Month: November 2018

UPDATE: Red Cross Opens Fourth Camp Fire Evacuation Shelter

The American Red Cross has opened a new evacuation shelter to accommodate Camp Fire evacuees in Butte County.

The shelter is located at 22 Gay Street in Chester.

Red Cross shelters are also open at the following locations:

Gridley: Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 East Hazel

Oroville: Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Avenue.

Chico: (AT CAPACITY)  Neighborhood Church, 2801 Notre Dame Boulevard.

Red Cross volunteers are on hand at all shelters to provide evacuees with a place to sleep, hot meals and comfort.

This post will be updated as new information about the Red Cross response becomes available.

For more information, contact American Red Cross Gold Country Communications Director Stephen Walsh at 916-208-4058 or stephen.walsh@redcross.org.

 

 

City of Redding Honors Red Cross for Carr Fire Disaster Response

The American Red Cross Gold Country Region was recently recognized by the Redding City Council for our response to the Carr Fire.

Also honored were our partners the United Way, Salvation Army, Shasta Regional Community Foundation and Catholic Charities.

The Carr Fire was one of several wildfires that displaced thousands of people throughout California over the last year.

Here is what Harvey Johnson, Senior Vice President of American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services, recently wrote about the California wildfires:

The 2017 California wildfire season was exhausting and heartbreaking for affected residents. For months on end, relentless blazes—including some of the largest and most destructive wildfires ever seen in California—impacted communities across the state, causing tragic losses and forever changing lives. Amid an unprecedented season of major disasters, the American Red Cross delivered relief and comfort to thousands of Californians.

This vital aid was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the public and the tireless efforts of thousands of Red Cross volunteers and employees. Together, their
compassionate contributions provided safe shelter, food, water and essential relief supplies to people in need, along with health services, emotional support and much more.

As wildfire survivors sifted through the ashes of ruined homes and took the first steps to rebuild their lives, the Red Cross has stayed by their sides with ongoing support for recovery. We’re providing financial assistance to households whose homes experienced major damage or were destroyed, and we’re awarding grants to partners doing important community recovery work.

We’re also joining with local Long-Term Recovery Committees to help identify and address residents’ unmet needs. We know that the road to recovery can be long and difficult. But, powered by steadfast supporters and dedicated volunteers, we’ll be there with affected individuals and families every step of the way.

Native American History Month: Meet Chele Rider

This Native American History Month, we’re highlighting those who play a pivotal role in helping the American Red Cross accomplish its humanitarian mission every day in tribal communities across the country.

This week, we’d like to highlight Chele Rider, Red Cross Division Disaster State Relations Director in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain division.

Here is a conversation we had with her around Native American History Month and our work with tribal communities.