Tag: volunteers

Caring for Our Neighbors After the Skyline Tower Fire 

 
When a fire and power outage forced more than a thousand residents from Skyline Tower in St. Paul on October 25–26, the American Red Cross moved quickly to help. Within hours, volunteers were working alongside the City of St. Paul, CommonBond Communities, The Salvation Army, and other partners to make sure everyone had a safe place to stay, warm meals to eat, and someone to turn to for comfort and care. 

Local Red Cross volunteers Todd Johnson and Marilyn Birk serve meals to families impacted by the fire and power outage at Skyline Tower in St. Paul, Minn.
Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross.

Every day since, responders have been connecting with residents as they recover across the Twin Cities, offering meals, listening to concerns, and finding ways to meet each person’s needs with dignity. Behind the scenes, volunteers have coordinated food deliveries, managed logistics, and worked hand in hand with community partners to keep things running smoothly. 

More than 70 trained Red Cross responders, most of them volunteers from across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, have come together to support this response, each bringing compassion, skill, and heart to the work. 

“We know the people need the help, and the Red Cross has the partnerships and the means to be able to provide that,” said Todd Johnson, a volunteer helping provide meals. So far, Red Cross teams have provided more than 4,100 (as of 11/3) warm meals and thousands of snacks with help from The Salvation Army and local partners. “This is the heart of what we do.”  

Jeff Thelen and Matt Bellin, two of more than 70 Red Cross responders, help unload food to be served to residents affected by the Skyline Tower fire and power outage.
Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross.

Health and mental health volunteers are helping replace lost prescriptions, check on medical concerns, and offer a listening ear. “A lot of our services revolve around helping them with that first small step. It might be just someone to help them get their medications replaced and that’s one less thing for them to have to worry about,” said Rick Larkin, who is leading Disaster Health Services. “But we also have disaster mental health volunteers, because this is super stressful for people. It’s a friendly ear; it’s a reassurance that recovery will begin soon.” 

The Red Cross continues to work closely with cultural and community organizations to ensure services honor the diverse languages, traditions, and nourishment needs of Skyline Tower residents. Every act of kindness, whether it’s a shared meal, a gentle conversation, or a moment of rest, reflects the spirit of partnership that has defined this response. 

“This is one of the largest responses our region has supported,” said Brice Johnson, CEO for the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region. “But more than that, it’s a reminder of what can happen when neighbors come together to care for one another.”  

As parts of Skyline Tower reopen, residents are beginning to return home. “We’ll be here,” said Johnson. “In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll stand alongside residents, helping meet immediate needs, supporting them as they rebuild a sense of stability, and offering resources and reassurance that things will get better.” 

How You Can Help 

Support Disaster Relief. Every day, disasters like this remind us how quickly life can change and how powerful compassion can be. The Red Cross helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies large and small. 

You can make a difference. Visit RedCross.org ,call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a financial donation. 

An average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend goes toward providing care and comfort for those in need. 

Put on a red vest and join us. Visit RedCross.org/GiveTime to learn how you can support your community. For disasters big and small, Red Cross volunteers provide comfort on what can be the hardest days of people’s lives. 

Leading with Purpose: Meet Makayla Anderson, Red Cross Youth Powerhouse 

When Makayla Anderson first applied to volunteer with the Red Cross, she was 14 years old, shy, and just starting high school. A phone call with a Volunteer Services screener turned into a life-shaping conversation—one that set her on a path she never expected. “I wasn’t sure I could help because of my age and little experience,” Makayla recalls. “But he said, ‘I believe in you and you will go far.’ That moment meant everything.” 

And go far, she has. 

Over the last four years, Makayla has become a driving force in youth engagement with the Red Cross—founding a club at her virtual high school, starting the region’s Youth and Young Adult Council (YAYAC), and stepping into national roles including her current position as a Youth Action Campaign (YAC) Intern with the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) team. Along the way, she’s brought creativity, courage, and compassion into everything she does. 

Makayla pictured with fellow members of the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakota’s Youth and Young Adult Council (YAYAC). Pictured left to right: Erik, Jay, Joel, Makayla, Shaivi and Alan (not pictured Nuna and Dawson). Photo submitted.

Finding Her Voice Through Service

Makayla’s journey began with behind-the-scenes support in Volunteer Services—working in Volunteer Connection and helping screen new volunteers. She gradually took on more responsibility, eventually creating her own Red Cross club at school and joining the IHL Youth Action Campaign. That’s when things clicked. 

“I never thought I was really interested in law,” she says. “But hearing from speakers at the national YAC Summit and working 1-on-1 with Red Cross staff opened my eyes to a new way of leadership.” 

It was also where she learned how to blend purpose and creativity—skills that came to life in her standout YAC project: a virtual art show on the theme of nuclear conflict. As a lifelong artist, Makayla leaned into her passions and invited others to explore difficult topics through visual expression. The show reached across the globe—from Minnesota to Dubai—and included an educational presentation on IHL and the role of art in activism. 

Makayla’s engagement on social media plays a key role in promoting the activities and programs of the region’s Youth and Young Adult Council (YAYAC).


Creating Change, One Youth at a Time 

After seeing the difference youth leaders were making in other regions, Makayla realized her own region was missing a critical piece: a strong network for youth engagement. Rather than waiting for someone else to fill that gap, she helped build the Minnesota and Dakotas Youth and Young Adult Council (YAYAC) from the ground up.  

“I don’t think it has too much to do with how confident you are with yourself,” she reflects. “It’s about your ability to take action and how well you understand the steps it takes. If you care enough about something, you just start eating it a bite at a time.” 

She’s now leading the council with big goals: to grow awareness, host engaging events, and make sure the youth voice is part of Red Cross decisions across departments. 

Wisdom Beyond Her Years

Makayla has also faced her share of challenges—especially working in adult-dominated spaces. “The biggest thing to remember is to listen and learn,” she says. “You don’t need to be the loudest in the room to make an impact.” 

She’s found guidance in mentors like Mark Giammona, Ashley Sheehy, and Tracy Elder, and credits them with shaping both her leadership style and her vision for the future. “I’m a Nursing Assistant now,” she says, “but I have high hopes of getting a job with the Red Cross in IHL one day. This work brings me a sense of fulfillment I haven’t found anywhere else.” 

Makayla pictured with one of her mentors Mark Giammona, Volunteer Engagement for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, whose guidance has helped shape her leadership style and inspired her vision for the future

Fueling Her Fire

While much of her free time goes toward volunteering, Makayla still makes time for creative pursuits. She’s a published poet and an avid dog walker, often spotted strolling around town with her pups. “This is my fun!” she laughs. 

And when it comes to advice for other youth thinking about getting involved, her message is clear:  

“Find your passion, run toward it, and don’t take no for an answer. There will be slammed doors and setbacks but remember who you are and why you started.”

Learn more about youth like Makayla making a difference at Red Cross IHL Youth Action Campaign. 

Want to learn more about International Humanitarian Law through the lens of pop culture? Check out our IHL YouTube channel and explore the rules of war through Andor, Star Wars, Saving Private Ryan, Ghostbusters, House of the Dragon, and Godzilla. 

The Heart Behind the Help: Diane’s Story

Disaster response volunteer honored with regional Lifetime Achievement Award

In the small, scenic city of Redwood Falls, Minnesota – a place rooted in community – lives a woman whose quiet strength and unwavering compassion have rippled far beyond city limits. Her name is Diane – a Red Cross volunteer.

For 20 years, Diane Radel has been a steadfast presence in moments of crisis. From the wreckage of Hurricane Harvey to the fierce winds of Hurricane Ian, from catastrophic flooding in Louisiana, she has deployed to 18 national disasters. Closer to home, she’s responded to apartment fires and local disasters, always showing up when her community needs her most.

Diane on the ground during one of her many disaster deployments over the past 20 years — a testament to her decades of service and resilience.
Photo submitted.

Her roles have varied – driving Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) to deliver warm meals, comforting survivors in emergency shelters, and distributing supplies to families facing unimaginable loss. But no matter the task, Diane brought more than resources – she brought hope, dignity, and a calming presence in moments of chaos.

A Calling Found in Crisis

Diane’s journey with the Red Cross began with a single image – a newspaper photo of volunteers in iconic red vests responding to a tornado in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, in 2003. She didn’t know it then, but the image planted a seed.

In 2005, when Diane’s father passed away, she found her daily routine unraveled. “I was a lost pup,” she remembers. “I didn’t know what to do.”

Then came the call for volunteers after Hurricane Katrina. “They said it was a three-week deployment, all expenses paid,” Diane recalls. “I had the time. Although I had seven kids, three in college – it just lit a fire in me.”

Diane, wearing her Red Cross vest, stands with clean-up kits ready for distribution during a disaster deployment — one of many in her years of dedicated service. Photo submitted.

After speaking with fellow Red Cross volunteer Barb Billmeier, Diane took the leap. “It was the first time I’d ever been away from home that long,” she says. But her husband and children encouraged her, saying, “Go…they need you more than we do.”

With compassion as her guide, Diane stepped into the role of caring for people finding refuge in a Red Cross shelter helping those who had lost everything. That first deployment marked the beginning of a journey that has spanned two decades.

Service Across the Nation

Diane’s volunteer work took her to disaster zones across the U.S., including a Thanksgiving spent helping in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in New York. “I thought I should be home with my family, but I just felt I needed to go and help,” she remembers, “but once again, they said, ‘Go…they need you more than we do.’”

One unforgettable memory from that deployment was delivering meals in the ERV to a high-rise in Chinatown that had lost power. “We didn’t serve the meals directly – we dropped them off. While waiting to pick up the food containers, Diane and fellow volunteers took a walking tour near Ground Zero, witnessing the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. “It was humbling,” she said. “A moment of grace in a difficult time.”

Diane also mentions her deployment to help those affected by Hurricane Helene last fall. She remembers the mountainous terrain and survivors still waiting for word on missing neighbors. “Someone said we needed to be strong for them – but no, we cried with them,” she recalls.

Diane, photographed near Asheville, North Carolina, during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in October 2024. Photo submitted.

A Life of Service

When asked what she’d say to someone considering volunteering with the Red Cross, Diane doesn’t hesitate. “Do it! It’s rewarding. Your heart has to be in it but give it a try. You’ll get way more back than you ever give.”

She speaks honestly about the challenges – long days, sleeping on cots, working with all kinds of people – but insists the rewards are worth it. “Any time you volunteer, it’s a blessing.”

Strength In the Face of Her Own Storm

In 2018, Diane faced a new battle: breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and five years of treatment, she was declared cancer-free – until last year.

In November, scans revealed cancer had returned, spreading to her spine and lymph nodes.

“There’s no timeframe,” she says softly. “It wasn’t supposed to happen.”

Though her body has slowed, and she can no longer donate blood – once a treasured part of her Red Cross work – her spirit remains unshaken. “My heart is still in it, even if my body isn’t.”

A Lifetime of Meaning

Diane was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Red Cross. She recalls, “As they were reading the award, I thought, wow, that sounds really good and then I realized, they were talking about me!”

Diane receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Red Cross, presented by Sean Farley-Cowdin, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager, at the Volunteer Recognition Event in Mankato, MN on May 20, 2025. A proud moment honoring years of dedicated service and compassion.

Sean Farley-Cowdin, Senior Community Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region presented Diane with the award. “When the need is most, Diane doesn’t hesitate – she simply shows up. From the very beginning, with more than enough on her plate she had every reason to say, ‘not now,’ but she didn’t – she leaned in. She said yes. Yes, to her community. Yes, to the mission. Yes, to strangers facing the hardest day of their lives. Because for Diane, helping isn’t a duty – it’s who she is.”

Looking back, she says, “The years just flew by.” Each deployment forged lifelong friendship. “It all felt so natural – it’s my passion and what I was always meant to do.”

To serve with such compassion for 20 years requires an extraordinary heart. Diane’s legacy lives on in every life she’s touched – not through fanfare, but through quiet heroism, deep empathy and human connection.

Her story reminds us that true service comes from love – and a heart that never stops giving.

“The forecast is predicting a severe hurricane season this year,” she says, “I wish I could be there to help – it’s in my heart.”

For all who know her, one thing is certain: the world is better because Diane chose to help – again and again – with love, conviction, and a full heart.

If you have a heart to help like Diane, learn about Red Cross volunteer opportunities near you visit redcross.org/givetime.

“This Is Just What We Do” – Red Cross Nurse Receives National Recognition for Exceptional Disaster Response Leadership

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!

✨ HERO SPOTLIGHT! ✨ Amber Lawrence Honored with Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Heroic Rescue

On January 7, 2025, we were thrilled to honor Amber Lawrence with the prestigious Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, one of the highest accolades from the American Red Cross. This award recognizes individuals who save or sustain lives using skills gained through Red Cross Training Services.

Brice Johnson, Regional CEO of the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, proudly presents Amber Lawrence with the Lifesaving Award, recognizing her heroic actions in saving a life through her Red Cross training. Photo: America Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

On August 8, 2024, at the Andover YMCA, Amber’s Red Cross training in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid was put to the ultimate test. While on duty, Amber witnessed a stroller with an infant strapped inside accidentally roll into the deep end of the lap pool. Without hesitation, Amber dove into action, jumping into the water and lifting the stroller just high enough for the baby’s head to break the surface. The infant cried out, and with the help of bystanders, both the child and stroller were safely pulled from the water.

Brice Johnson, regional CEO for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, praised Amber’s heroic actions, stating, “We are immensely proud to present the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to Amber. Her actions embody our commitment to enabling people to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.”

Amber Lawrence, honored with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award, stands by the pool where her quick thinking and Red Cross training saved an infant’s life. Her heroic actions exemplify the power of preparedness and courage in emergency situations.

Amber, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin River Falls studying Psychology, has been passionate about swimming since she was three years old. She earned her lifeguard certification in 2021 and now works as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Hudson, Wisconsin, balancing her duties with her academic commitments.

YMCA of the North’s aquatics team congratulate Amber Lawrence on her prestigious award. Photo: American/Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

Reflecting on the event, Amber shared, “It was scary. I am grateful for my Red Cross training, which gave me the confidence to handle the situation. My heart was relieved, and I was happy as soon as the child was safe.”

Amber Lawrence, receiving a big congratulatory hug from her grandfather at the Lifesaving Award presentation on January 7, 2025. Photo: American Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

Let’s all take a moment to recognize Amber for this heroic accomplishment! 👏

Inspired by Amber’s story? Empower yourself with lifesaving skills by enrolling in a Red Cross training course today! Find a class near you: Red Cross Training ▶️

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them for a Lifesaving Award and help us honor their courage. Learn more about the awards: Red Cross Lifesaving Awards ▶️

A dynamic mother/daughter duo: Jennie and Jezzalyn Ringler deliver hope as Red Cross ERV team

Among the many roles that volunteers can fill on a Red Cross mission, one of the most rewarding is that of the ERV Driver. These teams, which often consist of two individuals, drive Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles and deliver food from community feeding partners to points of distribution after a disaster so that displaced families can pick up a hot meal.

Jennie and Jezzalyn Ringler serve up meals from the ERV in Asheville, North Carolina.
(Photo: Nate Russell)

This crucial role helps individuals and families feel a semblance of comfort and normalcy so that they have the energy needed to plan their next steps towards recovering from a disaster.

Often this role is filled by married couples, sometimes by strangers who become friends over the course of their mission, but very rarely do we see a team that consists of a parent and child. Jennie and Jezzalyn Ringler from central Minnesota are one such dynamic duo!

This is Jezzalyn’s first deployment as a Red Cross volunteer, “I don’t think she’s sick of me yet!” remarked her mother Jennie.

Jennie and Jezzalyn starting out their deployment journey at the airport. (Photo submitted)

This is not Jennie’s first deployment, she’s been an ERV driver since about 2011. She loves working on a team “You get a groove going and you can keep it that way.”

Jezzalyn says her favorite part of being on an ERV Team is the people and the stories. “We’ve got regulars, we see them every day. We get to hear about their lives, about their recovery. Many of them are military veterans.”

Mother/daughter duo work hand-in-hand serving meals to those affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo: Nate Russell)

The Ringlers’ ERV is parked at the Buncombe County Sports Park, at one of our Community Care Centers. Here, hurricane impacted individuals and families can do their laundry, take a shower, pick up supplies such as jugs of potable water, and of course pick up a hot meal. “We’ve served close to 100 meals today,” says Jezzalyn.

Visit here to find a Community Care Center and other resources.

Story by American Red Cross volunteer Nate Russell.

Heroes on the Ground – Communities Respond to Flooding

Recent flooding in Minnesota and South Dakota has brought communities together in an extraordinary way. Community volunteers and partners have stepped up and joined forces with our Red Cross team to provide critical aid and support for those affected by this devastating disaster.

Red Cross volunteers Katie Kaz and Diane Dunder have been pivotal in the response efforts in Cook, Minnesota. They have been working closely with St. Louis County Public Health. Even a local farmer named Missy showed up at the onset of the flooding ready to help. She has since become a key figure in coordinating resources, including services for residents and donated items from the Lions Club and Red Cross cleanup kits.

Missy, Diane, Katie and Cheryl at the Cook Fire Hall, June 25, 2024. Photo credit: Owen Fifield, American Red Cross.

In one of the most touching moments, the group was seen looking at maps together to identify flooded areas and homes in need of assistance. Their dedication is evident as they strategize the best ways to help their community recover.

Acts of Gratitude
The spirit of gratitude is felt by many of the people affected by the floods. One family, immensely thankful for the support they received, made an oversized thank you card and gave it to our volunteers and partners at the Cook Fire Hall. This thoughtful gesture underscores the profound impact the Red Cross and our partners are making in these communities.

Missy, Cheryl and Katie at the Cook Fire Hall. Photo credit: Owen Fifield, American Red Cross.

Behind the Scenes
Dave Snetsinger, the assistant director of operations for this Red Cross response, is working tirelessly from his temporary office in the Cook Fire Hall. Dave has been coordinating efforts to ensure that every community gets the help it needs. From organizing emergency relief supplies to managing volunteer deployments, his work is crucial in this relief effort.

Dave Snetsinger, City of Cook, June 25, 2024. Photo credit: Owen Fifield, American Red Cross.

Community Support
The Red Cross cannot do this alone. Multiple local organizations have come together to help. The Cook Fire Department for example, made its fire hall available for distribution of relief supplies. The Salvation Army has made sure people have meals and other relief essentials. Trinity Lutheran Church, the Lion’s Club, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department, St. Louis County Emergency Management, Minnesota HSEM and the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, have all contributed to the relief efforts.

How You Can Help
We need your help to continue supporting those affected by the flooding:

Volunteer
Many people have expressed a desire to volunteer, and we are incredibly grateful for your offers. Currently, our trained Red Cross volunteers are handling the immediate response. However, you can still help by becoming a trained volunteer as we are experiencing more frequent and intense disasters. To learn more, visit RedCross.org/GiveTime.

Donate
Please click, text or call to support Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit RedCross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your contributions will help us provide essential resources to those in need.

Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to
make a $10 donation.

Donate Blood
Floods often lead to the cancellation of blood drives, impacting the nation’s blood supply. If you are in an area not affected by the disaster, please consider donating blood. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Thank you!
The Red Cross remains committed to helping families and communities recover from this disaster. We are in constant contact with local officials to evaluate the needs of residents and coordinate additional resources.

By coming together, we can help those affected by the flooding rebuild their lives and communities. Thank you for your support.

If You Need Help
Please visit redcross.org/mndaks and click “Get Help,” or you can call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Celebrating 80+ Years of Service

We want to give a super-glorious shout-out to our volunteers Dolly and Phyllis! Based in our Minnesota and Dakotas region, their work as blood program leaders has helped thousands of patients.

“How far back would you like to go?,” said Phyllis when asked about her service that started with going door-to-door to recruit blood donors in the late 1960s.

Dolly began around 30 years ago when a friend asked her to call donors for upcoming drives. “Then I had a neighbor with leukemia who needed a blood transfusion,” she said.

Their efforts are focused on three, 3-day drives held every year in the City of Fergus Falls in west-central Minnesota. These nine drives collect on average more than 500 units of lifesaving blood.

We could not be more grateful for this remarkable volunteer duo or more proud of their 80+ years of combined service. Still going strong: their next drive will be in September.

Thank you, Dolly and Phyllis, for being exceptional humanitarians and supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross.

Thankful for Red Cross, thankful for each other

Two volunteers begin anew together after meeting on disaster deployment

Few people can say they met their beloved while helping people seeking refuge from a wildfire. Among them are Danielle Rodgers and Rod Winters – two American Red Cross volunteers.

They met in 2018 during one of the worst years for wildfires in California’s recent history. That year the Red Cross responded to multiple wildfires in the West.

Red Cross volunteers Rod and Danielle.

Danielle was new to the Red Cross. She’d just left her professional nursing role after 27 years when she got the call for her first major disaster relief deployment.

Rod was an experienced volunteer who was called to deploy in his regular role managing shelter relief for people displaced during disasters.

Both were sent from separate and distant states to the California mountain town of Weaverville – the “belly of the beast” as Danielle describes it – to help people affected by the Carr Fire. There, they met for the first time at the co-ed shelter for disaster responders.

“I just thought he was a really nice guy,” Danielle says upon reflection.

She’s referring to his exceptional ability to focus on people – strangers from all walks of life – who need help during some of the most difficult days of their lives. “I just couldn’t imagine where people like him came from.”

The Seattle area, it turned out, and known for asking shelter workers, especially those facing the powerful experience of their first national deployment, ‘why are you here?’.

Weaverville, California, where Red Cross had a shelter for people seeking refuge during the 2018 Carr Fire evacuations.

“Deployment can be extremely uncomfortable, rough conditions, hard,” Rod says now and said, in similar words, then. “Did you come here to take care of people? Focus on the purpose – be clear on your own motivation – deal with some hardship.”

He provided insight and context that helped Danielle navigate an intensity of situation many, including an experienced nurse, could find challenging their personal grit and resiliency.

“The first couple of days are always – be cool, deal with the first couple days until you get your assignment – then things settle out. Thankfully she stayed,” he says.

Their Weaverville deployments came to end. “We both went home and went about our lives,” she says.

“It just kind of deepens as you go along,” says Rod. “It was a fortunate meeting for us. I’m very lucky to have this wonderful woman.”

Danielle and Rod in Weaverville, CA, for their wedding ceremony.

This year they married. For their wedding, they returned to Weaverville and had a small ceremony at Trinity High School, which gave them use of a courtyard, chairs and a table. “It was perfect,” says Danielle. When friends and family asked, ‘why there’, she told them about the impact the town had on them and the perspective it provided.

While there for their wedding, two wildfires started raging. Roads were blocked just like the year they met. “It was difficult to see and hear,” Danielle remembers.

They didn’t have their Red Cross responder gear. But if they’d had it, it’s likely they’d have turned their celebration into doing everything towards alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies.

Story by Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross. Photos provided by Danielle and Rod.

Cis Big Crow Recognized for 20 Years of Red Cross Service

Cis Big Crow (center) is the 2021 Volunteer of the Year for the American Red Cross serving Central and Western South Dakota.

Volunteering comes naturally to Cis Big Crow, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and an American Red Cross volunteer. “I guess volunteering just grew on me. And I didn’t realize how many years I was with the Red Cross,” she says.

Since 1999, when a deadly tornado struck the Pine Ridge Reservation, Big Crow has been a Red Cross volunteer assisting reservation residents affected by tornados, storms, floods and other natural disasters. She has helped Tribal members reach critical aid, assisting them with filling out emergency forms and connecting them with housing, food and other types of disaster relief.

Big Crow works in the Oglala Sioux President’s Office, which previously was the place people called when there was an emergency on the reservation, such as a house fire. The Tribe now has a dedicated emergency management team, she says. But Big Crow is still the point person people call when they need help when disasters happen. She ensures they get in touch with Tribal emergency management and the Red Cross.

In the past, Big Crow has filled a variety of roles during Red Cross disaster responses, such as setting up temporary shelters, preparing meals for people and finding temporary housing for them. During the past twenty-plus years, she’s become an essential disaster action team member for the Red Cross in South Dakota, responding to an estimated 300 local disasters.

Big Crow is the 2021 Volunteer of the Year for the American Red Cross serving Central and Western South Dakota. 

“Cis has been an exceptional volunteer,” says Richard Smith, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Central and Western South Dakota. “Cis is always positive and upbeat, even in difficult situations. Her guidance in working with the Oglala Sioux people and the Tribal council is invaluable.”

Big Crow has no plans to stop . Asked what keeps her going, Big Crow said she finds joy in assisting people in need. “You’re out there to help people,” she says.

New volunteers are always needed, especially with busy disaster seasons happening more frequently. People interested in applying for local opportunities should visit redcross.org/mndaks.

Story by Blair Emerson/American Red Cross