By Gordon Williams All along the Pacific Coast, mid-June is time for CR22--this year’s version of the disaster drill known as Cascadia Rising. Emergency managers from California to Alaska--including disaster response experts from the American Red Cross--are using the drill to revise and refine how they would react to the event widely described as “The Big … Continue reading How the Red Cross is preparing for The Big One
The many ways Steve Hatfield serves the Red Cross
By Gordon Williams Red Cross volunteer, Steve Hatfield, while on deployment in Puerto Rico If you are pressed for time, don’t ask Steve Hatfield of Centralia WA to list all the things he has done for the American Red Cross in his nearly two decades as a Red Cross staffer and volunteer. The list runs … Continue reading The many ways Steve Hatfield serves the Red Cross
Stepping in Where Needed: These new Red Cross Volunteers Help Fill an Essential Position in Walla Walla
Dana (left) and Crystal (right) are two of our newest volunteers in Walla Walla, Washington By Gordon Williams One of the many things Dana Evans does in Walla Walla WA is serve as president of the local chapter of the Exchange Club — a national service organization. Dana was presiding over an Exchange Club luncheon recently when … Continue reading Stepping in Where Needed: These new Red Cross Volunteers Help Fill an Essential Position in Walla Walla
Meet Jenny Carkner – the Region’s new Chief Disaster Officer
By Gordon Williams For most of us, disaster planning involves safeguarding our own homes and homesteads against fire, flood, and storm. For Jenny Carkner of Ellensburg WA, disaster planning involves safeguarding all the dwellings that house the eight million people who live within the American Red Cross Northwest Region. A veteran of more than 17 … Continue reading Meet Jenny Carkner – the Region’s new Chief Disaster Officer
How Wells Fargo supports the Red Cross mission
By Gordon Williams Wells Fargo's Colm Boer and a group of volunteers, photographed in 2019 When water from rain-swollen rivers flooded much of Northwest Washington in November 2021, the American Red Cross came to the assistance of inundated communities, while Wells Fargo came to the assistance of the Red Cross. Continuing a long-standing commitment to charitable … Continue reading How Wells Fargo supports the Red Cross mission
“A chance to leave the world a little better”: Why Aaron and Deb Hayes became Red Cross Volunteers
By Evan Peper Three rivers threatened to overflow, farms and homes flooded, even I-5 itself was in danger of falling underwater -- Lewis County was hit hard by torrential rains that took place at the start of 2022. Acts of heroism always arise with natural disasters, as evidenced by the 20+ water rescues needed by … Continue reading “A chance to leave the world a little better”: Why Aaron and Deb Hayes became Red Cross Volunteers
How Jamie Hill manages King County Red Cross disaster response
By Gordon Williams When Jamie Hill first joined the American Red Cross in 2010, her goal was to aid disaster victims — helping in those critical first hours after disaster strikes. A family friend was a deputy fire chief in Kittitas County WA, and Jamie found his stories of firefighters in action compelling. “I wanted to … Continue reading How Jamie Hill manages King County Red Cross disaster response
Amazon partnership bringing comfort to kids with autism spectrum disorder
By Kristin Alexander Staying in an emergency shelter can be overwhelming for anyone. Having just escaped a hurricane, wildfire, flood or other disaster, emotions are high. No matter how well they are run, shelters can be crowded, loud, and lacking the familiar comforts of home. For children with autism spectrum disorder prone to overstimulation, those conditions can be … Continue reading Amazon partnership bringing comfort to kids with autism spectrum disorder
How Augie Berendsen survived the great November flood
Augie Berendsen points out some of the damage caused by flooding near his Everson home, November 18, 2021 By Gordon Williams Augie Berendsen of Everson WA knew the flooding had become really bad when he began hearing calls for help from the fields outside his farmhouse home. It was dark on the evening of November 14th … Continue reading How Augie Berendsen survived the great November flood
“We lost everything…” A home fire is devastating. The Red Cross is here to help
Emergency response to the Maple Crest Apartment fire in Tukwila, WA on August 17, 2021 By Abby Lutz “Let’s go, let’s go -- there’s a fire, we’ve got to get out of here!” Those were the words that awoke Samantha Walker on August 17, 2021 in her Tukwila apartment. Her husband, Isiac Walker, woke up … Continue reading “We lost everything…” A home fire is devastating. The Red Cross is here to help
American Red Cross NW Region 