Mastercard Volunteers Aid Red Cross in Los Angeles Wildfire Relief
Mastercard Volunteers Assist in Wildfire Relief Efforts in Los Angeles
On January 7, devastating wildfires ignited across the Los Angeles area, consuming over 40,000 acres and resulting in approximately $14.8 billion in damages. Within a month, two teams of specially trained Mastercard employees arrived on the ground to aid the American Red Cross in providing relief. Their mission was to assist thousands of individuals whose homes and businesses had been reduced to ashes.
“We all have stories that drive us every day,” says Deann Donohue, Vice President at Mastercard’s Public Sector Center of Excellence in O’Fallon, Missouri, who joined the first team of volunteers. “It’s about providing comfort to a man searching for his late wife’s urn, or listening to a firefighter’s story about watching his own home burn on the news.”
Mastercard partnered with the American Red Cross in 2019 to establish a disaster relief corps, training 53 employees in areas such as aid distribution, shelter management, and disaster assessment. Since then, the team has grown to 687 members, many of whom have participated in multiple deployments, including responses to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Hurricane Ian in Florida, and the tornadoes in western Kentucky.
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
For the Mastercard volunteers based in Purchase, New York, the day begins with a 2 a.m. wake-up call to catch their flight to Los Angeles. They are among 20 employees joining the first wave of volunteers, with another team set to arrive the following week.
Upon landing, the group attends the Red Cross disaster response briefing, outlining the week’s objectives. “I’ve already heard positive feedback about the energy and collaboration our team brings,” says Joe Kaczorowski, Mastercard’s Senior Vice President for Risk Analytics.
“It’s exciting to feel so welcomed.”
At their hotel, volunteers reconnect with colleagues and Red Cross members, some of whom had previously worked together on past disaster relief efforts. Kaczorowski recalls a poignant moment from his first deployment assisting Afghan refugees in Texas: “A woman told me that in the Red Cross, people measure time differently—not in years, but in the number of deployments. It’s incredible to see that shift within our own Mastercard team.”
Day 2: Relief Efforts in Full Swing
With multiple fires still active, volunteers are dispatched across the region.
Donohue is stationed at the UCLA Research Center near the Palisades Fire, where FEMA and other agencies are assisting displaced individuals with temporary housing, mental health support, and vital document replacements.
Meanwhile, Kaczorowski works at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium shelter, where the Mastercard team is helping consolidate residents into a single ballroom to improve efficiency. This process involves tracking individuals who have relocated, securing any belongings left behind, and ensuring that those still in need have appropriate accommodations.
In another area of the shelter, volunteers assist in moving patients from an infirmary to a new location, carefully transporting their belongings and beds. “Once we started, there was barely a moment of downtime,” Kaczorowski notes.
Day 3: Facing the Reality of Loss
At an Altadena grocery store—one of the few structures still standing—Donohue distributes PPE kits to residents returning to assess the damage to their homes. “Today was emotionally difficult. Most people were coming back to nothing but ashes, searching for any remnants of their lives,” she shares.
Kaczorowski takes on a different role at the Pasadena shelter, utilizing his expertise to assist with data management and logistics for the Red Cross. He helps track volunteer assignments and resources while observing how the team navigates challenging conversations with those affected by the disaster.
Days 4 and 5: Finding Hope Amidst Tragedy
Donohue returns to Pacific Palisades, where rain falls for the first time since the fires began. She spends the day at the Palisades Recreation Center, a surviving brick building surrounded by devastation. There, she meets a couple from her hometown in St. Louis. “We laughed and cried together,” she recalls. “The woman told me this was the first time she’d been able to smile since returning, and that truly touched me.”
Meanwhile, Kaczorowski continues his shelter work but experiences an uplifting moment when legendary musician Neil Young arrives to perform "Heart of Gold." Accompanied by actress Daryl Hannah and two miniature horses, their presence brings much-needed joy to those staying at the shelter. “Everywhere I looked, our team was creating comfort in small ways—strengthening bonds not just among ourselves, but also with the people we’re here to help,” he says.
Day 6: Wrapping Up, But Leaving a Lasting Impact
As a fresh team of Mastercard volunteers arrives in California, the departing group reflects on their experience.
“For me, volunteering is about being present for those in need,” Donohue shares. “It’s about helping a man from out of state complete paperwork for his brother-in-law with dementia, or embracing a grieving couple searching for their daughter’s grave. The Red Cross and its volunteers make a profound difference.”
Kaczorowski echoes her sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “Disaster relief work isn’t easy, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. I met incredible people from all over the country, united by a shared purpose: to give back. The bonds we’ve formed will last a lifetime, and I can’t wait to volunteer again.”
On January 7, devastating wildfires ignited across the Los Angeles area, consuming over 40,000 acres and resulting in approximately $14.8 billion in damages. Within a month, two teams of specially trained Mastercard employees arrived on the ground to aid the American Red Cross in providing relief. Their mission was to assist thousands of individuals whose homes and businesses had been reduced to ashes.
“We all have stories that drive us every day,” says Deann Donohue, Vice President at Mastercard’s Public Sector Center of Excellence in O’Fallon, Missouri, who joined the first team of volunteers. “It’s about providing comfort to a man searching for his late wife’s urn, or listening to a firefighter’s story about watching his own home burn on the news.”
Mastercard partnered with the American Red Cross in 2019 to establish a disaster relief corps, training 53 employees in areas such as aid distribution, shelter management, and disaster assessment. Since then, the team has grown to 687 members, many of whom have participated in multiple deployments, including responses to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Hurricane Ian in Florida, and the tornadoes in western Kentucky.
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
For the Mastercard volunteers based in Purchase, New York, the day begins with a 2 a.m. wake-up call to catch their flight to Los Angeles. They are among 20 employees joining the first wave of volunteers, with another team set to arrive the following week.
Upon landing, the group attends the Red Cross disaster response briefing, outlining the week’s objectives. “I’ve already heard positive feedback about the energy and collaboration our team brings,” says Joe Kaczorowski, Mastercard’s Senior Vice President for Risk Analytics.
“It’s exciting to feel so welcomed.”
At their hotel, volunteers reconnect with colleagues and Red Cross members, some of whom had previously worked together on past disaster relief efforts. Kaczorowski recalls a poignant moment from his first deployment assisting Afghan refugees in Texas: “A woman told me that in the Red Cross, people measure time differently—not in years, but in the number of deployments. It’s incredible to see that shift within our own Mastercard team.”
Day 2: Relief Efforts in Full Swing
With multiple fires still active, volunteers are dispatched across the region.
Donohue is stationed at the UCLA Research Center near the Palisades Fire, where FEMA and other agencies are assisting displaced individuals with temporary housing, mental health support, and vital document replacements.
Meanwhile, Kaczorowski works at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium shelter, where the Mastercard team is helping consolidate residents into a single ballroom to improve efficiency. This process involves tracking individuals who have relocated, securing any belongings left behind, and ensuring that those still in need have appropriate accommodations.
In another area of the shelter, volunteers assist in moving patients from an infirmary to a new location, carefully transporting their belongings and beds. “Once we started, there was barely a moment of downtime,” Kaczorowski notes.
Day 3: Facing the Reality of Loss
At an Altadena grocery store—one of the few structures still standing—Donohue distributes PPE kits to residents returning to assess the damage to their homes. “Today was emotionally difficult. Most people were coming back to nothing but ashes, searching for any remnants of their lives,” she shares.
Kaczorowski takes on a different role at the Pasadena shelter, utilizing his expertise to assist with data management and logistics for the Red Cross. He helps track volunteer assignments and resources while observing how the team navigates challenging conversations with those affected by the disaster.
Days 4 and 5: Finding Hope Amidst Tragedy
Donohue returns to Pacific Palisades, where rain falls for the first time since the fires began. She spends the day at the Palisades Recreation Center, a surviving brick building surrounded by devastation. There, she meets a couple from her hometown in St. Louis. “We laughed and cried together,” she recalls. “The woman told me this was the first time she’d been able to smile since returning, and that truly touched me.”
Meanwhile, Kaczorowski continues his shelter work but experiences an uplifting moment when legendary musician Neil Young arrives to perform "Heart of Gold." Accompanied by actress Daryl Hannah and two miniature horses, their presence brings much-needed joy to those staying at the shelter. “Everywhere I looked, our team was creating comfort in small ways—strengthening bonds not just among ourselves, but also with the people we’re here to help,” he says.
Day 6: Wrapping Up, But Leaving a Lasting Impact
As a fresh team of Mastercard volunteers arrives in California, the departing group reflects on their experience.
“For me, volunteering is about being present for those in need,” Donohue shares. “It’s about helping a man from out of state complete paperwork for his brother-in-law with dementia, or embracing a grieving couple searching for their daughter’s grave. The Red Cross and its volunteers make a profound difference.”
Kaczorowski echoes her sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “Disaster relief work isn’t easy, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. I met incredible people from all over the country, united by a shared purpose: to give back. The bonds we’ve formed will last a lifetime, and I can’t wait to volunteer again.”
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