Tag Archives: Bay Area
When they needed shelter, the Red Cross was there
Posted on January 26, 2023 by Martin Gagliano
Photos and reporting by Barbara Wood/Red Cross volunteer
Red Cross volunteer Debbie Torres of San Mateo, California, talks to Jose Galvan Alvarez and his grandson Kingston in a Red Cross shelter.
Photo by Barbara Wood/Red Cross volunteer
The Galvan Alvarez family was sound asleep in their South San Francisco apartment in the early hours of January 10 when they were jolted awake as the entire roof blew off their apartment building.
"At first we thought it was an earthquake," Jose Galvan Alvarez said, holding his nine-month-old grandson, Kingston, in a Red Cross shelter at the San Mateo County Event Center. Water from one of the series of major storms that have been pounding California started pouring in through ceiling light fixtures, he said.
The family called the fire department, which quickly responded and referred them to the nearby Red Cross shelter that had been opened to provide refuge from the storm for all who needed it. The family arrived at about 4 a.m. and were provided supplies, such as diapers, food and toiletries, as well as a portable cot for Kingston and warm beds for the rest of the family. In the morning they had warm showers and breakfast.
"The Red Cross has been excellent," Jose said. "I've got nothing but nice things to say about the Red Cross." Jose said he had also been helped by the Red Cross years ago, when he had a fire in his apartment. Jose then excused himself to grab a broom and dustpan and clean up around his family's cots. "The Red Cross is helping, so I can help, too," he said.
The atmospheric rivers that pounded California for weeks, with floodwaters and damage remaining long after the storms have subsided. At one point there were as many as 100,000 people in California under evacuation orders or warnings.
Now that the skies have cleared, individuals and families are returning home to evaluate their path back towards recovery. Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers are continuing to safely shelter those in need, deliver hot food and relief supplies to impacted neighborhoods, and provide much-needed emotional support.
For many, the road to recovery will be long – and the Red Cross will stand with survivors in the weeks and months ahead as they begin to rebuild their lives. You can help people by:
Making a financial gift to California Storms and Floods. Donations for Disaster Relief enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Sharing Red Cross updates through your social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn).
Becoming a Red Cross volunteer: http://tinyurl.com/ARC2023FloodsApplication
Homepage posts — Featured
Red Cross Responds as Bomb Cyclone Impacts California
Posted on January 25, 2023 by Jenny Arrieta
American Red Cross volunteer Judy Correnti-Graff of Murray, Kentucky carries a tote full of supplies.
Photo by Barbara Wood
This information was last updated on Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 a.m. Please check back regularly for updates.
Californians have begun the monumental task of cleaning up after the recent weeks of severe weather, an undertaking that could take months to complete. The American Red Cross is helping them now and will also be there in the days and weeks to come, supporting people as they recover from the storms.
Since the New Year's Eve, more than 700 American Red Cross disaster workers are helping people impacted by this stretch of back-to-back severe weather, providing them with a safe place to stay, food to eat, relief supplies, emotional support and comfort. The Red Cross and partners have provided more than 9,100 shelter stays in 82 shelters, more than 58,200 meals and snacks, and distributed more than 14,700 relief items such as comfort kits and other relief supplies.
This online story map offers a look at the ongoing response to the California floods; this map is updated as more information and stories from the ground are available.
Supply Distribution Sites: Wednesday, Jan. 25
The Red Cross is out in impacted areas distributing emergency supplies and clean-up kits to help residents recover.
Chabolla Community Center
600 Chabolla Avenue, Galt, CA 95632. MAP
Felton Branch Library: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
6121 Gushee Street, Felton, CA 95018. MAP
While trained Red Cross volunteers and staff continue to manage the response efforts, we are looking for additional volunteers to help with disaster response and recovery activities, including feeding, supply distribution, clean-up kit building and more. Apply online to become a Red Cross volunteer by visiting tinyurl.com/ARC2023FloodsApplication if you are interested in helping with this response or responses like this in the future.
Statewide Red Cross, County and Partner Shelter Information by County:
Everyone is welcome at a Red Cross shelter. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free. Current list denotes open shelters managed and/or supported by the Red Cross, county or community partners.
Merced County Fairgrounds – Yosemite Hall
900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Merced, CA 95341.MAP
Blood During Disasters
The Red Cross is working to maintain a stable blood supply amid the threat of storms and winter weather across the country, as severe weather often causes widespread blood drive cancellations. Where it is safe to do so, we encourage donors to make and keep blood donation appointments by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief.Donations for Disaster Relief enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation..
Stay Up-to-Date on Social Media
Updated information on the Red Cross response to this storm, and preparedness information is continually updated on regional social media channels:
Twitter: @redcrossnorcal
Facebook: @redcrossnorcalcoastal
Instagram: @redcrossnorcalcoastal
The Spirit of Volunteerism: Celebrating our Volunteers of the Year
Posted on September 5, 2022 by Martin Gagliano
The Volunteer of the Year Award is the highest honor a volunteer can achieve within our chapters, awarded annually to the individuals who best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism.
The most recent awardees have contributed significantly to the American Red Cross across all our lines of service and worked alongside staff and other volunteers in multiple roles.
Their contributions have enabled the Red Cross to fulfill our mission to the community throughout the region.
We proudly present:
Cindy Leung
Cindy has been part of the Community Partnership outreach program in Alameda County since 2020.
Her leadership has made the program a model for similar initiatives across the region. Her professionalism and dedication has allowed the Red Cross to reengage with multiple key partners while developing new relationships.
Cindy is a passionate volunteer who believes that "we can only fulfill our mission as a team and as a community."
"I'm motivated by the incredible selflessness and dedication of other Red Cross volunteers, the staff and our partners who all drive towards disasters instead of away from them. With climate change, I see more and more human suffering and displacement in our future, and there will be even greater need for our services, before, during and after emergencies."
Suzanne Garrett
Red Crosser extraordinaire Suzanne Garrett was honored for her service, dedication and time as a large-scale disaster responder and as a Disaster Action Team member. She's held several key roles in Contra Costa County, including Disaster Chair, Disaster Action Team Lead, Duty Officer and Caseworker.
She also serves as our county Program Lead for The Pillowcase Project and has kept the program thriving in Contra Costa County, even through the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I want to thank all the many volunteers I have the pleasure to serve with, in Contra Costa and also throughout (our region.) You have made me feel like part of a true family where we all have a common purpose – Sleeves Up, Hearts Open, All In."
Ann Bennett Young
Since joining the Red Cross, Ann has supported blood drives as a Donor Ambassador and as a blood drive coordinator.
She has also been an advocate and champion of inclusion, belonging, equity, and access, and has presented on cultural intelligence on multiple occasions within our region and to regions across the U.S.
Ann has also assisted Disaster Cycle Services, working with community partners and residents to ensure they are prepared to respond to disasters.
"Volunteering with the Red Cross allows me to spend time with people who know that they can make a difference for those around them. Problem-solving and meeting needs become so much more meaningful in a context where others can benefit directly. Additionally, I learn so much and am always able to strengthen my skills by taking on new and different challenges."
Alisa Zhou
Alisa is a kind and passionate volunteer, and a wonderful leader for her chapter's Youth Executive Board.
From her position on the North Bay Board of Directors, Alisa was inspired to create a storybook that highlights Red Cross volunteers around the world. In addition to her storybook project, Alisa is always thinking of new ideas to engage chapter youth volunteers and promote Red Cross Clubs.
Furthermore, she has invited notable guest speakers to events that allow high school students to learn about the organization's impact.
"I'm blessed to have found a family among the Red Cross community and look forward to continuing to grow — both personally and professionally — together. The Red Cross community is one that is so special…(t)his organization truly bridges the line between friends and colleagues," she said.
Matthew Tsai
With his determination to serve communities impacted by wildfires, Matthew became an effective advocate for expanding youth engagement in disaster response within our region.
He was the first youth volunteer from our region to be deployed in the staffing function, specifically the Disaster Event Based Volunteer team.
In this role, Matthew supported community members who graciously raised their hands to join our wildfire response. He hosted new volunteer welcome sessions, managed the regional volunteer shift tool, and helped fill open shifts, all while attending school during the day.
"I am continually inspired by how the collective power of our organization enables us to respond to major disasters and help people across the globe."
"I Want To Do That!"
Posted on August 8, 2022 by Marcia Antipa
Bay Area Clara Barton Honoree Uses her Journalism Skills To Tell The Red Cross Story
Barbara Wood on assignment in Bayou Gauche Island, Louisiana during Hurricane Ida in September 2021.
Barbara Wood is a longtime American Red Cross volunteer from San Mateo County. She was recently given the Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership for the Red Cross Bay Area Chapter. It's the highest honor of volunteer achievement at the chapter level.
Barbara says she was inspired by her aunt Vinnie Bieberdorf, a Red Cross volunteer for more than 50 years. "She responded after (Hurricane) Katrina, she was managing a mega-shelter. She responded after 9/11. She did all of these things and I said 'I want to do that!'"
Barbara is a retired professional newspaper reporter, who has served in many positions with the Red Cross. Now, she is a public affairs volunteer, reporting on the Red Cross efforts to help those affected by wildfires, floods, tornadoes and other disasters.
The Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region Communications Director Cari Dighton says, "She has 30 total deployments under her belt, and she continually brings that knowledge back to the region – co-instructing courses, mentoring our new communications volunteers … and writing multiple, heartwarming stories per year."
Barbara and her husband raised three children in San Mateo County. She joined the Red Cross in 2006, volunteering for work close to home. Once her youngest child had her driver's license, Barbara began volunteering for the Red Cross at disasters across the country.
Her first deployment was to Hurricane Ike, a powerful cyclone that hit Texas in 2008. She remembers the camaraderie of living and working with first responders and other community partners in Texarkana and on Galveston Island.
"There was a huge mess tent where you'd go through a cafeteria line and there was a massive amount of food because firefighters eat a lot. The National Guard was there, there were firefighters and utility workers, and the Salvation Army."
Barbara's deployments have taken her all over California and the U.S.
Barbara embraces wildfire shelter residents during the Oak Fire response in Central California, July 2022. Photo by Sivani Babu/American Red Cross
"I went to Santa Rosa after the Tubbs fire. I was in Oroville after the Camp Fire, and in 2018, they were looking for volunteers to go to Hawaii so I got permission from my job to go after the volcano erupted on the Big Island of Hawaii."
Barbara says she loved working in the shelters and providing other services to those affected by disasters – but as a professional journalist, she realized her skills could be better put to use in Public Affairs.
"She proudly tells everyone she knows that her 'volunteer job' is being a Red Cross storyteller," says Dighton. "She is incredibly talented and travels all over our region and across the country to support the Red Cross mission."
This hard working journalist and volunteer combined her two loves: professional writing and helping others. After every deployment, Barbara would write a firsthand account in the form of a column about her Red Cross experiences for her newspaper. On her deployment to Hawaii, she met a group of USGS experts from Menlo Park. "I called my editor and said, 'Can I stay an extra three days if I write a story about this USGS geologist who is a volcano specialist and I'll have a story for you?' So they let me do that."
Barbara has brought her sharp journalism skills to multiple disaster deployments, writing stories about volunteers and shelter clients. She illustrates her articles and social media posts with her own thoughtful, heartwarming photos.
Eventually, Barbara retired from journalism, but not from her volunteer job as a Red Cross storyteller. "When I think back over my life about things I've done as a reporter, and things I've done with the Red Cross, I think the Red Cross things are in many ways more memorable."
Barbara tears up as she remembers her experiences.
"I sometimes say I think the Red Cross is kind of like a placebo. When you show up someplace, people say "oh look, it's the Red Cross! And they instantly feel better before we do anything. And whatever we can do to help them, we do."
Barbara urges anyone who wants to make a difference to volunteer for the Red Cross. "It doesn't matter what your skills or interests are; there's a Red Cross job for everybody."
As this article was written, Barbara was already off on her next deployment: the Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park in Central California. Once again, she is telling the stories of the Red Cross volunteers and the people they help.
Please click on the links below to read just a handful of Barbara's remarkable Red Cross stories:
Red Cross volunteer: "This is what we do; we go where we're needed."
Volunteer lifts morale of all around her
Tirtza, Barry and Gumby help out in Gold Country shelter