Anthony Richardson

Published online on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

The basics: Anthony Richardson, 25, is a business management major at the University of Phoenix. He is single and lives in Fresno.

What he does: Day or night — but often in the early morning hours — Richardson responds to house fires and other disasters as a volunteer with the Fresno-Madera Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross. Hopping aboard the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle, his job is to hand out cups of hot coffee and warm plates of food or find places for families to stay on a chilly night. “From 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., I’m on call for local disasters,” Richardson said.

Why he does it: “I’ve always grown up in a family where service is more than something to do, it’s a lifestyle choice,” he said. “I do it because it’s a way of life for me.”

The turning point: Hurricane Katrina had just happened in 2005 and Richardson was an AmeriCorps ambassador with Fresno Safe and Proud Neighborhoods, an Economic Opportunities Commission program. The Red Cross asked for help with hurricane disaster relief, and Richardson signed up. He helped train Fresno volunteers for service and worked in shelters and on the Emergency Response Vehicle in New Orleans, as well as in cities in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. “From that moment, I was hooked,” Richardson said.

Details, details: The local Red Cross chapter is celebrating more than 91 years of serving the community. Last year, volunteers helped 273 families that lost homes to fire. They educated more than 60,000 individuals in disaster preparedness and certified more than 44,000 in CPR/first aid and aquatics safety. The chapter also supported more than 1,500 local service men and women in the armed forces who needed Red Cross assistance.

What others say: “Anthony has a real heart for volunteering and it shows,” said Dana Regier, director of operations for the Fresno-Madera Counties Chapter of the Red Cross. “Whether it’s responding to a family fire or helping us with training, he’s just a wonderful volunteer and we treasure everything he does for us.”

How you can help: The Red Cross is looking for volunteers for its Disaster Action Team, instructors for preparedness, first aid and CPR, baby-sitting, lifeguard skills and even pet first-aid. Volunteers also are needed to work in the office, help with fundraising and for youth programs. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Tami Dupras at (559) 455-1000. Donations made to the Fresno/Madera Counties Chapter stay locally. Donations made to the Save A Family fund assist families in recovery from a disaster or with other needs. Donations can be made online at fresnomaderaredcross.org or by phone at (559) 455-1000.