When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, Julia Bishop of Kelso, WA, answered the call. Joining a team of American Red Cross volunteers from her church, she traveled to assist with disaster recovery efforts. The experience proved so rewarding that she continued deploying to disasters across the country. Now, with the Southern California fires, Bishop has reached her remarkable 75th deployment.  

“I’m retired. I’m single,” said Bishop, 72. “I don’t want to sit at home and watch TV all day.” 

Always prepared for the next mission, Bishop keeps a suitcase packed, ready for when the Red Cross calls. Her phone rang the day after the California wildfires erupted, and while it took two days to reach the disaster zone, she didn’t waste any time. From home, she remotely coordinated the storage and distribution of emergency supplies to affected areas.  

As a member of the Disaster Emergency Supplies team, Bishop leads a well-organized crew with access to a robust network of volunteers. This strong support has helped the operation run smoothly.

“We’ve had a huge response,” she said.  

Bishop credits the Red Cross for recognizing volunteers’ unique skills and providing training to expand their abilities. Just as she once received guidance as a new volunteer, Bishop now mentors others, preparing them for leadership roles.  

Deployments have fostered deep connections among volunteers. Since arriving in Southern California, Bishop has reunited with almost 30 colleagues from previous missions. She also prioritizes checking on others’ well-being during disasters, connecting both affected community members and fellow responders with spiritual care and emotional health support.  

When asked how long she plans to stay in Los Angeles, Bishop replied, “I’ll stay until I’m ready to pass things off to the next person.”  

Then it’s back to Washington to await the call for deployment number 76.  

JOIN THE MISSION If you’re interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, visit redcross.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).