RedCrossNW Disaster Services

Red Cross + Salvation Army team up to feed evacuees in Puyallup

Shelter Manager Rich Simmons accepts a delivery of food and supplies from the Salvation Army. September 2020 By Ray Lapine Salvation Army Captain John Kelly is Deborah Veltry's hero. Veltry is the Red Cross volunteer in charge of finding meals for Red Cross shelters and Kelley had agreed that the Salvation Army's Puyallup kitchen would … Continue reading Red Cross + Salvation Army team up to feed evacuees in Puyallup

RedCrossNW Disaster Services

How Dan Mosley tends to Mental Health at disaster scenes

Disaster Mental Health volunteer, Dan Mosley, working from his virtual work space in West Seattle. September 2020 By Gordon Williams  Dan Mosley of West Seattle credits mountain biking for making him a Red Cross volunteer in Colorado a quarter-century ago. Dan is an avid mountain biker, and the Colorado Red Cross raised money through its … Continue reading How Dan Mosley tends to Mental Health at disaster scenes

RedCrossNW community, Disaster Services

Mom and kids flee fire and find shelter with the Red Cross

Justine and her 3 children enjoy a meal provided by the American Red Cross after evacuating their Bonney Lake WA neighborhood. September, 2020. By Mark Walker Justine Rosencrans and her three young children were sound asleep Tuesday morning when they were suddenly awoken with a command to flee. The family’s home on Myers Road in Bonney Lake … Continue reading Mom and kids flee fire and find shelter with the Red Cross

RedCrossNW community, Disaster Services

Evacuated family finds safety and shelter with the Red Cross

By Ray Lapine First there was the gauntlet of smoke and fire. Lisa Torgerson got a phone alert early Tuesday morning warning that she had to evacuate immediately because of the advancing wildfire. She and her two adult daughters who were living at home grabbed the family photo albums and started out in a caravan … Continue reading Evacuated family finds safety and shelter with the Red Cross

RedCrossNW Disaster Services, Volunteers

Tracy Sheehy’s Whirlwind Trip from One Fire to Another

By Gordon Williams  Red Cross volunteer Tracy Sheehy had just returned home from a two-week deployment to the California wildfires when she was asked to help at the fires sweeping through Washington. Now she is mass care manager for Red Cross sheltering operations in Federal Way and Puyallup where she works with shelter manager Richard … Continue reading Tracy Sheehy’s Whirlwind Trip from One Fire to Another

RedCrossNW Disaster Services, Volunteers

How Janice Chapman Shelters Clients from Wildfires and COVID19

By Gordon Williams  Janice Chapman Red Cross volunteer Janice Chapman was warned on the afternoon of Sunday, September 6 that she might be deployed to a wildfire in Eastern Washington. The call to deploy came early the next morning. “I was just finishing my coffee,” Janice said. Within hours, she was on her way to … Continue reading How Janice Chapman Shelters Clients from Wildfires and COVID19

RedCrossNW Disaster Services, Preparedness

Staying Safe in a Threatening Wildfire Season

July 25, 2018. Redding, California. Wildfires. Photo by Kris Warner/American Red Cross By Gordon Williams The images on television are horrific — pictures of wildfires burning out of control in California, Oregon and Eastern Washington. Since wildfire season is likely to last until the soaking rains of autumn, it’s essential you know how to stay … Continue reading Staying Safe in a Threatening Wildfire Season

RedCrossNW Disaster Services, Volunteers

FINDING RED CROSS PARTNERS: A NEW CHALLENGE FOR KATHLEEN VOSS

By Gordon Williams The Red Cross mission of aiding disaster victims around the world can be so demanding that no single organization could be expected to carry it out alone. That’s why the American Red Cross relies on hundreds of corporate and foundation partners to help provide the money, volunteers and skills needed to carry … Continue reading FINDING RED CROSS PARTNERS: A NEW CHALLENGE FOR KATHLEEN VOSS