Why I Ride – Paying Tribute

by Dan Santos, Public Affairs Volunteer Rick Lopez is not letting COVID-19 stop him from participating in Ride for the Red, the American Red Cross’ fundraising event benefiting Service to the Armed Forces. The event returns on November 13.  “I’m riding to pay tribute to those who had to go to war,” said Rick, an Army veteran himself. “I never had to go … Continue reading Why I Ride – Paying Tribute

Help the Red Cross tackle the need for blood and support hospital patients

Kick off this fall with a lifesaving blood donation! As fall approaches, the American Red Cross needs your help to tackle the ongoing critical need for blood. All blood types are needed – let’s rally together to help save lives!  Make your appointment to give now and help ensure blood products are on the sidelines … Continue reading Help the Red Cross tackle the need for blood and support hospital patients

Why I Ride – Focus and Commitment

by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer “I’m mostly a mountain biker, so I rode my first Ride for the Red on a mountain bike. It was a tough 30 miles,” quipped Andrew Bonica, “but I’m a Marine and I don’t quit.” A lot has changed in Bonica’s life since that first ride in 2016. He … Continue reading Why I Ride – Focus and Commitment

Service to the Armed Forces: Volunteer Madeleine Dircks

By Dan Santos, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer  In 1979, Madeleine Dircks was just out of high school in Southern California and the song “In the Navy” by the Village People seemed to be on the radio all the time.  “The boys on the Village People had the cutest outfits,” Dircks recalled. “It sounds kind of silly, but … Continue reading Service to the Armed Forces: Volunteer Madeleine Dircks

Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet Mary Bastos

By Lucca Lorenzi, Public Affairs Volunteer Mary Bastos has served the Central California Red Cross Region for over four years, but her propensity to help others began long before she became a Red Cross volunteer. At a young age, Bastos’ parents instilled in her the importance of dedicating their time to helping others; her father … Continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet Mary Bastos

Red Cross Assistance Available at Local Assistance Center for French Fire

September 10, 2021 The American Red Cross continues to provide help and hope to people facing the difficult task of picking up the pieces after the French Fire.  Red Cross teams continue to work closely with local officials to help to assess the damage left behind and make plans for what support families may need. … Continue reading Red Cross Assistance Available at Local Assistance Center for French Fire

A Little Goes a Long Way

Submitted by Sara Bloom, Sheltering Volunteer during the Creek Fire in Central California. “Cards are my thing, I enjoy making and sending them out to friends and family, and with the pandemic, I finally ended up with more time to make them.  The 'hug' card I made last year was a design I had made … Continue reading A Little Goes a Long Way

Red Cross commemorates the 1-year anniversary of the Creek Fire

By Lori Wilson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter It is hard to believe that we are already looking at the 1-year anniversary of the Creek Fire.  At the time it was the single largest wildfire in California history, a record for only a short time— now broken by the Dixie … Continue reading Red Cross commemorates the 1-year anniversary of the Creek Fire

Turning Heartbreak into Hope

By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Every eight minutes the American Red Cross responds to emergencies both locally and nationally. On August 18, 2021, the American Red Cross of Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter was activated to help shelter residents evacuated from the French Fire. Volunteers and staff set up a shelter at … Continue reading Turning Heartbreak into Hope

Meet the Red Cross Shelter’s Honorary Event Planner

By Taylor Poisall, American Red Cross Public Affairs Jessica Dotterer has a personality you can't help but be immediately drawn to. She would introduce herself as the unofficial event planner and a member of the welcoming committee at one of our Red Cross shelters for the French Fire. You would never know that she had … Continue reading Meet the Red Cross Shelter’s Honorary Event Planner