As I wait to board my flight to Hawaii, my heart and soul are with the people of Maui. I cannot imagine the devastation and heartache they are feeling.
My family has deep connections with West Maui. We lived in Lahaina part time for many years. The waters off Maui are where our son, Aleks, learned to swim. The historic church in Lahaina where Aleks and other keiki (children) first danced the hula is now ashes. Everything is just gone.
The Red Cross will lean in with everything we have. It is what we do, and who we are.
Maui no ka oi
(Maui is the best)
Jasper Smith is a true humanitarian: he has been a blood and platelet donor for more than 13 years. On April 20, 2023, he achieved an incredible milestone with his 50-gallon platelet donation.
The American Red Cross Leadership Development Center (LDC), a four-day conference, aims to empower individuals ages 13 – 18 with essential leadership skills, disaster preparedness knowledge, lifesaving skills and the opportunity to make an impact in their communities.
The Volunteer of the Year Award honors individuals who best exemplify the humanitarian spirit of volunteerism.
It’s the highest honor a volunteer can achieve within our chapters, meaning that they made significant contributions to the American Red Cross over the last calendar year. These volunteers worked in multiple roles alongside fellow volunteers and staff, providing support to all lines of service.
“They tell you to get out and that’s it.”
Dave Martin and a few dozen other RV Campers sought refuge in a rain-drenched parking lot in Hollister during the recent California storms. All of them were forced to evacuate local RV campgrounds when the floodwaters rose and threatened to swamp their vehicles.
Then, the Red Cross arrived with hot food and friendly volunteers Roberta Jones and Felix Rodriguez. They dished out meals, snacks and bottled water from an Emergency Response Vehicle.
“The people. Everyone is so grateful, and that’s why I do this," Roberta said.
Even before an American Red Cross emergency response vehicle dropped off 100 meals at the Mission Farm RV Park in San Juan Bautista on March 21, eager residents lined up for lunch, happy to get some fuel for the difficult job of trying to clean up the damage done by flooding to their community 11 days earlier.
Volunteers from all over the country are working together, providing food, shelter and relief supplies to those affected by severe weather across California. Many are experienced volunteers and have deployed several times. But some joined the Red Cross not so long ago and are on their first deployment. This experience can be both challenging and life-changing.
San Ardo residents comment on the impact the Red Cross has had on their recovery from unprecedented winter floods. Volunteers have been on the ground throughout California since before the New Year responding to flood damage and helping communities recover.
