When disasters strike, our community steps up

Sherry Nealon-Shrive

Wilkes-Barre

On a Friday in January, Theresa, a mom of three, returned home to find smoke pouring from her windows. Within minutes, everything she worked so hard for was gone.

In the days that followed, volunteers from the American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania — neighbors from our own community — comforted Theresa’s family and provided emergency lodging and recovery support. They continued checking in with Theresa for weeks, helping her family navigate their next steps. As Theresa said, “I’m not one to ask for help, but at that time, I needed it and I was glad there was someone that could help me.”

Thanks to donations, this kind of care happens every eight minutes, when Red Cross volunteers help someone affected by a disaster in the U.S. — most often, a home fire.

During the holidays, home fire responses spike nearly 20% nationwide due to seasonal risks. In Northeastern Pennsylvania alone, over 170 people typically need assistance after holiday home fires.

We’ll be there for them — because of our generous donors and volunteers, who help in so many ways. Not just after disasters, but also for people needing lifesaving blood, first aid and CPR, and support navigating the challenges of military service.

So, if you can, please consider donating this holiday season at redcross.org. Just as the community rallied for Theresa’s family, let’s come together again to ensure people have the support and care they need.

Sherry Nealon-Shrive is Executive Director, American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania