Mission

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.

The Big Idea

The Central Coast Chapter provides relief to disaster survivors, helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Recently, our local Chapter has experienced unprecedented flooding from the 2023 California storms and floods, impacting families. Our chapter has endured responses such as Pfeiffer, Soberanes, Dolan, River, Carmel, and CZU Fires, coastal flooding, and debris flow incidents. Every year, some 400 local volunteers responded to home fires, assisting hundreds of individuals in Monterey, helping families with more permanent housing situations, displaced children replace damaged items and access psychological services. Whether it’s a home fire from fireworks or a levee break in Pajaro, through our preparedness efforts, we work alongside local partners to identify and understand unique community needs to ensure people receive the help they need. Red Cross disaster relief services are a crucial safety-net for families in Monterey, we ensure our community is prepared for another year of unpredictable disasters.

“Every time there’s a disaster – the Red Cross never fails; you guys are angels in disguise. We really appreciate the time and effort you put into the community; you don’t know how valuable it is."

- Gilberto Nunez