By: Jamie Myers, American Red Cross Volunteer

“They still have angels."

This is what Nancy Volcko, 76, thought as she landed in the safety net of the American Red Cross for the third time in her life.

In 1967, when Nancy was just 19 years old, her world was turned upside down. With her husband deployed to Vietnam, she found herself homeless with their 4-month-old daughter. Overwhelmed, scared and alone, Nancy turned to the local police station for help. The officer on duty reached out to the Red Cross.

Red Cross volunteers responded quickly, reassuring Nancy with comforting words: “Don’t worry, we’re here to help.”

Those words gave her a sense of hope. The Red Cross arranged for Nancy and her infant daughter to be safely transported to a relative in another city, offering them the support they so desperately needed.

Shortly after that, the baby became critically ill, requiring 78 days in the Intensive Care Unit. The Red Cross came alongside this tiny family once again, relaying the message to Nancy’s husband in Vietnam, and working tirelessly to bring him home. The Red Cross also helped to pay for hospital meals for the young couple as their baby girl fought for life. Thankfully, the baby recovered, and Nancy says she is forever grateful for the support the Red Cross showed her during that horrible time.

Fast forward 57 years and Nancy once again experienced the mission of the Red Cross.

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, her high-rise apartment building in Spokane, Washington, had a fire that displaced over 60 residents. She and her 11-year-old pup, Douglas (Dougie), made it to safety and found shelter with the Red Cross.

Nancy was extremely grateful for the care she and Dougie received, saying the Red Cross teams "treat our pets just like us.”

Though it was extremely difficult to be displaced from her home, Nancy is thankful for the way the Red Cross took care of her and Dougie.

“I don’t know where I’d be without the help of the Red Cross,” she said, snuggling Dougie on her lap.