By Leslie Czernik, Northwest Region
When wildfires tore through the suburbs of Los Angeles in January 2025, 5000 homes were lost overnight — displacing thousands of people. It can be all too easy to watch the latest disaster, pause at the heartbreaking images, and then go back to our own lives. For 12-year-old Harrison Burgess of Bellingham, however, that pause turned into action.
“I saw the pictures and said to my dad, ‘Hey, your house burned down once too, right?’ He said yeah, he told me the story, and I just thought… I want to help those people.”
Years ago, lightning struck the childhood home of Harrison’s dad – everything was lost in the resulting fire. The Red Cross showed up that night with blankets, toothbrushes, and hope. “They had these little bags of essentials – just enough to get you through the night,” recalled Robbie Burgess. “It made a huge impact, knowing someone had already thought of how to help.”
His dad’s story stuck with Harrison. Seeing so many people in need after losing everything, he decided to act. “I talked with my principal, called the Red Cross, and started a fundraiser.” Harrison’s idea sparked a schoolwide movement. “We put up flyers, made announcements – even set out jars for change in the school office.”
As a result, the Fairhaven Middle School community raised $201 for disaster relief, which Harrison delivered in person to the Red Cross. “The best part was walking into the Red Cross and handing them the money” collected through the effort, he said, as he knew “it would help someone who really needed it.”
The fundraiser elicited change for Harrison in more ways than one. “He has always been compassionate,” shared Dawn Burgess of her son’s nature. “But this took courage — speaking in front of classmates, asking for help, and showing that one person really can make a difference.”
Harrison’s decision to act during a time of need is why the Red Cross is honored to present him with our Community Impact Youth Award. One person can indeed make a difference, especially when they inspire others to do the same.
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