In 2025, local volunteers from the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region, which includes San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, became a lifeline for hundreds of neighbors reeling from disasters across 15 counties within the region to distribute over $1 million in financial assistance. In a powerful display of community, volunteers responded alongside partners to provide safe refuge, hot meals, emotional support and basic health services for families devastated by hundreds of home fires.
The need for this support shows no sign of slowing down. In the U.S., Red Cross home fire responses spike nearly 20 percent during the holidays, when families face increased fire risks such as cooking and heating. Just in this region, over 600 people rely on the Red Cross after home fires in a typical November and December.
“Disasters don’t take holidays — and neither do our volunteers,” said Regional Chief Development Officer, Amy Currin. “Thanks to generous donations, they have the resources to deliver comfort, hope and support to help people recover. Through these simple acts of giving, we come together as a community to bring light to a family’s darkest days — right when it’s needed most.”
This GivingTuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or to give back through volunteering. You can also make an appointment to give blood or platelets. The need for blood is constant — and just like disasters, medical emergencies don’t take holidays. GivingTuesday is an annual event dedicated to boosting radical generosity, held on the Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Created in 2012 at New York’s 92nd Street Y, the idea behind GivingTuesday was to set aside a single day to give back. Over 13 years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires millions of people to donate, volunteer and spread awareness. For many nonprofits, funds raised on GivingTuesday serve as an important kickoff for year-end charitable campaigns. This year, GivingTuesday falls on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Over 240 local Red Cross volunteers delivered aid for major disasters across the country this year, including the Los Angeles wildfires that erupted in January 2025. Over 51,000 local blood donors and 6,000 local platelet donors helped save lives in this region and across the country, including people facing life-threatening conditions like sickle cell disease, childbirth complications, traumatic injuries and cancer. Over 5,300 volunteer hours have been contributed towards supporting military and veteran communities in the region. Four individuals in the Northern California Coastal Region were honored with a National Red Cross Lifesaving Award for helping to save lives with Red Cross skills such as first aid and CPR.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow them on social media.
