Red Cross deploys CEO, Utahns to help Californians recover from fires
Feb 18, 2025, 12:13 PM | Updated: 1:01 pm
Screen shot of American Red Cross in California. (Steve Jeter, American Red Cross)
(Steve Jeter, American Red Cross)
SALT LAKE CITY — The American Red Cross deployed multiple Utahns to help Californians recover from recent wildfires.
Red Cross of Utah-Nevada CEO Heidi Ruster, said she’s heading to California to help coordinate efforts with local government.
“Those areas are overwhelmed with the amount of activity and the needs of engagement in the community related to the number of people that were affected by these fires,” said Ruster.
Helping Californians recover, gaining experience
By going, Ruster said its a chance to help people and bring valuable experience back to Utah.
“It’s an opportunity to engage in our mission directly but it also brings that experience back to the region.”
Since the fires started, the Red Cross had deployed 16 Utahns according to Ruster. Each person spent two weeks helping Californians to secure shelter and food and access financial aid and mental health resources.
Ruster said Utahns can help by donating blood, money or by signing up to be a volunteer with the Red Cross.
Related reading:
- Utah firefighters return home after battling California fires
- Red Cross asks for blood donations as winter weather cancels drives
- Murray house fire causes damages, displaces family
- Local nonprofits moving hundreds of shelter pets from Los Angeles to Utah
