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
How this “almost-a-volunteer” is serving the Red Cross and her community
Melissa Burdg of Mead WA pitched in to help the Red Cross, even before becoming a full-fledged volunteer. By Gordon Williams Some 90 percent of Red Cross responders are volunteers — giving their own time and effort to help others in need. This article will introduce you to Melissa Burdg of Mead WA who pitched in … Continue reading How this “almost-a-volunteer” is serving the Red Cross and her community
Volunteering on the frontlines: Rhonda Jack
By Gordon Williams Rhonda Jack of Wenatchee, WA first volunteered for the American Red Cross in 2014 after watching news reports about the Oso WA landslide that killed 43 people and destroyed a town. “The Red Cross played an important role at Oso and I wanted to be part of it,” Rhonda says. Back then, … Continue reading Volunteering on the frontlines: Rhonda Jack
How Shivani Jayaprakasam became a Red Cross youth volunteer
By Gordon Williams Red Cross volunteer Shivani Jayaprakasam says that what triggered her passion for teaching disaster preparedness was being stranded in Japan three years ago, while Typhoon Jongdari pounded the country. Shivani and her parents had stopped over in Tokyo en route to a visit to grandparents in India. “I saw how unprepared people … Continue reading How Shivani Jayaprakasam became a Red Cross youth volunteer
Why I Volunteer: Diana Rios
By Jennifer Astion Diana Rios started volunteering at the Red Cross in May of 2020. She knew about the Red Cross and wanted to get involved. “I looked on the website and saw they needed temperature screeners for blood drives,” explained Rios. “I got the hang of it. I was working with a nurse in … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Diana Rios
Pandemic brings out the best in Red Cross volunteers and others
By Mark Walker Legions of American Red Cross volunteers have stepped up over the last year and a half to help the nation confront the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Be it staffing emergency shelters, assisting with vaccine distribution or making sure the emergency needs of fire victims are met, volunteers have responded in droves during the … Continue reading Pandemic brings out the best in Red Cross volunteers and others
The wartime tales of Red Cross Donut Dollies
By Gordon Williams Millions of Americans were sent overseas in one or another of this country’s wars. And while most bore arms and wore battle dress, some of the most intrepid wore the baby blue of the American Red Cross. Instead of weapons, they carried coffee and donuts — serving them to soldiers in the … Continue reading The wartime tales of Red Cross Donut Dollies
The Mental Health Corner Brings Practical Tips to Red Cross Volunteers
By Jennifer Astion The Mental Health Corner has become a regular component of the Red Cross Northwest Regions All Teams Huddle. A representative from the Disaster Mental Health (DMH) Team addresses a topic of general interest to volunteers. “We have talked about the value of humor, how to make our social connections in the virtual … Continue reading The Mental Health Corner Brings Practical Tips to Red Cross Volunteers
Mental Health Tips for 2021
By Jennifer Astion May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a great time for each of use to tune into our own wellbeing in this stage of the pandemic. Dan Mosley, Disaster Mental Health volunteer for the King County/NW Region Red Cross, reflected on some of the challenges we are all facing in the spring … Continue reading Mental Health Tips for 2021
Volunteering helped Susan LaBrie Martin earn the Girl Scouts’ highest honor
By Kristin Alexander Susan LaBrie Martin, in 1963 and 2021 The year was 1963. Susan LaBrie Martin, then a 15-year-old schoolgirl with cropped, brown hair and a passion for horses, had set her sights on earning the Gold Award. The highest achievement for a Girl Scout, the award is earned by fewer than 6% of … Continue reading Volunteering helped Susan LaBrie Martin earn the Girl Scouts’ highest honor
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