Staying safe in today’s longer, hotter summers

By Gordon Williams  Torrid summer days can leave you feeling sweltering, sweaty, and just plain wiped out. Heat can also expose you to illnesses that range from heat stroke to heart disease. In carrying out its mission to teach preparedness to one and all, the American Red Cross warns, “Extreme heat is deadly and kills … Continue reading Staying safe in today’s longer, hotter summers

How the Red Cross is preparing for The Big One

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