Author: RedCrossNW

By Eric Rothenberg “What can I do?” That was Zonia Quero Ziada’s first question when she walked in the Red Cross office 10 years ago after seeing news pictures from the New Orleans Superdome. It was September 2005, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. A month later, with her Red Cross training complete, Zonia … Continue reading Zonia Quero Ziada: From Katrina to Washington Wildfires — 10 years of selfless service, support and hugs

Contact: Public Information Officer Disaster Public Affairs – Washington Wildfires Phone:202-834-7865 Email:DR717-16PA1@redcross.org Media Advisory – Update Red Cross Role in Disaster Shifts to Recovery Phase Time Tested Three - Phase Approach to Disasters Involves Preparedness, Response and Recovery Wenatchee, WA. Sunday - September 6, 2015 – As the wildfires in the region continue to run … Continue reading Latest Red Cross Media Advisory

By Tiffany Koenig Sometimes unforeseen obstacles can derail an otherwise well-planned disaster relief effort. Fortunately at the Red Cross, we have many volunteers who view such challenges as opportunities to learn and build a stronger organization. One of those special individuals is Larry Messinger, a dedicated Spokane volunteer who was on the scene of a … Continue reading Red Cross Volunteer Spotlight: Larry Messinger

By Courtney Valenzuela It's mid-Saturday morning in Parkland and a team of Red Cross volunteers join the Central Pierce Fire department as they make their way through two area mobile home parks. The teams are going door to door testing and installing smoke detectors, free of charge to residents. This event is part of the … Continue reading A Day’s Mission: Making 100 Homes and Families Safer

The summer of 2014 brought the most destructive wildfires in Washington state history. The firestorm that swept through Central Washington consumed 363,000 acres and hundreds of homes and decimated infrastructure across the region, creating unprecedented challenges. One year on, the summer of 2014 is one few will forget. Yet this year, the region is preparing … Continue reading 2014 Washington Wildfires – One Year Update

By Nicole Ginley-Hidinger Each week, the Girls’ and Boys’ Achievers Academy students at Northgate Elementary hear from speakers about a variety of topics. On this day, representatives from the American Red Cross were on hand to teach emergency preparedness skills. To introduce the Red Cross presenters, Instructor Guillermo Carvajal, a Family Support Worker with the Seattle … Continue reading Lessons in Preparedness, Giving Back

By Tiffany Koenig, Red Cross Volunteer “Being involved in the community is second nature to me,” says Red Cross volunteer Ron Conlin. And it’s no wonder. Ron has been serving communities for more than forty years, starting as a police officer patrolling the projects in New Orleans—“some of the toughest in the world at the time.” … Continue reading Volunteer Spotlight: Ron Conlin

By Tiffany Koenig As a volunteer with the Language Bank in King County, Supriya Janarthanan brings a rare skill to her role: she speaks the South Indian languages Tamil and Telugu. Originally from Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu in India, Supriya enjoys volunteering with the Red Cross because it offers an opportunity to … Continue reading Volunteer Spotlight: Supriya Janarthanan