Volunteers and clients at the Stoner Rec Center. January 12, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA Photos by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross.
By Vicky Brown
Over 750 evacuees are still living in Red Cross shelters, more than one week after the fires tore through the Los Angeles area. Many of them are families with young children.
Red Cross caseworkers are helping shelter residents plan their next steps and connect them with other community resources. The top priority is housing, but we’re also helping people with transportation, health care, childcare and other needs.
These services were welcomed at the Stoner Recreation Center in Los Angeles, where Randy Ogden, a Red Cross volunteer and retired Fire Chief from Tucson, AZ was more than happy to spend some time playing with the kids he met there.
Eight-year-old Nitehiberson did her best to keep her brothers entertained but faced tough competition from a toys and a coloring book.
What’s most important is that the kids are safe, and the support from Red Cross volunteers gave mom and grandmother a chance to rest nearby. The family was forced to evacuate their home last week with limited clothes, supplies, and toys due to the Palisades Fire outside of Santa Monica, CA.
Anyone who has been affected by the fires is welcome to stop by a shelter to get information, a hot meal, charge their phone, and access other essential support.
Find shelter locations on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
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