RENO, NEVADA 25 November 2020 — Facing a relentless disaster season, families in the U.S. have spent more nights in emergency lodging in 2020 than in any other year over the past decade. 

 “As the coronavirus pandemic wears on, disasters like the many wildfires we’ve had around Reno — plus relentless hurricanes and wildfires nationwide— have upended hundreds of thousands of lives across the country,” said Mary Powell, executive director of the Northern Nevada Chapter of the Red Cross “Through it all, more people are stepping up as Red Cross volunteers to help others — even as they cope with these events and COVID-19. It’s a true testament to the humanitarian spirit of people in northern Nevada and in our country.”

More than 1 million times this year, a person relied on the Red Cross for a safe place to sleep after a disaster in the U.S. That’s more than four times the annual average from 2011 to 2019.

This year’s total so far includes dozens of overnight stays for people in Reno following the Poeville, Pinehaven and other wildfires. Volunteers have also aided more than 350 people affected by home fires this year in northern Nevada, helping them secure a safe place to stay and providing food, emotional support and other assistance. 

THOUSANDS ANSWER CALL TO HELP This year, more than 70,000 people across the country joined the Red Cross as volunteers — who represent more than 90% of its workforce. As northern Nevada and the country grapples with the pandemic, young people have played a critical role in disaster response— with Millennials and Gen Z representing more than half of new Red Cross volunteers.

Nationwide, 75% of new volunteers also stepped up at a pivotal time to fill mission-critical positions, such as shelter and health workers addressing urgent disaster needs, as well as blood donor ambassadors and transportation specialists helping to provide cancer patients, trauma victims and others with lifesaving blood.

“I have been with the Red Cross for two years and sadly could never find the right time to deploy. With everything going on in today’s world I felt a need to do more,” Holly McIntyre said. A powerhouse volunteer with the northern Nevada chapter, she deployed to the Tropical Storm Cristobal response early in the summer and was instrumental in setting up shelters for people affected by wildfires in and around Reno this year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP On Giving Tuesday and during the holiday season, help people in need by donating at redcross.org/gift. A gift of any size makes a difference.

A $5 contribution will provide a warm blanket to someone who has lost their home in a disaster.

For example, your gift of $50 can help connect veterans and their families to critical community services, such as food, housing, mental health support and rehabilitation.

A larger donation of $100 can provide a family of two with a full day’s worth of emergency shelter with meals, snacks, blankets, cots and hygiene supplies.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, tag us @RedCrossNevada or visit our pages at FB | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram.