Disaster Response

Oregon Wildfire Response is a ‘Team Effort’ As Volunteers Put Collaboration at the Forefront

September 20, 2020

Story and photo by Axl David / Red Cross Cascades Region Inside a nondescript office building in Salem, Oregon, Jenny Legaspi is working tirelessly to embody a phrase we often say at the Red […]

With One Question, Red Cross Volunteers Help Comfort Oregon Family Impacted by Wildfires

September 18, 2020

Story by Lynette Nyman / Red Cross Cascades Region In non-pandemic times, I’d get to hold and play with baby Shiloh. I’d make baby sounds, play peek-a-boo and generally make a […]

For Oregon Evacuees, the Smile Behind the Mask is Magic

September 17, 2020

Story and Photos by Axl David / Red Cross Cascades Region Amid the smoky air surrounding the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, Oregon, volunteer Michael Watkins seemed unfazed. For nearly a week, […]

When Oregon Wildfires Devastated My State, Six Words Changed Me Forever

September 16, 2020

Story and photos by Tami Aalto / Red Cross Cascades Region I am a disaster relief worker. Those are six words I never thought I would say.  I have worked with […]

New Volunteers Help Red Cross Build Wildfire Cleanup Kits, for Those Impacted by Wildfires

September 15, 2020

Story and photos by Lynette Nyman / Red Cross Cascades Region After damaging and historic wildfires swept through Oregon, starting on Labor Day 2020, many friends and neighbors of those […]

One Week Since the Start of the Historic Oregon Wildfires

September 14, 2020

Story by Lynette Nyman / Photos by Axl David / Red Cross Cascades When the call came to evacuate her home in Mollala, Oregon, Kathie Tapia grabbed her pills, pets, and wallet.   “How do […]

Red Cross Aids Hundreds of Oregonians Forced to Flee Wildfires

September 13, 2020

Story by Patricia Griffiths / Red Cross Cascades “I’m standing in smoky ash-filled air in Salem now, and it’s difficult to breathe even with a mask,” said Chad Carter, Red […]

Preparedness Month Goes Virtual but Preparing for a Disaster Remains Very Real

September 1, 2020

Story by Melanie Derbes / Red Cross Cascades “Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.” “Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.” If you repeat this to yourself […]

Red Crosser Proud to Put Her “Boots on the Ground” in South Texas

August 27, 2020

Story by Harriet Vanderbilt / Red Cross Cascades When Katelyn Dzialowy was asked if she wanted to deploy to Texas to support those impacted by a recent hurricane, she jumped […]

Red Cross Cascades Region looking for local volunteers due to COVID-19 as wildfire season looms

July 10, 2020

Story by American Red Cross Experts say the Pacific Northwest could be in for a busy wildfire season this summer and the American Red Cross needs volunteers to help in […]