I began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 2012 when my AmeriCorps team did a Hunger Drive. I had always heard of it, but now had an opportunity to get to know what the Red Cross was really all about. I started doing administrative odds & ends, and I got to ride in an … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Valerie Jacobs
Why I Volunteer: Arnold Weaver
My name is Arnold Weaver. I’m 35, have a wife and three children and I’m a professional auto mechanic in Walla Walla, WA. I joined Red Cross with the vision of being able to give back to the community I live in. It can be difficult to find a volunteer program that works with both … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Arnold Weaver
SHE SERVES THE RED CROSS–AND MORE
By Gordon Williams Gail Fraser Chanpong of Port Ludlow, WA is an avid Red Cross volunteer in the Northwest Region’s Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas Chapter. She teaches first aid, CPR and preparedness and takes part in blood drives. When the Red Cross Sound the Alarm smoke alarm campaign kicks off next spring, she will be … Continue reading SHE SERVES THE RED CROSS–AND MORE
A LONG AND FAR-REACHING DEPLOYMENT
By Gordon Williams For most Red Cross volunteers, deployment is an interlude in their life--a few weeks in a disaster zone, helping victims of storm or flood or wildfire. For volunteer Haya Khateeb of Wenatchee, WA, deployment in the wake of Hurricane Irma was an odyssey--lasting nearly six weeks and taking her from Wenatchee to … Continue reading A LONG AND FAR-REACHING DEPLOYMENT
Answering the Call: New Exhibit Commemorates WWI at Red Cross National Headquarters
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into World War I and a time of phenomenal growth for the American Red Cross. This exceptional time in Red Cross history defined and helped create the organization we know today. To commemorate this event, a new exhibit, entitled Answering the Call, the American … Continue reading Answering the Call: New Exhibit Commemorates WWI at Red Cross National Headquarters
Young Philanthropist Works to Help Hurricane Victims
By Amy McCray When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, Albert Lam wanted to help those in need. He thought about how he could be supportive and came up with an idea: to set up a fund and sell pencils monogrammed with the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund name to raise money. He asked his parents, Hao and Lisa … Continue reading Young Philanthropist Works to Help Hurricane Victims
Why Deployment Was Different for This Volunteer
By Gordon Williams When Red Cross volunteer Mauri Shuler of Olympia, WA deployed to the California wildfires last month, she found much about the experience old and familiar but some of it new and challenging. Flying into a disaster scene is nothing new for Mauri. She did it many times in her years … Continue reading Why Deployment Was Different for This Volunteer
Volunteer Returns to his Roots to Survey Harvey’s Damage
By Dale Steinke Technology, including a new phone app, helped Walla Walla retiree William “Bill” Herrington and his fellow American Red Cross volunteers complete numerous home damage assessments and find their way around the Texas Gulf Coast to support Hurricane Harvey relief. Herrington, an upper Texas Gulf Coast native, became a volunteer last December with … Continue reading Volunteer Returns to his Roots to Survey Harvey’s Damage
Make Fire Prevention Week a Week of Fire Safety Lessons
By Gordon Williams Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14 this year, and Lisa Braxton of the National Fire Protection Association thinks it is a great time for parents to drill kids--young kids especially--in the lessons of fire safety. Braxton, in the Public Education Division of the NFPA, lays out a five-night set of fire safety … Continue reading Make Fire Prevention Week a Week of Fire Safety Lessons
Helping to Heal the Emotional Scars of Hurricane Harvey
By Gordon Williams The task of most Red Cross volunteers in a disaster zone is to provide victims with food, water and shelter. The task of volunteer Ginger Van Ry in a disaster zone is to provide skilled emotional support to victims whose response to disaster can range from stoic acceptance to deep, crippling depression. … Continue reading Helping to Heal the Emotional Scars of Hurricane Harvey
American Red Cross NW Region 