American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania

12/28/2025

As the year comes to an end, we're looking back at the people who inspired us this year.

One of those people is Colin Turner of Lebanon County, who celebrated his 16th birthday not with gifts and cake, but by donating blood for the first time!

Though he was nervous, Colin quickly realized the power of his decision. “That wasn’t even that big of a deal,” he told his mom afterward.

Nicole Turner, a nurse and regular donor, has always shared the importance of giving blood with her son. Seeing him take that message to heart filled her with pride.

“I’m proud as a mom, but I’m super-proud as a nurse-mom,” she said. “Not many 16-year-olds think about donating blood, but Colin did. He has a huge heart.”

This holiday season, we invite you to join Colin and others who are making a difference. Give something that means something.

Schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.

12/27/2025

🎁 We're wrapping up the year with gratitude! Our Central Pennsylvania chapter volunteers recently came together for festive fun and holiday cheer. We appreciate all you do to make a difference in our community! 🌟

12/26/2025

Catherine and David Truckley had just settled into retirement in their Verona, Pennsylvania home when a fire turned an ordinary Thursday morning into a life-altering day.

Catherine had just returned from breakfast with friends when David noticed smoke seeping under their daughter’s bedroom door. Within minutes, their home — the place where they had built their life since 1989 — was filled with flames and heavy smoke.

They escaped safely, but not without heartbreak. “I was heartbroken about the dog,” Catherine said, after trying to save her daughter’s pet, who had been overcome by smoke.

As firefighters worked to contain the flames, Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers arrived to help. They provided financial assistance, emotional support, comfort kits and helped replace medications in the days and weeks that followed.

Recovery, Catherine said, has been “a process.” But the kindness of their community, church, and family — along with the steady support of Red Cross volunteers — helped them find hope again.

“Frankly, I knew the Red Cross helped during natural disasters, but I never gave much thought to what it meant when events happened on a small or local scale,” Catherine said. "I’ve been telling everyone I have a new perspective and grateful appreciation as to what the American Red Cross does.”

While large disasters often dominate headlines, about 175 times every single day, Red Cross volunteers support a family like Catherine's affected by a home fire or other local disaster. These smaller emergencies may not get as much attention, but they cause just as much heartache and need for those affected.

You too can help support your neighbors after disasters big and small by donating at redcross.org/gift.

12/26/2025

Our Disaster Action Team volunteers helped 10 people affected by a home fire on Christmas Day along West Catawicca Street in Nesquehoning (Carbon County).

A special thank you to our volunteers who help their neighbors every day — especially on holidays. ❤️

At approximately 4:35pm, the Lehighton Fire Department was dispatched mutual aid for an Engine and Rescue into Nesquehoning Borough for a Dwelling Fire. Engine 512 and Rescue 551 responded both with a crew of 6 on each. An additional 14 members stood by in station for a total of 26 firefighters responding to the call.

12/25/2025

On this Christmas Day, we also celebrate the birthday of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and one of the most honored women in American history.

Guided by compassion and a relentless drive to help those in need, Clara built a legacy of volunteer service that continues to inspire us today.

In her words: “You must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it.”

This season of giving, we honor Clara’s vision and the volunteers who carry it forward—bringing hope and help when it’s needed most.

❤️ Thank you for being part of this extraordinary mission.

12/24/2025

This year, thousands of families across Pennsylvania went to sleep a little safer — thanks to the generosity of volunteers, community partners and supporters like you.

Together, we installed more than 12,220 free smoke alarms, making 3,620 homes safer from the threat of home fires — the most frequent disaster the Red Cross responds to.

As we close out the year, we’re grateful for everyone who helped make this possible. Your support saves lives — and helps prevent tragedy before it strikes.

This holiday season, give something that means something. Learn how you can support our mission at redcross.org/gift.

12/23/2025

Every year for the last two decades, the community has come together at Pocono Raceway to roll up their sleeves to help save lives — trading horsepower for compassion in action.

More than 3,400 blood donations have been collected at this annual drive, representing thousands of lives saved through the generosity of donors.

These are a few of the everyday heroes who made a difference this year:

🔴 Diane Marschall of Effort has donated nearly 10 gallons over the years. Her rare blood type — O negative and CMV negative — makes her a “Hero for Babies.”

🔴 Air Force veteran Bill Parkin first gave blood during boot camp in 1968. With O positive blood, he continues to schedule regular appointments to help others.

🔴 Donna and Michael Doridio of Blakeslee made the spontaneous decision to donate after seeing a news story about the urgent need for blood, inspired by Donna's sister's cancer journey.

No matter your reason for giving, blood donors are heroes. This holiday season, join your neighbors and give something that means something.

🩸Schedule your appointment at RedCrossBlood.org. ❤️

12/22/2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re celebrating the incredible dedication of volunteers like Jinny and Kevin.

Earlier this year, they drove an emergency response vehicle from Greensburg, PA to Paducah, KY, to deliver meals and supplies to families recovering from disasters.

Kevin joined the Red Cross just last fall, bringing decades of experience as a paramedic and a heart ready to serve: “Whatever it takes; I’m there for whatever they need.”

Jinny has answered the call more than 20 times since her first deployment after Hurricane Katrina. For her, the reward is simple: helping people when it matters most.

This holiday season, you can join them in making a difference. Give with meaning—because crises don't pause for holidays, and neither do our Red Cross volunteers. ❤️

12/21/2025

Special thanks to the Red Cross Club at Central Dauphin East High School! The students organized, collected and delivered essential items to the residents at Veterans Grove in Harrisburg, a community for veterans experiencing homelessness. Thank you for supporting those who served.

12/20/2025

Layer up with purpose — help save lives this winter. Come to donate blood Dec. 19–Jan. 4 to earn an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while they last. We’ve got a spot waiting for you: https://rcblood.org/49hFLbd

12/19/2025

For Theresa Corripio of Carbon County, everything changed in a matter of minutes. The mom of three had only stepped away from her home for 10 minutes when she returned to find smoke pouring from the windows. Her multi-family home was engulfed in flames.

“I’ve never felt so helpless,” she said. “I couldn’t do anything but sit back and watch everything I worked hard for just go up in flames, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.”

In the confusion of the day, Theresa didn’t immediately notice the Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers were already there — ready to help. They stayed in touch, checked in regularly, provided financial assistance, and made sure her family had what they needed to begin moving forward.

“I’m not one to ask for help, but at that time, in that moment, I needed it, and I was glad that there was somebody who could help me and had experience dealing with this,” Theresa said.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania responds to more than 1,500 home fires each year, helping more than 6,600 people just like Theresa and her family. Thanks to generous donations, Red Cross disaster assistance is free and available for all those in need.

This holiday season, be the help when people need it most by making a donation to support our work: https://rdcrss.org/4ne7Svz

12/18/2025

On a snowy Saturday night, while many were warm at home or celebrating the holidays, families huddled on the street, watching as firefighters battled the flames that tore through their apartment building in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County.

Quickly, Red Cross volunteers—neighbors from our own community—stepped in, opening an emergency shelter to provide care and comfort. Over the next several days, Red Cross volunteers and community partners supported 65 overnight stays to displaced residents and pets, served hot meals, snacks and provided essential relief supplies to help families begin their recovery.

One resident, Mark Johnson, shared:
“At first, I was demoralized by being in a shelter, which was a bit overwhelming to me." By the second day, he said he felt like part of a family, which included his neighbors and the Red Cross volunteers.

Mark praised the volunteers who responded that night and those who staffed the shelter. "I often saw the Red Cross responding to disasters and home fires on TV and never thought that this would happen to me and my neighbors."

While the shelter has closed as residents have returned home or to alternate housing arrangements, Red Cross recovery caseworkers continue to provide resources and help families navigate the path forward. We've also convened community partners to provide additional support for those affected.

We are deeply grateful for our Red Cross volunteers—there 24/7 to care for others in their time of need—and for the generosity of donors who make this work possible. Every act of kindness brings hope when it’s needed most. ❤️