Toledo mom grateful for Red Cross assistance following devastating fire

By Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross volunteer

“This is the first time in my adult life I’ve actually been content.” That quote may not seem to make much sense, coming from someone who suffered a home fire less than a month before.  But that’s not how Ashley Jackson sees it.

“Everything happens for a reason, even the bad stuff,” said the Toledo school bus driver, referring to the fire that destroyed much of her home on January 29, 2026.  “So many blessings have come from it.”

Ashley was able to escape safely with her two young sons and their cat at about 4:30 the morning the fire tore through the upstairs of their home.  She said she had no idea what to do or where to go.  She had no insurance, and she thought she and her children were going to have to sleep in their car. That’s when she was told to call the American Red Cross, where she connected with a caseworker.

“You guys jumped right into action,” Ashley said, by helping her stay focused and calm.  “I thought I was OK, but I just busted out in tears, and she (the Red Cross caseworker) stayed on the phone with me the entire time and consoled me and helped me stay strong for my kids.  Because once I started crying, they started crying!”

The Red Cross was able to give Ashley immediate financial assistance for an extended stay in a hotel, where she and her children spent the first week following the fire.  She said they also connected her with other resources for clothes and basic necessities.

“They were checking up on me about every day, maybe twice a day, through calls and text messages.  Just being very kind, and, I don’t know…human.”

Like many people, Ashley was unaware of the help the Red Cross offers to people in her situation.

“I thought it was like some organization that helped foreign countries,” she said. 

In Northern Ohio alone, the Red Cross responds to more than 3 home fires every 24 hours, offering the same compassionate care and financial assistance that Ashley and her family received. And most of that help is provided by volunteers. 

And now, Ashley is considering becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

“I’m happy.  Everybody’s safe. We’re getting back into a routine. Being on the receiving end, I want to give back.”

Anyone who wants to give back and help their neighbors in need can visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about the many ways the Red Cross offers to help make our communities safer and more resilient.