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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

"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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

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

Linda Carralejo’s Second Act as Red Cross Volunteer: 40 Years of Public Service, and Counting!

Posted on by redcrosscentralcalifornia

By Anna Kumor, Red Cross Communications Volunteer You can always count on Linda Carralejo to stay calm in an emergency. For 35 years, Linda was the reassuring voice answering 9-1-1 calls as a dispatcher for the Ventura Police Department. After retiring, she took some well-deserved rest and relaxation before finding her next calling: volunteering. “I … Continue reading Linda Carralejo’s Second Act as Red Cross Volunteer: 40 Years of Public Service, and Counting!