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Volunteer uses planes, boats, helicopters and ATVs to reach affected communities in remote Alaska
By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca The Alaska Natives in the Yukon-Kuskokwin Delta, comprising 48 tribes in the region, live off the water and tundra, combining modern living with ancient traditions. But on October 11-12, 2025, Typhoon Halong, with its 100 mph winds and flooding, tore away at their livelihood. It stripped insulation and roofs from homes, sunk fishing boats, soaked floors and cut power, causing many people to lose their homes and the fish and meat stored in chest freez
NEIA Red Cross
Dec 4, 20252 min read
A Year in the Life of an American Red Cross Volunteer
By Beth Roy On November 13, 2024, Angela O’Leary took a major step and applied online to join the American Red Cross. As her three children reached the age of independence, O’Leary had talked with her husband about her goal of becoming more involved in local volunteer opportunities. She hoped to find a way to give back and was excited to try something new. The O’Learys made their home in Nebraska, but it was her memory of seeing the devastating floods in Asheville, North Caro
NEIA Red Cross
Nov 20, 20253 min read
Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross Honors Volunteers
On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers and staff from the Nebraska-Iowa Region gathered in person and online for the Nebraska-Iowa One Red Cross Volunteer Awards to celebrate each other’s work and many accomplishments in 2025. The sense of community was palpable at each chapter party, and even for those watching the event online. Eastern Iowa chapter awardees Volunteers were recognized for their hours of commitment, outstanding leadership and more. Those selected for awards were n
NEIA Red Cross
Nov 7, 20255 min read
Nebraska Couple Ready When There Is A Need
By Janet Flanagan Most Red Cross volunteers don’t hop in a plane to respond to a local disaster. But Mike and Linda Nielsen of McCook, Neb., have. Since they live in a rural area close to the borders of Kansas and Colorado, Mike Nielsen’s Beechcraft Sierra four-seat airplane can sometimes get them to a Red Cross emergency scene faster than a car. Linda and Mike Nielsen The Nielsens have responded to fires, floods and other disasters in Southwest Nebraska since 2008. They’
NEIA Red Cross
Oct 16, 20253 min read
Celebrating Our Heroes: Volunteer Firefighters and the Red Cross
By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca Did you know? Sixty-five percent of firefighters are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire...
NEIA Red Cross
Oct 10, 20254 min read
Proud To Be Of Service On Game Day
By Beth Roy On a beautiful fall Saturday with the sun shining brightly and rust colored leaves dotting the pavement, a crowd begins to...
NEIA Red Cross
Oct 3, 20252 min read
Retrospective: One Year Since Historic Floods in Northwest Iowa and Surrounding Areas
By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca First, a year's worth of rain fell on Northwestern Iowa for three days. Then, the flooding began. In late June...
NEIA Red Cross
Jun 20, 20254 min read
Celebrating Ron Adams: 50+ Years of Dedication to the American Red Cross
By Beth Roy Ron Adams, a resident of Grand Island, Nebraska, has reached an extraordinary milestone in his lifetime of service—50+ years...
NEIA Red Cross
May 20, 20253 min read
Nice to Meet You: Kara Kinder
We couldn't fulfill our mission without the dedication of our incredible regional volunteers. Finding those individuals and placing them...
NEIA Red Cross
Apr 10, 20253 min read
Supporting the health of communities for Red Cross Month
March became Red Cross Month over 80 years ago with a proclamation from President Franklin Roosevelt. Every American president has...
NEIA Red Cross
Mar 7, 20252 min read
Navy Veteran Becomes Red Cross Volunteer
By Aerial Woods Yvonne Lambertson is a proud veteran of 12 years active-duty service in the U.S. Navy, who medically retired in 1997. Her...
NEIA Red Cross
Feb 23, 20252 min read
Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross recognizes 68 volunteers
The Nebraska-Iowa American Red Cross region presented awards to 68 volunteers and partner organizations during its annual volunteer...
NEIA Red Cross
Nov 4, 20243 min read
Nebraska-Iowa Red Crossers provide hope as hurricane recovery continues
Over the past few weeks, residents of Southeastern states have been coping with the devastation left by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane...
NEIA Red Cross
Oct 20, 20242 min read
Nebraska and Iowa Volunteers answer call to help
It’s been a week since Hurricane Helene made landfall, and the American Red Cross is working 24/7 with dozens of partners to get help to...
NEIA Red Cross
Oct 4, 20242 min read
When disaster hits close to home, new volunteers step up
By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca On April 26, Melissa Chambers was sent home early from work to prepare for bad weather. When the tornado sirens...
NEIA Red Cross
Sep 26, 20242 min read
Caring for pets in a Red Cross shelter
By Janet Flanagan and Peter Teahen Red Cross Pet Liaison Melissa McGill knows that if disaster strikes, it isn’t just people who need...
NEIA Red Cross
Jul 2, 20241 min read
“Above and beyond the call of duty”
Randall Hair, a Greenfield, Iowa resident for decades, had just returned home from the hospital for a fractured ankle when an EF4 tornado...
NEIA Red Cross
May 31, 20242 min read
A Safe, Comfortable Place to Stay After the Greenfield Tornado
By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca Where do you go if your home and your relatives’ homes were destroyed by an EF4 tornado, and you were just...
NEIA Red Cross
May 27, 20243 min read
From the Field: 4 Days After April 2024 Tornadoes
By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca At 8 a.m. on Monday, April 29, Stu Coulson picked up his rental car in Waterloo, Iowa, to drive over six hours...
NEIA Red Cross
May 2, 20242 min read
Volunteers, thank you!
Volunteers are the heart of the American Red Cross. They have raised their hands to help others, and they do it with compassion. Our...
NEIA Red Cross
Apr 25, 20241 min read
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