When Elysee Kazadi received a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notice for his North Spokane home on Aug. 1, 2026, he faced the same uncertainty as thousands of others threatened by wildfires across the region.

Forced to leave quickly and unsure whether he would have a home to return to, Elysee made an unexpected decision: he signed up to help.

"I was thinking, I'm local and a familiar face," said Elysee, who has volunteered with the American Red Cross since 2020. "I spoke to some people in Swahili, and it was helpful to be able to give them information."

Rather than focusing solely on his own situation, Elysee reported to a Red Cross shelter supporting people evacuated from northern Spokane, where multiple fires threatened homes and neighborhoods.

For Elysee, volunteering is a way to give back to a community that once helped him."

I am a product of nonprofits," he said. "They helped me as a refugee, and I know how much volunteering helps. I'm not a millionaire, but I can help people."

Among those Elysee assisted was Catherine Creamer, who was evacuated from her assisted living community along with other residents."

Police officers picked us up and drove us to the evacuation center, where we waited for our care providers to come," Catherine said.

While shelter residents waited for updates about the fires, volunteers like Elysee offered information, comfort and reassurance."

I like the Red Cross," Catherine said. "They're very helpful and help a lot of people."

Like many people affected by the wildfires, neither Catherine nor Elysee knew what awaited them at home. Yet both found comfort in a shared experience of uncertainty and resilience.

Their story reflects the heart of the Red Cross mission. While the American Red Cross is a national humanitarian organization, disaster responders are often local volunteers serving neighbors in their own communities, even while navigating their own personal challenges."

Life is like that," Elysee said. "I'm glad I'm safe. It just shows how life can change in one minute. You have everything one moment and then nothing."

As wildfire season continues across the Northwest, volunteers like Elysee remind us that even in the midst of personal hardship, compassion can make a lasting difference.