The American Red Cross is looking for people to make a meaningful difference in our Northwest community!
AmeriCorps is a great opportunity to serve your community, build professional skills and develop your network in a positive setting.
Applications are now being accepted for 9 AmeriCorps positions: (descriptions below) Continue reading
By: Sara Shager
The Red Cross recently installed smoke alarms in several mobile homes in the Port Susan Camping Club in Tulalip, Washington. The need for working smoke alarms in close-quartered camping clubs is extremely high. The forest surrounding the club increases the risk of fires spreading from home to home. As volunteers finished one of the installations, a club member shared her escape plan. Continue reading
By: Dale Steinke
In 1944 during World War II, the United States military had just captured Guam when U.S. Naval Officer Daniel Gerard “Gerry” Woodward returned from training to find that his destroyer, the USS Hailey, had already left on a mission. Not knowing what to do, the American Red Cross staff found him housing and meals until they were able to reunite him with his ship.
It was a kindness he never forgot. It led to years of service with the Red Cross, including several years as the chairman of the blood donation program in Portland, OR. It also led to a final gift of thanks from his family’s estate. Continue reading
By Kristi Sanders
Photos by: Lucia Scordamaglia
As an AmeriCorps member of the American Red Cross, my role is focused primarily on teaching kids and adults about Disaster and Home Fire Preparedness. So when presented with an invitation to participate in the annual King County Fire & Life Safety Association’s Kids Safety Day, my answer was an enthusiastic, yes! Continue reading
It’s been three years since one of the largest fires in the state of Washington started on July 14, 2014. The Carlton Complex Fire consisted of four fires, all ignited by lightning. They destroyed over 250,000 acres, 322 homes and 149 other structures before being contained on July 26.
The American Red Cross mobilized immediately to assist survivors who were displaced. Shelters were set up and volunteers from across the country arrived to assist survivors in the immediate aftermath.
The summer of 2015 brought a second wave of devastating wildfires to the surrounding area. Back-to-back disasters and a growing number of homes lost in flames further strained already limited resources in the region. It became clear that the scope and duration of wildfire recovery would be immense.
Compassionate and generous donors drove successful fundraising efforts. They allowed the Red Cross and other local organizations to not only respond to the immediate needs, but also to create a “Long-Term Recovery” program to support survivors beyond the initial response and recovery period.
Kriss Salgado, previously an Executive Director for grief/loss support in her Wenatchee community, took on the role of Eastern Washington Recovery Manager on behalf of the Red Cross, a position she has held for the last 15 months. Kriss was responsible for taking those designated Red Cross donations and distributing them to survivor recovery efforts by working with individuals impacted and community partners.
Long-term recovery is a multi-year process for both survivors and the community. It is about coordination and partnerships and supporting survivors in their individual recovery, right where they’re at in the process. For Kriss, “facilitating this role for the American Red Cross has been the most memorable and impactful work I have ever done.”
With five affected counties and the area being very rural, it was logistically challenging for Kriss, who traveled up to two hours each day to reach the hundreds of survivors impacted. Kriss speaks very emotionally about the amazing resiliency of the survivors she met. 
As she smiles warmly with a “sticky note” that said “don’t cry” in front of her during our conversation, it was hard not to notice the meaningful impact this long-term recovery role had on Kriss. She said, “I got to see the compassion that started with donations and volunteer relief efforts, then watch as those Red Cross contributions made a meaningful impact on the recovery process. I am humbled to be a small part of what has happened here.”
As the 2 and 3-year anniversaries of the wildfires draw closer, Kriss and everyone at the Red Cross is hopeful for a quiet summer without the impact or loss that the season can bring, but are confident they’ll be able to meet whatever need arises.
For information on preparing for wildfires, please visit http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire.
| Active Wildfire Map | Wildfire Preparedness | Red Cross
View an interactive map of US wildfire locations and Red Cross shelters, and learn about how to prevent wildfires and what to do if one occurs. |
By: Sara Shager
David Petersen, Assistant Fire Marshal Lake Stevens Fire
On Saturday, June 24, The American Red Cross and Lake Stevens Fire Department partnered to Sound the Alarm and save lives by installing more than 100 smoke alarms in the Connor Park Mobile Home Park in Lake Stevens, WA. Continue reading
by Amy McCray
In 1917, as the United States was sending troops to France to fight in World War I, President Woodrow Wilson called upon the American people to give generously in a spirit of patriotic sacrifice to support the nation in its war efforts. He stated that, “by virtue of my authority as President of the United States and President of the Red Cross, I, Woodrow Wilson, do hereby proclaim the week ending June 25, 1917, as Red Cross Week.” He created a War Council within the Red Cross, to meet the “extraordinary demands which the present war will make upon the services of the Red Cross both in the field and in civilian relief.” Continue reading
