American Red Cross
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Causes: Emergency Relief and Response

For more than 100 years, dedicated Red Cross volunteers have helped El Paso and the communities of West Texas through disasters big and small. When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross springs into action. Whether it’s a home fire or other devastating event, local volunteers stand ready to respond at all hours of the day to provide shelter, food, clothing, recovery casework, physical and mental health care, and direct financial assistance to our community members when they need it most.

In the past year, hundreds of dedicated Red Cross volunteers from El Paso have: - Supported local people facing disaster - Provided direct financial assistance to those in need - Installed lifesaving smoke alarms in the most vulnerable neighborhoods in West Texas.

March 26, 2023. Pajaro, California. Team of volunteers is distributing food and other supplies around Pajaro and checking on people. Photo by Jaka Vinsek/American Red Cross
August 16, 2023. Makawao, Hawaii American Red Cross volunteer Mary McGavin plays with Jezeriah at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Makawao, where the Red Cross and its partners are operating shelter to help residents on Maui displaced by the historic and deadly wildfire that struck Lahaina on August 8, 2023. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
August 19, 2023. Lahaina, Hawaii. American Red Cross volunteer Diane Haman hands out meals to Shannon Kaio and Rick George. Kaio and George are staying at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa after being displaced by the deadly Lahaina wildfire. The Red Cross and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) worked to temporarily move hundreds of residents displaced by the Lahaina wildfire to area hotels rather than congregate shelters. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
April 29, 2023. Omaha, Nebraska. American Red Cross volunteers James Boles and Heidi Briggs show resident Blanca Gijon the free smoke alarms they are installing in her home as part of a Sound the Alarm event in Omaha, Nebraska. “At this age, I really want most of what I am doing to be beneficial and add up to something good for people, and the Red Cross provides a unique opportunity for that,” James said. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross
March 4-6, 2019 Atlanta, Georgia. DAT home fire responses Atlanta, Georgia video screenshots 2019. American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) members respond to home fires in their community. Video footage taken by Brad Zerivitz/American Red Cross
May 13, 2022. Rociada, New Mexico. Don has over 13 years of experience in disaster relief with the American Red Cross but he says that this wildfire is harder scene for him than managing flood or tornado relief. “ We’ve seen places with no identification left of their home. There are no signals up here so we’ve gone old school and rely on paper maps. It’s like detective work. It’s much harder”. Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross