Red Cross Turns Compassion Into Action During McKinney Fire

American Red Cross California Gold Country Region

Aug 3

By Judith Lester, Volunteer

The American Red Cross is busy 365 days a year, 24 hours a day turning compassion into action.

When Siskiyou County's McKinney Fire broke out, the Red Cross was called upon to open an evacuation shelter in Yreka. Within just a few hours, the doors were open.

Once evacuation orders were issued in Yreka, the Red Cross relocated the shelter to the Weed Community Center.

Barbara Leper and her husband are guests at the Red Cross shelter in Weed.

Barbara Leper, 78, and her husband are at the shelter in Weed because they are once again under the threat of losing everything all over again. "Last year we had to run for our lives when our home in Happy Camp burned to the ground in just a few minutes," Leper said.

The Lepers have lived in beautiful Siskiyou County for nearly 30 years. Regardless of the continuum of wildfires, they are planning to stay put in the Weed community. "We just love it here, it's our home," Leper said.

The Red Cross was there for the Lepers last year. Leper shared how the Red Cross helped them along with temporary housing and the essential items they needed.

"The Red Cross kept helping us along the way," Leper said. "We received another $500 gift certificate in December for food and gas."

Consider supporting Red Cross disaster relief efforts by visiting redcross.org/donate.

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