Brimson Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Freyholtz talks to Red Cross disaster relief volunteer Lisa Posch at Hugo’s Bar, May 16 2025. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
These days, the sustenance at Hugo’s Bar in Brimson, Minnesota isn’t your standard pub fare. The tables where folks normally take classes for building fishing rods are now piled with diapers, tarps, thick gloves, contractor bags, and totes.
A small group huddles around a table. They hug, share a laugh, they cry. They discuss things they’ve lost, and they speak hopefully of rebuilding once the Northland Wildfires abate.
“We lost a lot,” a homeowner shares with Debbie Ecklund, who’s helping to manage the resource center, “the bar, the furniture, all handmade.”
“Stuff that you made?” She asks.
“No, the house was made in 1906. I wasn’t around to help.”
Debbie and the homeowner share a laugh at that.
Penny Linn and Debbie Ecklund at Hugo’s Bar in Brimson, Minn., May 16, 2025. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Since the onset of the Brimson wildfire the owners of Hugo’s Bar, Jesse and Jessica Willemarck, converted their establishment into a 24-hour resource hub, sleeping in four-hour shifts to maintain round-the-clock services for wildfire relief.
“I don’t know what we would have done without Hugo’s here doing this for us – without Jess and Jessica doing this,” says Fire Chief Randy Freyholtz. “This has been amazing. The support, the community outreach has been phenomenal.”
As the crowd grows, Chief Freyholtz can be seen checking in on families and making sure his neighbors have everything they need. After he’s made the rounds and talked to everyone, he sits down at a table with Red Cross volunteers.
“Some of us [firefighters] have been evacuated,” he explains, “but so far none of our structures have been affected, so we’ve been lucky in that aspect. Very lucky. For how fast this fire’s been moving, we’ve been very lucky that we haven’t lost anybody.”
Chief Freyholtz and his small group of volunteer firefighters have been fighting the fire since day one. And he’s been evacuated from his home, sleeping in his truck at the fire station when not committing his waking hours to combatting the flames threatening his community.
“And how are you doing?” a Red Cross volunteer asks Chief Freyholtz.
“I’m doing good. I’m tired,” he says, “I think it’s starting to catch up with me finally. Now that things are starting to slow down and I’m sitting down more.”
Red Cross volunteer Kyle Parkinson compares distance between Hugo’s Bar and the fireline, Brimson, Minn., May 16, 2025. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross
Rain during the weekend brought some respite. And information reports at Hugo’s say they’re full on donated goods and focused on distributing them to the people affected while donating the rest to food pantries and other community organizations to ensure nothing goes to waste.
To help reach people, Red Cross volunteers will be at Hugo’s to assess individual disaster care needs, such as health, mental health, and spiritual care. They’ll also use the site as a hub for working directly to provide support for those who have lost their homes to the fires.
If you or someone you know has been displaced by the Northland Fires, call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Story and photos by Nate Russell/American Red Cross Volunteer
In late January, Patty Brooks, Executive Director of the Eastern South Dakota Chapter of the Red Cross, got a touching voicemail from two students at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls. They were reaching out to invite someone from the Red Cross to come to talk to their youth group about how the organization was helping with wildfire relief efforts in California.
Not long after that, Patty received an email from Kathie Douma, the church’s Director of Children’s Ministry. Kathie shared that her first through fifth-grade students were working on a service-learning project, where they were asked to identify a need in their community and come up with ways they could help out. After thoughtful discussion, the children chose to focus on the California wildfire relief efforts and the role of the American Red Cross in providing support.
Project announcement from the First Presbyterian Church newsletter.
Red Cross volunteers Patti Vaska and Katie Gilmore, both retired nurses, met with the students to explain how the Red Cross responds to disasters like the LA wildfires. They helped the children imagine what it would be like to evacuate their homes and stay in a group shelter, offering insight into the experience from a young person’s perspective.
“It was a really fun evening,” said Katie Gilmore. “We were honored to speak with the students – it was unlike anything we’d done before. It was a meaningful way to involve youth in community service and explain how the Red Cross supports people during disasters.”
Inspired by the discussion, the students decided to take action in two ways: by creating handmade greeting cards for wildfire shelter residents and by raising funds to support the Red Cross relief response.
The students took the lead on the project. They requested permission to use church supplies to make the cards and to collect donations throughout the month of March.
Handmade greeting cards created by the youth of First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for LA wildfire shelter residents. Photo submitted.
“Each Sunday in March, the kids took turns speaking to the congregation about the Red Cross’s recovery efforts in Los Angeles,” said Douma. “They didn’t just want to raise money – they also wrote prayers and led the congregation in prayer each week for the people of LA and those involved in the recovery.”
By the end of the month, the students had raised $1,500 – meeting their fundraising goal! They also created more than 125 handmade cards and invited parishioners to add personal messages of encouragement after services.
Youth from First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota hard at work creating hand-made personal greeting cards. Photo submitted.
“These students are amazingly industrious and generous, and we really appreciate their hard work for the children and families that survived the LA wildfires,” said Patti Vaska. “We thank First Presbyterian and their parents for mentoring our next generation to roll up their sleeves and open their hearts at a young age – it’s so beautiful!”
In May, these cards were distributed to wildfire survivors at several Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs), where families could come in for additional resources, support and assistance.
Group photo of the students at the final meeting to reflect on their accomplishments and celebrate the meaningful impact of their service-learning project. Photo submitted.
“I was so moved by the children’s efforts,” said Erica Fausto-Aguado, Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer for Los Angeles. “I’m so impressed and grateful for the generosity of these young people. How compassionate of them to let these survivors know that they are being thought about and haven’t been forgotten.”
After the donations were made and the cards distributed, the students gathered for a final meeting to reflect on their accomplishments and celebrate the project’s impact.
“It was so heartwarming to see our youth learn about people in need and discover ways they could make a difference,” Douma expressed. “I was incredibly impressed by how the entire project came together.”
This marked the fourth year of doing a service-learning project, and it was the first time the students chose to address a disaster in another state. In previous years, their efforts focused on local needs — such as providing food for those facing hunger in their community, creating activity packs for children in the hospital, and assembling “birthday in a bag” kits for children in the foster care system.
“As part of the project, the students discussed the meaning of community and collectively agreed that people across the country, even if geographically distant, are still part of their broader community,” Douma explained. “Motivated by that belief, they were eager to help.”
You can help by giving to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters, big and small. Visit RedCross.org/mndaks, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.
It was the kind of day people in the Midwest wait for all year. Sun overhead, the lake calm, and kids laughing, playing in the water. Jessica Simones was at Gull Lake in Minnesota with her daughter, Jocelyn, and a group of family and friends, soaking in the beauty of summer.
Jessica Simones and daughter Jocelyn share a moment before Snow Ball 2024.
In a moment, everything changed.
Jocelyn was pulled from the water by a friend—unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. Cell phone service at the lake was spotty, adding to the urgency and chaos.
Without waiting for help that might not come in time, Jessica dropped to her knees on the dock.
Years of medical experience kicked in—but so did something deeper. She began CPR, working to bring her daughter back. She eventually revived Jocelyn and continued to monitor her breathing and care as they transported her to the nearest hospital, keeping her safe, warm, and alive.
Jessica had participated in code blue events many times in her previous work at Children’s Hospital. But this time, it was profoundly different.
“Nothing prepares you for doing it on your own child,” she said quietly. “I’ll never get that image out of my head.” Thankfully, Jocelyn has since made a full recovery and is eagerly anticipating her high school graduation. She is also excitedly planning for a future career in medicine at the College of Saint Scholastica in the fall.
Honoring extraordinary personal action
At a recent ceremony held at the Allina Medical Center in Faribault, Minnesota, the American Red Cross honored Jessica with one of its highest awards: the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.
Coworkers pin the official American Red Cross Lifesaving Award pin on Jessica during her recognition ceremony at Allina Clinic, Faribault, Minnesota, April 2025.
“It’s a recognition reserved for those who, in a moment of crisis, step up during an emergency to save or sustain a life,” said Melanie Tschida, Executive Director for the American Red Cross serving Southern Minnesota. “Whether or not they were trained by the Red Cross, their actions reflect our humanitarian mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering.”
“Jessica, this award honors your courage—not just as a nurse, but as a mother,” said Carrie Carlson-Guest, regional communications director. “Your quick thinking and selfless actions made all the difference.”
Why training matters
At the hospital, healthcare workers later shared that just a one-minute delay could have led to a much different outcome for Jocelyn.
Allina teammates celebrated Jessica Simones and her incredible actions at the recognition ceremony held at Allina Clinic, Faribault, Minnesota, April 2025.
Those first moments on the dock—the ones Jessica made count—are why CPR training matters.
The American Red Cross encourages everyone to train for the moments that matter. Visit RedCross.org/MNDAKS to learn more and sign up for a course today.
When disaster strikes, the Red Cross steps in to help — and so do the people behind the mission. Karen Younger, a retired military nurse, college professor and dedicated volunteer with the American Red Cross Eastern South Dakota chapter, is one of those people whose compassionate heart have brought hope to countless individuals in their darkest moments.
Karen’s journey with the Red Cross began in 2013. Since then, she has become a vital leader in Disaster Health Services, bringing her experience in adult and critical care nursing, military service, and higher education to the frontlines of disaster response. Her approach combines clinical expertise with an unwavering commitment to dignity, respect, and service.
Karen Younger pictured with fellow Red Cross volunteers Katie Gilmore and Patti Vaska when they received their Red Cross nursing pins. The three trained together for Disaster Health Services and have remained close friends ever since. Now retired, they continue to stay actively involved with the American Red Cross in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. Also pictured is Tim Klein (far left), an EMT who received his EMT pin during the ceremony. Photo submitted.
A Story of Compassion During Hurricane Helene
When asked to share one of her most memorable moments as a Red Cross nurse, Karen reflects on her deployment during Hurricane Helene.
“It was a chaotic, emotional time for many,” she recalls. “Especially those who turned to Red Cross shelters as a last resort.”
One story, in particular, has stayed with her. A woman arrived at the shelter with young children and a family pet. She was sick, scared, and had no one else to turn to. On top of flu-like symptoms and needing an urgent prescription refilled, she was overwhelmed by the thought of navigating a hospital visit alone and leaving her kids behind.
She asked Karen if she would go to the hospital with her while a social worker watched the children. Karen agreed without hesitation.
At the hospital, Karen acted not just as a nurse, but as a calm and supportive advocate. She helped explain the woman’s medical history to the doctor and ensured her concerns were addressed. “That extra support made all the difference,” Karen said.
When the visit was over, the woman turned to her and said, “You’re a miracle worker.” Karen just smiled and replied, “No, I’m a Red Cross nurse. This is what we do.”
It’s a phrase she’s said many times, because for Karen, helping people through fear, confusion, and uncertainty is more than a duty — it’s a calling.
A National Honor for Outstanding Service
On April 3, 2025, Karen’s exceptional service was recognized on a national stage. During the Leadership Awards Luncheon at the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., she received the Bob Hassmiller Excellence in Disaster Services Award.
Karen Younger at the Leadership Awards Luncheon on April 3, 2025, held at the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Pictured left to right: Trevor Riggins, President of Humanitarian Services, American Red Cross; Karen Younger; Gail McGovern, Chairman of the Board of Governors, American Red Cross; and Cliff Holtz, CEO, American Red Cross. Photo by Dermot Tatlow/American Red Cross
This award celebrates a volunteer who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment, improving disaster response through innovation, collaboration, and impact.
One of her most notable achievements was leading a regional initiative that aligned Red Cross health services with each state’s nursing licensure laws across South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Thanks to her efforts, Red Cross nurses are now able to provide care seamlessly and legally across state lines. This groundbreaking effort not only improved care for disaster survivors in the region but also established a new national model for delivering disaster health services in rural and underserved areas.
Tonya Peterson, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, praised Karen’s work:
“Karen’s work has made a lasting difference – whether she’s helping someone manage a medical condition in the middle of a disaster or mentoring new volunteers stepping into this work for the first time. She doesn’t just show up – she listens, she leads, and she lifts others up.”
Tonya Peterson and Karen Younger at the April 3, 2025, Leadership Awards Luncheon held at the American Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington, DC. Photos by Dermot Tatlow/American Red Cross
As part of the award, a $1,000 grant will be donated to the Red Cross of Eastern South Dakota, further supporting the lifesaving mission that Karen holds so close to her heart.
A Legacy of Service and Humanity
Karen describes her time with the Red Cross as both meaningful and humbling. “I consider it an incredible privilege to be part of the Red Cross,” she says. “When I retired, I wanted to keep using my skills to serve others. The Red Cross has been a perfect fit.”
For Karen, the transition from her nursing career to to the Red Cross was seamless thanks to the shared values of humanity, impartiality and neutrality. “We treat everyone with dignity and respect. That’s what our profession is built on. We don’t engage in the noise, we can stay focused on the mission,” she explains.
She also speaks passionately about the power of teamwork. “There’s real power in doing this work alongside others who share the same purpose. I’ve made lifelong friends and shared unforgettable moments with people I may never see again. But we supported each other, and we knew we were making a difference. That’s incredibly rewarding.”
In Hawaii for the Lahaina fire response, January 2024. Pictured left to right Trisha Mims, then DHS Senior Program Manager, Karen Younger, and Denise Cohen, Client Care Chief for the DRO and a dedicated nurse. Photo submitted.
Congratulations, Karen. Your leadership, heart, and service are an inspiration. Your legacy is already making a lasting impact in communities across the country — and we’re all better for it. Thank you!
Referred to as the ‘clinic,’ the 5th Medical Group (5DG) on Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, offers all kinds of healthcare, including urgent care, routine wellness, internal medicine, women’s health, pediatrics and more, to around 12,000 active-duty military and their family members.
“At one time or another, they all have to be seen,” says the 5DG’s Chief Nurse and Lt. Col. Donna Eaton, who’s also a Red Cross volunteer board member based in Minot. “Some providers see 80 to 100 patients a week.”
Pictured (l to r): Red Cross volunteers Kristin Settersten and Amanda Conte; Red Cross volunteer and First Lieutentant Ashley Manzano-Latorre; 5 MDG Chief Nurse and Lt. Col. Donna Eaton; 5 MDG Nurse and Lt.Col. Jessica Scirica, Red Cross SAF Regional Manager Lorie Herbal and Red Cross Executive Director Zoe Wergeland Manstrom at the 5 Medical Group (5 MDG), Minot Air Force Base, March 19, 2025. Photo: Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross
To help provide care at the clinic, the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region has launched a new volunteer program to the 5DG’s clinic. Three new volunteers – two of whom are licensed nurses – will help tend to patients just like regular nurses, or they will support projects, depending on their availability.
Take First Lieutenant Ashley Manzano-Latorre, an active-duty missileer who’s making time to volunteer. She helped to provide disaster relief during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. “I like helping people,” she says. In addition to her career in the Air Force, Ashley plans to build on her education, training, and interest in healthcare.
Amanda Conte, also a new Red Cross volunteer, has a spouse who’s deployed to MAFB, which is home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing. She’s likely to have a role at the clinic in supporting pediatrics based on her professional nursing experience. “I want to keep up with my nursing skills and help out the military, be involved,” she says.
Support for the US military dates back to when American Red Cross founder Clara Barton tended to the ill and injured during the Civil War.
“Our Military Treatment Facility program is a continuation of that tradition,” says Lorie Herbel, Regional Manager of Service to the Armed Forces for the Red Cross in North Dakota. Two years in the making, she says, “We’re really happy to see this program come together at Minot Air Force Base. We’re thankful for everyone working together to help meet patient and clinic needs.”
Kristin Settersten
First Lieutenant Ashley Manzano-Latorre
Amanda Conte
The volunteer experience will be tailored, making it possible for them to do all kinds of things, including health promotion and prevention, says Lt. Col. and nurse Jessica Scirica. “I’ve been doing education and training for a very long time. It’s vital that we have a good relationship with the American Red Cross.”
Now that the new volunteers are through the screening, orientation and overall warm welcome, which was hosted at the base in March, the volunteers will have additional training at the clinic. With her years of experience in family medicine and women’s health, Kristin Settersten is eager for her assignment. “I always wanted to volunteer.”
For more about Red Cross services for military members, their families and veterans, click here. To learn about volunteer opportunities in the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, click here. To read more about our MTF program at Ellsworth AFB, click here.
Story and photos by Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region 