Something Bigger Than Yourself: 13 Years of Service Through the Eyes of Leanna Carskaddon

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By Alison Votaw, Red Cross Communications Volunteer When Leanna Carskaddon, Senior Volunteer Recruitment Specialist at the American Red Cross, looks around a room full of Red Cross volunteers, she can barely get through a speech without getting emotional. Leanna is constantly amazed by the local volunteers who constantly show up for their community every day. … Continue reading Something Bigger Than Yourself: 13 Years of Service Through the Eyes of Leanna Carskaddon

Answering the Call: What It Means to Serve on the Disaster Action Team

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"For me, responding to home fires alongside fellow volunteers is not just a responsibility. It’s an honor."Javier Gonzalez Written by Javier Gonzalez, American Red Cross Volunteer and Board Member As a board member of the American Red Cross Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter, I have the privilege of seeing our mission from a strategic … Continue reading Answering the Call: What It Means to Serve on the Disaster Action Team

Full Circle Giving

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By Anna Kumor, Red Cross Communications Volunteer From blood donor to plasma recipient to Red Cross volunteer, Carol Freeland embodies the full circle of the Red Cross experience. Her journey is not just one of service, but of survival — and gratitude that fuels her every day at the Red Cross office in Camarillo, where … Continue reading Full Circle Giving

Investing in Community Heart Beats

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National Heart Month is a reminder of something simple but powerful: in the moments when a life hangs in the balance, it’s often a nearby neighbor or a Good Samaritan who becomes the first source of hope. Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere — at a food distribution site, in a community center or during an … Continue reading Investing in Community Heart Beats

Held by Roots, Moved by Purpose

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How one Red Crosser carries forward the strength of generations while building bridges to new possibilities By Tyniquea Edwards, Red Cross Volunteer I’m often the quiet presence at the edge of the room — listening more than speaking, noticing what others overlook. I’m the person who remembers the small detail you mentioned weeks ago, who … Continue reading Held by Roots, Moved by Purpose

Gerald’s Way of Showing Up

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If you ask Gerald to describe himself, he won’t start with titles, ranks or achievements. He’ll simply say, “I’m just Gerald — someone who cares about people, someone willing to listen and someone who’ll help however he can.” That’s how he moves through the world: grounded, steady and guided by values instilled long before he … Continue reading Gerald’s Way of Showing Up

Finding Adventure Through the American Red Cross

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Susan Lugo has always sought out new adventures. Just four days after graduating high school in the Central Valley, she joined the United States Marine Corps to see the world. For four years, she learned resilience, teamwork and the joy of being part of something bigger than herself. That same spirit carried her to the … Continue reading Finding Adventure Through the American Red Cross

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

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First responders serve our communities 24/7. So, when the American Red Cross alerted the public about a severe blood shortage last month, it was no surprise that dedicated firefighters and police officers stepped up to assist. To support the Red Cross blood supply, local first responders created the Battle of the Badges, a friendly competition … Continue reading Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

Jennie Griggs’ Mission to Support Blood Donors and the Gift of Life

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By Steve Medina, Red Cross Volunteer Every day, countless people give their time and talent to ensure lifesaving blood gets to those who need it most. Many of them work behind the scenes to ensure that hospitals are ready for emergencies and families have hope when seconds count. Jennie Griggs is one of those people. … Continue reading Jennie Griggs’ Mission to Support Blood Donors and the Gift of Life

Red Cross and VCFD Bring Holiday Hope to Families After Home Fires

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For families who have lost everything in a home fire, the holiday season can feel especially heavy. So again this year, the American Red Cross partnered with the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) through the Spark of Love program to deliver toys, trees, and holiday cheer to children whose families are rebuilding after devastating losses. … Continue reading Red Cross and VCFD Bring Holiday Hope to Families After Home Fires