Carol Janssens: Growing the K-9 Action Team (K.A.T.) Program Across the Country In 2006, I was deployed as a Red Cross volunteer to a flooding crisis, and I took my therapy dog Windy with me. Everywhere we went, in the shelters, in the areas we provided hot meals and assistance to people who had lost their … Continue reading K-9s Wag Their Way into Snohomish County Volunteer Ranks
Enthusiasm for Blood Donations Spans Three Generations
By Kayla Ihrig, AmeriCorps member serving the American Red Cross NW Region Despite never receiving a blood transfusion herself, a Montesano woman has coordinated thirty blood drives and counting. “I’m not a hero, I just have mad organizational skills,” Jennie said. "It’s just so fun. It’s a small community and it’s my way of helping out.” Jennie … Continue reading Enthusiasm for Blood Donations Spans Three Generations
The Aquatic Life: Red Cross Instruction Brings 50 Years of Water Safety
By CJ Jones At three years of age, Viki Downey was mesmerized by the lifeguards in her hometown of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. From that point, she decided that she wanted to be a lifeguard and on June 5th, 1965, she followed through by starting her first official lifeguard job at Camp Hayden Lake. Fifty years … Continue reading The Aquatic Life: Red Cross Instruction Brings 50 Years of Water Safety
Red Crosser Serves LGBTQ Community
By Kayla Ihrig, AmeriCorps member serving the American Red Cross NW Region In honor of World AIDS Day we spoke with a Red Crosser who spends every Saturday morning serving the LGBTQ community. Justin Hewitt is the Northwest Regional Disaster Workforce Program Support Manager. He coordinates training events, disaster deployments and staff support from Monday through … Continue reading Red Crosser Serves LGBTQ Community
Mother & Daughter Simultaneously Serve Their Washington Communities
By Kayla Ihrig, AmeriCorps member serving the American Red Cross NW Region Service work runs in the family for Elle Barnes (left) and Dakota Gates (right). Elle and her daughter Dakota are both currently serving their Washington communities through a term with AmeriCorps. Elle serves Tri-Cities with the American Red Cross in the Northwest region, in … Continue reading Mother & Daughter Simultaneously Serve Their Washington Communities
Volunteers from Renton Head Cross-County to Assist in South Carolina Floods
Renton-based Red Cross volunteers Vicki and Bill Lee made their way across the county to help families who were impacted by the devastating floods in South Carolina. Here is are some insights to how they pitched in at a time of crisis. Like ants they move, Red Cross trucks aligned, and loading up boxes … Continue reading Volunteers from Renton Head Cross-County to Assist in South Carolina Floods
Joining Hands to Help Save Lives
Hassan Khan, has lived in the United States for 15 years and is an active member in the Muslims for Life Campaign. "I don't want to be a silent spectator. I want to play my role and help people. I want to save lives, we can do that with our own blood." “I wanted to … Continue reading Joining Hands to Help Save Lives
Fixing the Unseen Damage: The Story of a Disaster Mental Health Volunteer
By C.J. Jones The unyielding, destructive force of the recent Washington wildfires has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the north-central Washington area. From a distance, it can be hard for some to fathom the extent of the damage. Brett Wenger, a Red Cross volunteer of 17 years, recently finished his deployment at the area and … Continue reading Fixing the Unseen Damage: The Story of a Disaster Mental Health Volunteer
So, What’s Your Plan? Going Home and Lessons Learned
The Red Cross responded to the Chelan Area Wildfire, August 2015. This is a 4-part personal account of volunteer service by Carlin Comm. Carlin Comm, based in Austin, Texas, was visiting his parents in central Washington when a fierce firestorm struck nearby in the small, resort town of Chelan. He joined his father, Garth Comm, a … Continue reading So, What’s Your Plan? Going Home and Lessons Learned
Looking Beyond the Backburns and Bizarre Scenes: After Response, Recovery
The Red Cross responded to the Chelan Area Wildfire, August 2015. This is a 4-part personal account of volunteer service by Carlin Comm. Carlin Comm, based in Austin, Texas, was visiting his parents in central Washington when a fierce firestorm struck nearby in the small, resort town of Chelan. He joined his father, Garth Comm, a … Continue reading Looking Beyond the Backburns and Bizarre Scenes: After Response, Recovery
American Red Cross NW Region 