Written by Allison Skoglind, Red Cross Volunteer

As floodwaters swept through communities in Washington state, American Red Cross volunteers from the Cascades region quickly answered the call, traveling far from home to provide shelter, comfort and hope to those affected. Among them are Warren Luke and John Vinje, two experienced volunteers whose dedication reflects the core values of the Red Cross mission.

On December 13^th, Warren arrived in Packwood, Washington, located near the base of Mount Rainier. In the days that followed, he was reassigned to shelters at Meridian Park and later the Auburn Community Center, where he currently serves as a shelter supervisor. In this role, Warren helps ensure residents have access to essential items like food, water and toiletries, while also offering reassurance during an incredibly uncertain time.

Originally scheduled to return home shortly after Christmas Day, Warren requested to leave on Christmas Eve so he could be with family. However, while discussing this decision with his wife, she ended up convincing him to remain in Washington to continue helping those in need. Warren has now extended his deployment through January 4^th. 

This is Warren’s second national disaster deployment, in addition to a prior local response. A volunteer with the Cascades Chapter for just over a year, although he served Los Angeles, CA region beforehand. When he isn’t deploying, John supports the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces team, drawing on his military background. 

His commitment is deeply personal. Years ago, Warren lost his home in California wildfires. The crucial help he received during that difficult time inspired him to “pay it forward,” motivating his continued service. Since arriving in Washington, he’s been especially moved by the gratitude expressed by shelter residents.

John’s deployment has taken him to Packwood as well, where he arrived on December 12^th and is scheduled to remain until Christmas Day. He began his assignment as a shelter supervisor before transitioning into a Shelter Resident Transition (SRT) role. In this position, John helps residents, many of whom lost their RV homes in the floods, find longer-term housing options.

This deployment marks John’s 35th disaster response over 16 years of volunteering with the Red Cross. Like Warren, John remembers the support Washington responders provided during the Oregon wildfires and felt compelled to return the favor. That spirit of mutual aid has been met with overwhelming appreciation from the people he serves. Even while busy in Packwood, John continues to monitor potential flood threats in Oregon and is prepared to deploy there, if needed.

From sheltering families to helping survivors plan their next steps, Red Cross volunteers like Warren and John are making a meaningful difference in the wake of Washington’s floods. Their compassion and commitment are a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest moments, hope is never far away. If you’d like to support people affected by flooding in Washington and other disasters, consider donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.