One year after the Southern California Wildfires, Families are still on the road to recovery

Cliff Holtz, President, American Red Cross recently posted on LinkedIn:

I was on my way to Los Angeles to visit our teams during the wildfire response when I stopped for gas. I was wearing my Red Cross jacket, and a man approached me with his wallet in his hand. He proceeded to hand me almost all the money he had on him and said he wanted to buy me lunch as a thank you for all the Red Cross was doing in LA. I thanked him, but told him I didn’t need lunch and that he should keep his money. He shook his head and pressed the dollars into my hand anyway. That money went straight to the Red Cross response efforts. This incredibly generous gesture reminded me of the kindness we extend to one another even in the toughest moments.

As the Los Angeles community continues on its long path to recovery, they are not alone, we are still there helping– one step at a time. I’m grateful to our teams, our volunteers, our partners and to the everyday heroes who remind us why this work matters.

A few stories of those we have helped along the way

It’s been one year since destructive wildfires swept through Southern California, destroying hundreds of homes and upending lives across the region.

Thanks to the joint efforts of hundreds of volunteers, generous financial donors, and dedicated community partners, the Red Cross reached about 178,000 people with relief and recovery services, including over $51 million in financial assistance; served more than 188,500 meals and snacks; and provided nearly 21,000 overnight shelter stays. 

Families are still on the road to recovery. These are just a few of the people we're honored to have helped along the way:

• Christine, a single mom, widow and former Red Cross donor, lost everything in the fire, including her late husband’s artwork. She shut down emotionally until a Red Cross caseworker reached out. With financial assistance, she was able to replace essentials like pajamas, toothpaste and personal items for her son and their dog. Months later, she received additional financial support. “This is why [the Red Cross] is so special,” she said. “You make the process not just human and kind, but easy.”

• Robert and his wife lost everything they owned in the fire. Now in their 90s, and with Robert’s wife living with Alzheimer’s, they used part of their Red Cross financial assistance to buy an Alexa device so she could fill their new home with familiar music.

• Debbie Miller grabbed as many treasured photos as she could before fleeing her Altadena home. At a Red Cross Disaster Resource Center in Pasadena, she received water, blankets and financial assistance to help plan her next steps. “I’m grateful for the Red Cross assistance,” she said. “I can rebuild again, and I’m just so glad I saved these memories. They mean so much to me.”

• Francoise Mira and her dog, Puff, were among the thousands who evacuated. They spent several days in a Red Cross shelter, where they received food, comfort and other support, and Francoise was able to refill her prescription. “Having my little dog, Puff, with me here at the shelter meant everything,” she said.

• Vincent and Virginia Robbins evacuated their Altadena home with only what they could fit in their car. Vincent, an artist, lost his life’s work in the fire. They’re using Red Cross financial assistance to rebuild and purchase art supplies so he can continue creating. “It is beyond what we would have expected,” Virginia said. “We don’t have to be so scared and frantic. We’ve got support.”

LinkedIn Page for American Red Cross Alumni Network:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-red-cross-alumni-network/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true