DECEMBER 1, 2025 — In 2025, local volunteers became a lifeline for thousands of neighbors reeling from disasters in the American Red Cross Northwest Region. 

In a powerful display of community, hundreds of local volunteers responded alongside partners to provide safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support, and basic health services for families devastated by wildfires, home fires and windstorms. The Red Cross also distributed more than $840,000 in financial assistance directly to hundreds of households recovering in 2025 from disasters of all sizes in the Northwest Region. 

The need for this support shows no sign of slowing down. In the U.S., Red Cross home fire responses spike nearly 20% during the holidays, when families face increased fire risks such as cooking and heating. Just in our Northwest Region, over 700 people rely on the Red Cross after home fires in a typical November and December.   

“When an emergency strikes, it doesn’t matter what day or time, our volunteers are there to help” said Megan Dulgar, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Region of the American Red Cross. “It's the incredible generosity of our donors that allows our teams to respond immediately with essential aid and a message of hope. Every contribution ensures we can lift up our community, turning the darkest hour of a disaster into the first moment of recovery.” 

This GivingTuesday and holiday season, visit our Year in Review website to make a financial donation or to give back through volunteering. You can also make an appointment to give blood. The need for blood is constant — and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays. 

Also in 2025: How Local Responders Helped 

• Hundreds of local volunteers delivered aid for major disasters across the country, including the LA wildfires, Typhoon Halong in Alaska and flooding across many states. Responding to disasters is a team effort, and as they become more frequent and intense, families are relying on volunteers for support. 

• Over 109,000 local blood and platelet donors helped save lives in the Northwest Region and across the country, including people facing life-threatening conditions like cancer, sickle cell disease, childbirth complications and traumatic injuries. Patients rely on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal — and it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency. 

• Local volunteers and staff provided an average of 29,000 critical community services to members of the military and veteran communities in the Northwest Region.  

• Four people in the Pacific Division were honored with a National Lifesaving Award for helping to save lives with Red Cross skills like first aid and CPR. They were among 260 individuals across the country who received recognition for saving over 150 lives with their Red Cross Training. See here how Marcus Williams used CPR and quick thinking to save a man’s life in Washington.  

Visit our Year in Review website for stories about how people from the Northwest Region helped in 2025.  

About Our Regional Holiday Supporters:    

The Red Cross is grateful for corporate partners who contribute to our Holiday Campaign. They include regional partners Alaska Airlines, Fortive, Puget Sound Energy Foundation, Coinstar, Nordstrom, PEMCO Insurance, Remitly, SanMar and The Boeing Company. Thanks to the generosity of these and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people in need.  

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. 

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