Fresno native volunteering with Red Cross in Southern California

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thousands of people left with close to nothing as fires continue to burn in LA County.

"The stories of hearing that they have no where to go I just can't wrap my head around that," Red Cross volunteer Elvia Pacheco-Reyna said.

Pacheco-Reyna is a Fresno native deployed to the southland to help those impacted in Pasadena.

"Some people are coming in saying they haven't eaten in days," Pacheco-Reyna said. "They feed them."

She says over 500 people are in the largest dorm area with three other smaller dorms at the site-many seeking refuge with nothing but the clothes on their back.

"We ask them if there's any clothes they want and take as much as they want and they obviously have nothing with them," she explained.

The Red Cross has been bringing in more resources throughout the week from food to hygiene products.

"I remember the first day that they were able to shower, you should've seen the happy faces, because they hadn't showered in four days," Pacheco-Reyna said.

She is a retired registered nurse and says she's been trying everything she can to be there for the victims, including being a friend to a woman who's left with her car, purse and dogs.

"I told her go drive to the beach, find a nice quiet place for you and your dogs, try to sleep because she hasn't slept and she did it," she recalled. "She came back totally refreshed."

In stressful times like these, it's important to take care of your mental health.

"But the very first sign that you're starting to notice something different within you is the best time to seek care," Dr. Jesus Rodriguez with Kaiser Permanente in Fresno said.

He says finding a support group could help deal with the pain and trauma.

To donate to the Red Cross, click here.

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