small, in-person and virtually, to be the first and last Red Crosser that volunteers speak with during their deployment.
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.
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.
Each year, our chapter proudly honors two extraordinary individuals whose dedication and service embody the very heart of the American Red Cross mission. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who has made a significant impact over the past year—contributing meaningfully to our operations, programs, and services while exemplifying the true spirit of volunteerism. The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Leadership, our chapter’s highest, once-in-a-lifetime recognition, celebrates a volunteer whose sustained leadership and collaborative spirit over many years have helped shape and strengthen our ability to serve the community. Join us in celebrating this year’s remarkable honorees.
Midday Sunday, on Presidents’ Day weekend, 2025, anyone driving along I-880 near Oakland, Calif.’s Laney College would have seen a large black plume of smoke dangerously close to the freeway, billowing towards Lake Merritt. An RV fire had erupted on that dry but overcast day, its flames marking the beginning of an unusual reunification story involving at least two organizations, some very dedicated people, and a cat.
Marsha sleeping soundly under the care of her “good samaritan”
Found After Flames
A day or two after the smoke cleared, “a good samaritan,” as Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region volunteer Jessica Shobar recently said, “found a lost kitty in San Leandro…hiding under a car, badly burned, and covered in soot.” Though the kitty’s wounds were substantial—with blackened and singed paws, face, and body—she was alive. And though the distance from the fire was exceptional and the kitty didn’t have a microchip, her luck would later be viewed as extraordinary because the good samaritan and San Leandro’s Animal Control coaxed her into a carrier and took her to a local clinic. This was especially fortunate because if she’d been found in Oakland, she might have been sent to a shelter and never would have landed where the key ingredients for reunification were available.
Your Red Cross Update 