According to his supervisor, Gabe "crushed" his first major disaster deployment to Central Texas, in support of those affected by the devastating floods. "Rampage", a community member's dog, was around to lend some therapy to Gabe and fellow Red Cross teammates. (Photos courtesy of Gabe Griswold).
Katie Pippin/American Red Cross
When evacuation orders were issued during the Palisades Fire, Gabe Griswold was flying back to Los Angeles after a long trip. By the time he arrived home, the sky was pitch-black with smoke, and neighbors were scrambling to load their cars—including an elderly couple. Gabe stayed behind to help, remaining well into the night to make sure they and others nearby could leave safely.
“I hope we all make a point to support each other like that,” Gabe said. “I’ll never forget that night.”
Shortly after seeking refuge from the flames himself, Gabe signed up for shelter shifts with the American Red Cross, often working overnight as evacuees continued arriving in the weeks and months that followed.
While balancing graduate studies at the University of Southern California, teaching responsibilities, and professional music work, volunteering quickly became a priority. Gabe’s role with the Red Cross expanded rapidly—from sheltering and financial assistance outreach to hosting Mass Care meetings and taking on leadership roles in the West LA Chapter.
That sense of responsibility eventually took Gabe to Texas, where he deployed following major flooding. He served as a shelter manager and spent long days supporting families who had lost everything. One interaction stayed with him: a young girl who spent most of her time quietly drawing at the shelter. She had only a pen and a few sheets of paper, but it was clearly her way of processing everything happening around her. Wanting to do more, Gabe bought her proper art supplies with his own money so she could keep creating.
“It’s all in the details,” he said. “You start to realize how many people around you are really paying attention to the small things. That’s something I’ve learned and grown into through this work.”
Continuing as his chapter’s Mass Care volunteer lead, Gabe has also been promoted to Mass Care Program Lead for the Los Angeles Region. As a mentor, Gabe supports volunteers, bringing the same steady presence that shaped his own early experience. Known for his reliability and can-do approach, he’s played a key role in strengthening the West LA Chapter’s Mass Care team and now, the entire region’s.
While deployed to Texas, Gabe (right), stayed busy traveling between seven seperate non-congregate shelters (hotels), but still made time to connect with community member Harry Blanek (left). The nanogenerian lived near one of the shelters and would stop in on his daily walks to have conversations with volunteers and the people receiving disaster assistance. He told stories about his childhood, and all of his favorite things that “only us old folk complain about.”
“I really encourage people to at least try volunteering,” he said. “A lot of the people I’ve worked with didn’t start with experience. What mattered was awareness, empathy and the willingness to step in. That’s made all the difference.”
Train to step up for the next disaster, large or small. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to start today!
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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