Santa Cruz Red Cross Sends 4 to Washington Landslide Disaster

The American Red Cross Santa Cruz County Chapter is deploying four local volunteers today to Oso, Washington Landslide Relief Effort to provide support and comfort to those in Washington dealing with this tragedy and awaiting information on loved ones.

The four volunteers leaving today include a mental health associate from Santa Cruz, Mike Fyfe (health services supervisor) from Aptos, Lorraine Jacobs (information dissemination associated) from Soquel, and Richard Puccinelli (in-kind donations associate) from Hollister.

The American Red Cross is focusing its efforts on providing support and comfort to those in Washington dealing with this tragedy and awaiting information on loved ones. 

The Red Cross is providing shelter, food, water and emotional support to Oso residents, their families, and emergency responders. 

Since Saturday, the Red Cross has mobilized two response vehicles and nearly 100-trained workers to provide support. These workers have served 2,200 meals and snacks, and handed out dozens of comfort kits.

Because of the difficult nature of this event, mental health volunteers are caring for families who have lost loved ones and waiting for word on the missing. 

From the Gateway to the Golden State Region, the Red Cross has deployed a total of 14 local volunteers to assist the relief effort — four from the Bay Area Chapter, five from the Silicon Valley Chapter, and these four from the Santa Cruz County Chapter.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

We understand that people around the country want to help and we appreciate that support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support this event both financially and with relief supplies.

To help the agency prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small, please make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org.