Alberta News and Stories

Alberta student makes giving a part of life

January 16, 2015 - It has always been in Tory Dalrymple's nature to give back. On her eighth birthday, she asked her guests to donate to charity instead of bringing a gift. Since then, the 13-year-old from High River, Alberta, has made giving a part of her life. After learning about the Ebola crisis in school, she set her sights on making a donation to the Red Cross. 

Dedicated To disaster recovery: A Red Crosser's story

December 27, 2014 - From Nicaragua to Newfoundland and on to Alberta, Aliusha Benoit follows her heart when communities need help, particularly after a disaster.

It isn’t always the easiest path to travel, but since Aly first joined the Red Cross as a disaster relief volunteer in Nicaragua more than 20 years ago, she wouldn’t live any other way.

 

Quick thinking saves a life and leads to a Rescuer Award

July 24, 2014 - The quick thinking and heroism Jared Nieboer displayed on a crisp Saturday morning in October was recently recognized by the Canadian Red Cross.  The Alberta man was presented with a Red Cross Rescuer Award last month for the actions he took to save a man from a car accident.

Flooding in Alberta: Tips to help you stay safe during a flood

June 19, 2014 - As rain continues to fall on the already saturated ground throughout Southern Alberta this week, Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief to the many individuals and families impacted by rising rivers and wide-spread flooding. Red Crossers are in communities, mobilizing supplies such as cots, hygiene kits and blankets, assisting with a reception centre and shelter, and registering evacuees to ensure they receive the help they need. The effects of flooding can be devastating, but there are ways for individuals to help keep themselves safe.

Thank you to Alberta flood volunteers and staff

June 18, 2014 - As the Alberta Flood anniversary approaches, we at Red Cross are naturally focused on the work still ahead of us. That’s because we know hundreds of families are still struggling to recover.  Even now, people arrive at our offices with heartbreaking stories. Often, their financial credit is maxed out and they don’t know where else to turn. In the midst of this need, it can be tough to take time to recognize everything that’s already been accomplished during the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Flood response. But of course, that’s equally important. So today, Red Cross says a special thank you to all the staff and volunteers who work so hard to help others.

Alberta floods: One year later High River family moves forward with thanks

June 16, 2014 - Slabs of fresh sod draw subtle lines along the High River field where Andrea Vasquez’s kids play soccer now. Just as the park shows few signs of last year’s devastating floods, Vasquez says her family also refuses to be defined by the disaster.

Extreme weather is the new norm, says senior climatologist

May 07, 2014 - There’s no question that Canada has had its fair share of challenging weather over the last year. Just think back to the Alberta floods or the ice storm that hit Eastern Canada. There have been an unusually high number of severe weather situations that have kept Red Cross disaster teams on high alert across the country.

A Hero Among Us

April 11, 2014 - Sirens piercing, phones ringing, and voices shouting above the din. People rushing in and out of chaos – hyper-focused on the urgency of their tasks. Enter Donald Bourne – an emergency response senior advisor for the Red Cross – who thrives in crisis situations. Bourne has worked on everything from fires and floods in Alberta to conflict zones and disasters around the world.

The Red Cross Social Team: Join us and make a difference

April 08, 2014 -

Did you know that in 140 characters or less or by posting on Facebook you can help the Canadian Red Cross carry out our mission during a disaster. Meet two members of the Social Team who love what they do. 

A woman who rocks: Promoting healthy youth relationships

April 03, 2014 - “Knowledge is power! When we know better, we do better,” exclaimed Rebecca Balanko. It is with this mindset that Balanko has delivered the Healthy Youth Relationships workshop, part of the Canadian Red Cross Violence and Abuse Prevention program, to more than 1,000 youth in Alberta.