“Después de perderlo todo en el incendio, La Cruz Roja Americana se volvieron mis ángeles.”

Para Gabriela, su hija de 5 años y su hermano, era un día rutinario, hasta que dejó de serlo. “Estaba en el trabajo cuando mi hermano me llamó para que me apresurara a volver a casa porque nuestro edificio de apartamentos estaba en llamas y estábamos perdiendo todas nuestras cosas. Las horas y los días siguientes, mi cabeza estaba nublada y no podía entender qué tenía que hacer a continuación y cómo empezar de nuevo”.

Perder su casa en un incendio no es sólo la pérdida del lugar donde vive, su lugar de comodidad y seguridad, sino también la pérdida de tantas cosas de valor como fotografías, documentos, objetos preciados y la pérdida de la rutina conocida.

Gabriela recuerda: “Nunca en un millón de años imaginé la posibilidad de sufrir un incendio en mi hogar. Cuando veia cómo el edificio ardía en llamas, pensé: ‘Bueno, ¿y ahora qué? Estamos en la calle, sin hogar, ¿qué vamos a hacer? a donde vamos a ir ¿ Y lo más importante, ¿cómo iba a explicarle esta tremenda pérdida a mi hija que afortunadamente estaba en la guardería en ese momento? No sabía qué hacer a continuación y mucho menos pensar en las palabras que necesitaba usar para asegurarle que íbamos a estar bien”.

Durante las siguientes semanas después del incendio, Gabriela y algunos de sus vecinos encontraron refugio en un refugio de la Cruz Roja y Gabriela recuerda: “En el refugio, mi hija se aclimató muy bien gracias a los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja. Cada voluntario que conocimos nos trató con mucha amabilidad y compasión. A mi hija, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja le proporcionaron juguetes de peluche y materiales para colorear, se tomaron el tiempo para sentarse con ella a dibujar y colgar sus obras de arte en el refugio. Mi hija entendió que lo habíamos perdido todo, pero el cuidado y la amabilidad de los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja lograron que ella no sintiera la pérdida tan inmensamente. Por eso, estoy eternamente agradecido”.

“No puedo decirlo de otra manera: los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja fueron ángeles que en cuestión de horas reemplazaron los medicamentos de mi hija y localizaron un lugar seguro para que nos quedáramos, luego durante días nos cuidaron las 24 horas del día y se aseguraron de que estábamos bien”.

Los voluntarios son el alma de la Cruz Roja y representan el 90% de la fuerza laboral. Después de un incendio doméstico, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja trabajan con los departamentos de bomberos locales para conectarse con las familias impactadas para brindarles servicios como alojamiento de emergencia, asistencia financiera y apoyo emocional.

“Mientras estaba afuera del edificio en llamas, sin saber a quién llamar para pedir ayuda, apareció la Cruz Roja. Gracias a la Cruz Roja, tuvimos refugio seguro, comidas, asistencia financiera, atención espiritual, asistencia para la recuperación, servicios de salud y mucho más. Con su apoyo, pude aclarar mi mente y ponerme a trabajar en la recuperación para poder hacer que mi familia volviera a la rutina que conocíamos”.

La Cruz Roja responde a 60.000 desastres al año, y la gran mayoría de ellos son incendios domésticos. A través de desastres grandes y pequeños, los voluntarios están listos para responder al llamado de ayuda para proporcionar alimentos, refugio, suministros de socorro, consuelo, planificación de recuperación y otra asistencia para ayudar a las personas en su momento de mayor necesidad.

“Las palabras más dulces de mi hija cuando nos mudamos a nuestro nuevo apartamento: ‘¡Tenemos un hogar otra vez!’ Un nuevo hogar, un nuevo comienzo, todo gracias a La Cruz Roja. Ahora hago una donación a la Cruz Roja porque sé lo que significa que alguien aparezca después de una pérdida devastadora y le den la mano a uno. Mi deseo es que otros también contribuyan porque cada poquito hace una diferencia muy significativa durante uno de los momentos mas obscuros de la vida”.

Aprenda cómo puede ser voluntario o donar en https://www.redcross.org/local/illinois/volunteer/Voluntario.html

Escrito por Connie Esparza, Gerente de Comunicaciones

“After losing it all in a building fire, the Red Cross became my guiding angels.”

For Gabriela, her 5-year-old daughter, and brother, it was a routine day – until it wasn’t. “I was at work when my brother called me to hurry home because our apartment building was on fire, and we were losing all our things. The hours and days after, my head was cloudy, and I couldn’t grasp what I needed to do next and how to get started.”

Losing your home in a fire is not only the loss of the place where you live, your place of comfort and safety, but it’s also the loss of so many things of value such as photos, documents, treasured objects, and the loss of the routine you knew.

Gabriela recalls, “Never in a million years did I ever imagine the possibility of experiencing a home fire. When I stood there and watched the building going up in flames, I thought to myself, ‘Well – now what? We’re on the street, with no home — what are we going to do? Where are we going to go? And most importantly, how was I going to explain this tremendous loss to my daughter who thankfully was in daycare at that time. I didn’t know what to do next much less think of the words I needed to use to reassure her that we were going to be okay.”

For the next couple of weeks following the fire, Gabriela and some of her neighbors found refuge at a Red Cross shelter and Gabriela remembers, “At the shelter, my daughter acclimated so well because of the Red Cross volunteers. Every volunteer we met treated us with so much kindness and compassion. To my daughter, Red Cross volunteers provided stuffed animals and coloring supplies, they took time to sit down with her to draw and hang up her artwork around the shelter. My daughter understood we had lost everything, but the care and kindness of the Red Cross volunteers made it so that she didn’t feel the loss too immensely. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”

“I can’t say it any other way – the Red Cross volunteers were angels who in a matter of hours replaced my daughter’s medications and located a safe place for us to stay, then for days watched over us 24 hours a day and made sure we were okay.”

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross and comprise 90% of the workforce. After a home fire, Red Cross volunteers work with local fire departments to connect with families for needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance and emotional support.

“As I stood outside of the burning building, not knowing who to call for help, the Red Cross showed up to lend a hand. Because of the Red Cross, we had safe shelter, meals, financial assistance, spiritual care, recovery assistance, health services, and so much more. With their guidance, I was able to clear my head and get to work with recovery so I could get my family back to the routine we knew.”

The Red Cross responds to 60,000 disasters a year — and the vast majority of these are home fires. Through disasters big and small, volunteers stand ready to answer the call for help to provide food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, recovery planning and other assistance to help people in their time of greatest need.

“The sweetest words from my daughter when we moved into our new apartment, ‘We have a home again!’ A new home, a new start, all because of the guidance of the patient and generous Red Cross volunteers. I donate to the Red Cross now because I know what it means to have someone show up after a devastating loss. My wish is that others chip in too because every little bit makes such a significant difference during one of the worst moments in one’s life.”

Learn how you can volunteer or donate at redcross.org.

Written by Connie Esparza, Communications Manager

Staff Spotlight: Jamie Beaver set to retire after nearly two decades of helping those in need

After countless responses to a variety of disasters over nearly two decades of service to her community and those in need, Disaster Program Manager Jamie Beaver has announced her retirement from the American Red Cross. 

Jamie began working with the Red Cross in 2004, originally covering one county and helping support many lines of service including Disaster, Health and Safety, S.A.F. and Blood Services. 

“You used to just do all lines or service and handle everything,” Jamie said. “When you went out to a fire call, it used to all be done on paper. I used to go out to the scene, interview the family, give them money, do the review and really do everything.” 

Before joining the Red Cross, Jamie already had a background working in the disaster field as she volunteered for and was eventually hired to work with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. 

Through her work with IEMA, Jamie saw the work that the Red Cross performs during a disaster and eventually was offered a position to join the organization. 

Over her years with the Red Cross, Jamie stated that she has seen the disaster process grow to become much more efficient in how cases are handled. 

“Now it’s so much better,” Jamie said. “We have teams. We have a sheltering team and others where if you start to get overwhelmed, you call and the team kicks. There has been so many changes.” 

While Jamie’s focus quickly was homed in on disaster work, her responsibilities continued to grow as she saw her coverage area grow to four counties, then seven and eventually 31 in the South Central Illinois Chapter. 

In her disaster work, Jamie believes that one of her biggest strengths has been her willingness and ability to work with other organizations and partners throughout the community. 

This cooperation was recognized by her peers when she was awarded the Collaboration Award during the annual Five C’s Awards. 

“I think I just fell into a really good rhythm and established those relationships,” Jamie said. “These people have become my friends, and I just didn’t want to do anything else besides disaster. I never felt the pull to do anything else.” 

Her familiarity in the disaster field also helped Jamie work alongside many dedicated volunteers, many whom she considers dear friends of hers. 

“This is a volunteer-led organization, we work for you guys, we work for the volunteers,” Jamie said. “I love my volunteers.” 

Jamie detailed one interaction with volunteers that has always stuck with her after she went to California a few years ago to assist in the wildfires. 

She was placed in a group of volunteers responsible for driving around a 16-foot box truck loaded with supplies to community centers so they could help serve those in need. 

On the third day of their assignment, Jamie said that one of members of her group came up to her and said, “So I hear that you are staff, is that true?” 

Jamie answered yes and was asked why she didn’t tell them. “Well, does it make a difference?” she asked.

“I was in the role I am in today as a manager and they said ‘Well, I guess not,’” Jamie said. “That was probably the biggest compliment I think I’ve ever had because so many people can go on a scene and start bossing around because they are staff; but that’s not how it’s done.” 

As she prepares for the next phase of her life, Jamie said that she will miss her relationships the most, whether it be coworkers, volunteers, community leaders or anyone else she has had the pleasure of working with over the years. 

As much as she will miss those that she has worked with, there is no doubt that the Illinois Red Cross will also miss Jamie as we wish her the best in whatever lies ahead. 

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Jayce Eustice

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Red Cross volunteers restore hope for Chicago family reeling from home fire

In the early hours of January 19th, Ashley Metcalfe and her family experienced a nightmare that no one should endure – a home fire that left them without their possessions and a place to call home.  

As Ashley recalled the events of that morning, the smell of smoke jolted her awake around 4 a.m. and panic set in as she rushed through the apartment, searching for the source. The next thing she knew, the Chicago Fire Department was banging on her door telling her to evacuate.  

“It’s 10 degrees out, it’s the crack of dawn, and there are 8 to 10 fire trucks blocking the entire road,” Ashley said. “There were about 40 firemen outside, and 10 police officers, I couldn’t believe it.” 

Luckily, Ashley’s three children were staying the night with her sister, but she and her partner Arnold stood outside with the other neighbors watching the firefighters battle the flames that had started in the apartment next to hers. Eventually after several hours of working to put out the blaze, Ashley and Arnold were allowed back into their unit, only to find it submerged in several feet of water. 

“Once we get back inside our unit, being the basement unit, it is flooded in about five or six feet of water,” Ashley said. “Everything we have, appliances, TVs, mattresses, our bed frames, clothes, every single thing we owned, we lost it all. Everything was gone.”   

The aftermath left Ashley’s family grappling with the emotional and financial toll of their losses. They reached out to multiple emergency services seeking assistance.  

“We were going through a really tough time and everything we worked for washed away, literally,” Ashley said. “It didn’t seem like we were getting the assistance we needed at that point. We were stressed mentally, stressed financially, stressed spiritually, you know especially on the kids, they literally cried because they missed their toys.” 

As that first evening approached, they were starting to lose hope until they connected with the Red Cross of Illinois. Volunteers helped secure the family a hotel room for the night, but that was only the first step of the organization’s assistance. Ashley said the Red Cross helped with essential needs such as gas for their car, a security deposit for their temporary apartment, and even uniforms for her children so they could dress for school properly.  

“You don’t know how impactful even that was because when it felt like the world was caving in, it was only the Red Cross that helped us,” Ashley said. “We are more than grateful; we owe the Red Cross more than our lives.” 

The family is hoping to get back into their original apartment once updates from the water damage are complete. As they work towards recovery, Ashley is just grateful to have her family by her side and that the Red Cross was there to help when she didn’t know where else to turn in the immediate aftermath. 

“The Red Cross services are amazing, I don’t know where we would actually be without them,” Ashley said. 

Volunteers play a crucial role in addressing an average of 65,000 disasters annually, with the majority being home and apartment fires. If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by fires and other disasters, visit redcross.org/volunteer. 

Written by Communications Manager Mara Thompson

An Unforgettable Phone Call: How the Red Cross supported Ann Rofkahr after her home fire

On a Thursday afternoon in early spring, while on her way to drop off her friend after they had had lunch, Ann received a phone call that left her in complete shock. Her neighbor called with the news that the Bourbonnais Fire Department was working to put out a fire at her home.

“Before leaving to meet my friend, I had been outside and around my home and all was in order. I was in shock—disbelief that my neighbor was telling me that my home of 23 years – 23 years of love and work into it was going up in flames,” shared Ann.

Arriving at her home, Ann was met with a huge blaze and black billowing smoke emanating from her house, 25 mph winds that were making it impossible to extinguish the fire, and 27 neighboring fire departments that were working arduously against nature.

“I was sitting in the fire truck with the Fire Chief when my phone rang, and it was a volunteer with the Red Cross. I knew of the Red Cross because I am a blood donor. I didn’t realize how the Red Cross helps people in situations like the one I found myself in. The moral support, making sure I was okay – I will never forget that call and what it meant to me. That type of support is what helps one through a devastating loss – in my case, my home.”

Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers help local families cope with emergencies. In Illinois, over 4,400 volunteers stand ready to respond when the need arises to provide immediate assistance, disaster mental health, spiritual care, and health services. Diane Carter is a dedicated Red Cross volunteer who after a 31-year career in the military, resolved to be there to lend a hand when it’s most needed and who showed up to help Ann with next steps after her devastating loss.  

“I volunteer with the Red Cross because I will never forget, as a military servicemember, how they were there to support me when I was deployed, and I had an emergency back home. I show up as a Red Cross volunteer because I know firsthand what it means to have someone there to tell you, ‘We’re here for you and together, we’re going to work on a recovery plan.’ You never forget that moment just like Ann doesn’t forget that call she received from us [Red Cross],” shared Diane.

Ann learned that the fire that destroyed her home started at a pile of mulch and the high winds carried the fire to the shed, garage, and ultimately her home. “I was thankful for the clothes on my back, the shoes on my feet, my purse and car, and the incredible outpouring of support I received starting with the Red Cross. I am working on being patient as I rebuild my home and encourage us all to be giving and help others – it will all come back to you when you most need it.”

Volunteers make it possible to respond to an average of 65,000 disasters every year, most of them home and apartment fires. Find out about the needs in your area by searching for current volunteer opportunities. To find urgently needed volunteer opportunities near you, visit RedCross.org/Volunteer.

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza

Mark Thomas: Dedicated to Service

This Black History Month, we are honored to highlight our very own Interim CEO for the Illinois Red Cross, Mark Thomas. Black History Month is a reminder to all that our country would not be what it is had it not been for the originality, hard work, intelligence, and courage of Black Americans who have come before us. Mark has and continues to dedicate his career to impacting his community and honoring all those who paved the way for him.

“Black History Month is a special time for me because when I reflect on the struggles my ancestors had to go through, all those who moved across states for better jobs or advocated for equal rights. I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of many who gave so much – who died, who have been scorned, and persecuted so that I can have the freedom and opportunities I have today. When I think of Black History Month, I aim to recognize the heroes who live among us and maybe are our neighbors – the teachers who don’t make a lot of money, the young cadets striving to be police officers, the lawyers, doctors, the people who are good citizens and vote and serve their communities and all who set the example for others,” shared Mark.

Mark is a thoughtful leader who has dedicated his career to serving those during their most vulnerable moment and serving as the conduit for others to connect with their goal, mentor, or opportunity – the very same behavior that he has experienced throughout his life.

“One thing I knew for sure growing up was that I wanted to be successful at whatever I ended up doing and I wanted to make a positive impact in my community. In retrospect, all my experiences have been centered around helping people. Moving to the Red Cross was the easiest transition because the mission ‘alleviating human suffering,’ directly aligned with the goal I had envisioned for myself. I am grateful to those who saw the potential in me and shaped my trajectory and now — I look for ways to pay it forward.”

Thank you, Mark, for the indelible imprint you have made in the Illinois region. Your legacy of helping and serving others is evident in all you do and the light you bring to your work every day.

With the help of more than 4,400 passionate, dedicated volunteers, the Illinois Region of the American Red Cross serves more than 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois. Sign up to volunteer with us at RedCross.org/Volunteer.

Written by Connie Esparza, Communications Manager

Southern Illinois Chapter prepares for 2024 total solar eclipse

Seven years after Illinois last witnessed a total solar eclipse, the state is once again set to experience the rare event on April 8, 2024. 

While much of the state will be able to see the varying effects of the eclipse, many cities in Southern Illinois will be able to experience a total eclipse, meaning a full blockage of the sun caused by the moon’s rotation. 

It is estimated that the eclipse will bring an additional 300,000 people into the Southern Illinois Area to view the event. For the American Red Cross, this influx of people means preparing to meet the needs of the community. 

Many members of the Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross took part in Solar Eclipse Preparedness Training at the State Emergency Operation Center in Springfield. 

Executive Director Dawn Morris, Disaster Program Manager Julie Brandsasse, Disaster Program Specialist Sean Luedtke, State Relations Disaster Liaison Scott Clark, Board Chair Ed Johnson and Disaster Volunteers Claudia Blackman and Bennie Wininger all attended the training in Springfield. 

Additional support was also provided virtually by other Red Crossers in Southern Illinois and various chapters throughout the state. 

The training covered various aspects of the upcoming eclipse including preemptive planning, sheltering and reunification.

The eclipse is slated to first enter the United States in Texas before travelling through portions of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

The duration of totality in Southern Illinois will also vary by location with ranges falling between two minutes near Effingham and around four minutes near Carbondale. 

Those planning to travel to view the eclipse should check weather forecasts, traffic reports and road conditions beforehand. Viewers should also avoid parking on highway shoulders or ditches to not create hazards for yourself or other drivers. 

The eclipse will enter the state of Illinois at 1:58 p.m. on Monday, April 8 and will exit the state lines around 2:06 p.m. While in Illinois, the moon’s shadow will be travelling between 1830 and 1975 miles per hour. 

To avoid damage to your eyes, the solar eclipse should only be viewed with safe solar viewing glasses or a safe handheld solar viewer. Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing an eclipse. 

For real-time alerts, shelter locations and safety advice, download the Red Cross Emergency App. 

Written by Communications Manager Jayce Eustice

New Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle Unveiled in Illinois

The Red Cross of Illinois is honored and grateful to announce the arrival of our new Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) to the Illinois Red Cross which will enable us to quickly provide food and supplies to people affected by disasters.

On December 18, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to unveil the new ERV which was generously funded by family and friends in loving memory of R. Scott Falk and Rebecca J. Falk.

Thank you to Kim, Jack, and Meredith Falk and all those who contributed to support the purchase of this new vehicle. We are humbled for the opportunity to continue the legacy of our beloved board member, humanitarian, and Red Cross supporter, R. Scott Falk, and his sister Rebecca J. Falk who was also a steadfast supporter and member of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle. Since the Red Cross was founded, we’ve relied on dependable vehicles to deliver our mission.

“Both of them knew that we need to go to where people need us the most,” said Celena Sarillo, CEO of the Illinois Red Cross. “That the Red Cross is not just in a certain place, it’s not only in a building where something happens. We need to be able to go to them and I think it’s so appropriate that this emergency response vehicle is being named after them. Two humanitarians who knew we need to go where we are needed the most.”

Today, our iconic emergency response vehicles remain at the heart of our disaster relief and recovery work. These highly visible vehicles provide our volunteer workforce with recognized and trusted means to easily reach people in need.

To learn more about the Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts, click here.

Volunteer Spotlight: Rob West

“If I can put a smile on your face (after a disaster) I’ve done my job.”
-Rob West

That is how Rob West approaches his role as a disaster volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Photo Credit: Matt Bruce, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
(Rob is shown here, signing in residents at a shelter after Hurricane Matthew in Florida in October 2016.)

Rob started volunteering in 1990, after flooding impacted the Quad Cities area. He jumped in to do disaster assessment work that year, and has never looked back.

“I love helping people,” he says.

In his 30+ year career as a disaster volunteer, Rob has responded to numerous disasters. He has deployed 90 times, both locally and nationally, to disasters such as flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and more.

Rob says, he does whatever he can to help those affected by disasters, as part of his role. “If someone needs something done, I’ll make it happen.”

Spending time in the various disaster-affected areas while on deployments has been impactful to Rob, and he says, he often times will return to visit those areas on subsequent personal trips, to reconnect with those he meets and to support their rebuilding efforts.

“I get cards and letters from people I’ve helped, and people say how they are thankful for the Red Cross being there after disasters,” Rob says.

We are thankful for Rob’s efforts, here in the Illinois region and beyond. Would you like to join Rob on the team? Just visit redcross.org/volunteer to find the volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen

The Impact of Volunteering

This summer we said, ‘See you soon!’ to one of our very own – Nina Musgrove. When Nina took a gap year to work and apply to medical school, she found her calling with the Red Cross through the AmeriCorps Program.

“I was facing the final year before dedicating my life to medical school and I was committed to finding work that made an impact. So, I started with AmeriCorps, and when my term came to an end, transitioning to the Red Cross was the natural thing to do, and what a wonderful whirlwind it has been,” shared Nina.

Through the Disaster Action Team, and in a very short time, Nina taught over 1,844 people through the Youth Preparedness and Community Preparedness Education Program, responded to 66 fires, assisted hundreds of families with recovery, supported Multi-Agency Resource Centers, installed smoke alarms through the Sound the Alarm campaign and helped staff multiple shelters. And it all started with the desire to make an impact.

“Every single experience at the Red Cross has not only impacted my leadership skills but greatly prepared me for my future as an emergency physician. My goal is to help people during the worst time of their lives just like the Red Cross does in times of disaster or home fires. Leaving is bittersweet, but my experience—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever imagined and it’s my wish that others would consider a life-changing time with the Red Cross. I wanted to make an impact, but the impact the Red Cross has had on me has been powerful. I’ve grown in so many ways.”

Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local disasters like home fires. Trained Disaster Action Team Red Crossers like Nina are ready to respond to these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From offering a shoulder to cry on, to meeting immediate needs for shelter or supplies, to connecting people with long-term recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families are not alone during one of the toughest times of their lives.

Volunteer with us to answer the call when your neighbors need help. RedCross.org/Volunteer

Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza