Tag: California Gold Country Region

CA Gold Country Region Red Cross Continues to Operate Shelter in Sonora; Mobile Feeding Begins in Chinese Camp

NOTE: This post will be updated regularly as our sheltering situation evolves.

Volunteers with the California Gold Country Region continue to run an evacuation shelter in Sonora in response to this week’s wildfires.

2-7 Wildfire (Calaveras County):

Shelter: Sonora Senior Center, 540 Greenley Rd., Sonora, CA 95370

A livestock shelter is open at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 101 Frog Town Rd., Angels Camp, A 95222

Today, the Red Cross is partnering with the Salvation Army to provide meals, water and ice to Chinese Camp, which was evacuated when the fire broke out.

Blue Fire and Dillon Fire (Siskiyou County):

Animal shelters are open at the following locations:

Cat and large animals: Siskiyou Golden Fair, 1712 Fairlane Rd., Yreka, CA 96097

Dog shelter: Rescue Ranch, 2216 East Oberlin Rd., Yreka, CA 96097

Everyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters, including those with service animals. The Red Cross delivers help to anyone regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Volunteers are onsite to provide visitors with a place to sleep, meals, beverages, snacks, comfort and care.

If possible, those who stay in a Red Cross shelter are encouraged to bring the following items to make their stay as comfortable as possible: prescription medications, items for pets, extra clothing, pillows, hygiene supplies, or comfort items. It is also recommended to bring special items for children such as diapers, formula or toys.

For more information on Red Cross disaster relief, recovery services and how to prepare for disasters, visit redcross.org/gethelp.

Red Cross shelter locations can be viewed here.

Support Red Cross disaster relief efforts by volunteering or by way of financial support.

Do You Know Someone Who Should Fill One of These Volunteer Positions?

The workforce of the Red Cross is 90% volunteer-driven. From time to time, key volunteer positions open up that are critical to us carrying out our mission throughout the region.

Each month, we will post the highest priority openings here. If you know someone who may be a great fit for one of these opportunities, contact CA Gold Country Volunteer Services at goldcountry.vol@redcross.org.

Volunteer Karen Smith Celebrates 55 Years with the Red Cross

By Stephanie Gaito, Volunteer

In tough times, we all need stories to inspire us to keep pushing through challenges.  

Karen Smith recently celebrated 55 years as a Red Cross volunteer.

Karen Smith’s lifetime of community service is one such story.

A resident of Fair Oaks, Calif., she recently celebrated a 55-year span of volunteering with the Red Cross.

The retired registered nurse has used her professional skills and compassion for others to impact local families and individuals for decades.

She started her career as a neurosurgery intensive care nurse at Los Angeles County General Hospital, now known as Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center.

In 1964, Karen left her position to care for her growing family when her oldest son was born. Her desire to continue helping others pushed her to seek alternative volunteer opportunities that would support her schedule.

Her search led her to the Red Cross.

Smith received this pin to commemorate her 55 years of service.

Karen began teaching local Mother Baby Care classes which walked new parents through newborn care essentials such as breastfeeding and bathing.

After relocating to the Sacramento area, she continued her Red Cross volunteer work even after she returned to her nursing career, working flu shot clinics and first aid stations at state and county fairs.  Karen has been administering the flu shot for 25 years and has seen first-hand how accessible health care can positively impact a community.

“Fifty-five years is a great accomplishment,” said California Gold Country Region Volunteer Services Officer Jennifer Campbell. “We value the lifetime she has given for others.”

 These days, Karen is working to helping to administer the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Part of my job is not just giving the shot, but making the patient feel comfortable,” she said. “What I like about it is being able to talk to people and explain to them what we are going to do. It gives me joy to see them happy that they have done something for themselves.”

When asked why she volunteers, Karen said, “I would never think of walking away if there was something I could do to help.”

With those inspirational words, we thank Karen Smith for her decades of service to help alleviate human suffering and to inspire hope in her community.