By Mark Walker Master Sgt. Holly Williamson was worried. It was March of 2016, and the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces specialist for the Spokane region got word she was being called to active duty and set to deploy to Qatar for six months. But the Air National Guard reservist was just a few … Continue reading Red Cross honored for ‘Yes to Vets’
Roger Drake: 18 Deployments in 7 Years
By Gordon Williams It should be no surprise that deploying to the California wildfires felt very familiar to Red Cross volunteer Roger Drake of Port Angeles WA. Roger’s first Red Cross deployment was in 2011 to aid tornado victims in Alabama. Going to California this year to help wildfire victims was the 18th time he … Continue reading Roger Drake: 18 Deployments in 7 Years
HEART to the Rescue
By Mark Walker Photos by Kathy Brasch As crews battled a 3,000-acre wildfire just a few miles away, Loki and Fanny rested comfortably with their owner, thanks to some kind-hearted volunteers. The two felines were safely tucked away in an emergency human and animal shelter the American Red Cross set up at Kettle Falls High … Continue reading HEART to the Rescue
“Ash is coming down like snowflakes!”
By Gordon Williams When Red Cross volunteer Fran Adams of Olympia WA hears about a disaster—nearby or far away—her first reaction is a desire to rush to the scene to help out. Her first Red Cross deployment to a disaster was nearly 20 years ago, to flooding at Chehalis WA in Lewis County. “I saw people … Continue reading “Ash is coming down like snowflakes!”
Helping Military Families while Loved Ones are Away
By Amy McCray Military deployment is stressful for all involved and the absence of a parent can be especially difficult for young children. The Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies program helps to alleviate some of that stress by producing life-size, from-the-waste-up photos of parents who are actively serving overseas. These photos help younger children and families cope with the emotional strain of … Continue reading Helping Military Families while Loved Ones are Away
Summer of Service for Military Teens
By Mark Walker "JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD – STAT!" More than two dozen teenage Red Cross volunteers became accustomed to that call for an immediate response and similar messages at Madigan Army Medical Center this summer. Teens taking part in the Red Cross summer youth program on the Tacoma area base work in nine hospital departments, … Continue reading Summer of Service for Military Teens
How Cody Campbell Manages the Red Cross Response in 7 WA Counties
By Gordon Williams When his phone rings in the middle of the night, Cody Campbell of Kennewick, WA can be pretty sure before he answers the call that a wildfire is burning somewhere not far off. Cody is Disaster Program Manager for the Central and Southeastern Washington Chapter of the American Red Cross, based in … Continue reading How Cody Campbell Manages the Red Cross Response in 7 WA Counties
How Trygve Anderson’s service impacts Snohomish County and Beyond
By Amy McCray Trygve Anderson’s first interaction with the Red Cross was when he was stationed in the central highlands of Vietnam in 1969. He had just gone to sleep after coming back from an overnight perimeter patrol, and somebody came and woke him up. He had a message from the Red Cross informing him … Continue reading How Trygve Anderson’s service impacts Snohomish County and Beyond
Why Rick Isaacson Volunteers and Volunteers and Volunteers
EDITORS NOTE: February 1, 2019This week we learned of the unexpected passing of board member and disaster volunteer Rick Isaacson in Wenatchee. Rick was a truly passionate Red Crosser. He believed wholeheartedly in our mission and worked tirelessly to support every member of our team. He was an entertaining emcee at volunteer appreciation events, the … Continue reading Why Rick Isaacson Volunteers and Volunteers and Volunteers
From the Patient’s Perspective
By Diane Toomey Lyani Valle, a Senior Program Manager with Amazon, volunteered to help with a recent blood drive at the Seattle office — one of many Red Cross blood drives now held by Amazon throughout the year. While Lyani herself is unable to donate, she “does what she can” to support the cause and has … Continue reading From the Patient’s Perspective
American Red Cross NW Region 