“When the lightning storms swept through our Northern California Coastal Region, our region’s Red Cross teams sprang into action,” says Ken Toren, Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley. “Nearly 350 volunteers and regional staff joined the response to provide shelter, meals and relief items.”   

Our #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes are working alongside government and community partners to provide shelter, food and comfort for people forced to leave their homes with little notice due to several wildfires happening throughout Northern California.

Since the response began, the American Red Cross of Silicon Valley opened its doors to operate 22 congregate (traditional) shelters, dozens of non-congregate sites (in hotels or similar facilities) and 23 temporary evacuation points throughout our region.   

The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. With the assistance of trained Red Cross volunteers, their team has been able to staff shelters and support residents during this time of tragedy.

As the disaster evolves, the American Red Cross will assess how community volunteers can best support the operation to ensure the safety and well-being of all those impacted by the wildfires.   

The American Red Cross delivers help to anyone regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or citizenship status. People who have disaster-caused needs do not need to be American citizens to access Red Cross services, and government agencies, such as ICE, do not have access to the shelters. English and Spanish-speaking staff are there to make these safe, supportive places for all.  

Even during a pandemic, organizations like this week’s #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes, our community receives the help it needs during disasters and emergencies. We thank the American Red Cross of Silicon Valley for jumping into action to provide much-needed services during the wildfires.

For more information on where to receive help from our #SiliconValleyStrongHeroes, please visit  https://www.redcross.org/local/california/northern-california-coastal/about-us/locations/silicon-valley.html.