Why I Volunteer: Unforgettable Experiences

By Dan Santos, Red Cross Volunteer Garrett Mizuo has been to many disaster scenes in the past as a volunteer with the American Red Cross. He's helped victims of hurricanes, wildfires and mass shootings, but he wasn't quite ready for what he saw after a monstrous tornado tore through western Kentucky last December. A tornado … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Unforgettable Experiences

Women’s History Month: Meet Mary Frazier

By Lucca Lorenzi Following her retirement from accounting, Mary Frazier was looking for a way to help others in her community. In 2015, she joined the Red Cross and has been serving the Central California Region ever since.  “I’m a people’s person. I like meeting new people and helping wherever I’m needed,” she stated. “That’s … Continue reading Women’s History Month: Meet Mary Frazier

Board Member, Dom Dopico, Wears Multiple Hats… and Helmets

Dom Dopico transitions from hi-risk to hi-tech to hi-touch helping lead Red Cross Board by Tom Horan, Red Cross Volunteer Few people have experienced the diversity of careers as Serafin “Dom” Dopico, Board Member of the Central California Region. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Dom enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed to … Continue reading Board Member, Dom Dopico, Wears Multiple Hats… and Helmets

Sharing the love this Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! We're celebrating love at the American Red Cross by sharing stories of amazing couples throughout our region who spend some of their quality time together volunteering for Red Cross. Meet some of our volunteer couples and learn about their love for the Red Cross! Meet Isabel Bravo and Jose Perez! For one … Continue reading Sharing the love this Valentine’s Day

Hope Can Make All the Difference; Executive Director Reflects on Her Kentucky Tornado Deployment

Lori Wilson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter, recently returned from Bowling Green, Kentucky where she spent more than two weeks serving the communities devastated by the December Tornadoes. At the Red Cross, we keep stories that impact us close to our Red Cross vests. We like to call them our … Continue reading Hope Can Make All the Difference; Executive Director Reflects on Her Kentucky Tornado Deployment

Why I Volunteer: Helping Others, ‘It’s a Beautiful Thing’

Cynthia Fisher, middle, with Ashley Bonnoit, left, and Jennifer Samaritan at the French fire in August 2021.  By Dan Santos Most people try to avoid the scene of a disaster. Cynthia Fisher — like many American Red Cross volunteers — sees an opportunity to provide safe shelter, food, and comfort to the victims.  “I’m living my best life when I can help somebody get their life … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Helping Others, ‘It’s a Beautiful Thing’

Salute to Service: Meet Jose Molina

The Central California Region recently welcomed Jose Molina to our team as our new Service to the Armed Forces Program Manager. Molina retired from the Navy after 21 years as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He earned his AA in Business Administration through Coastline Community College and is currently attending the University of Phoenix pursuing … Continue reading Salute to Service: Meet Jose Molina

A Token of Kindness

Taylor pictured with her parents, Jan and Jack Poisall, at the Heroes for the American Red Cross event in 2016. By Taylor Poisall, Red Cross Communicator My dad, Jack Poisall, didn’t speak a lot about his experience in the Army, but he would reminisce on jumping out of planes and his dog Fairbanks, named after … Continue reading A Token of Kindness

‘It’s Not a Race,’ and Everybody Wins

Written by Dan Santos The idea for a unique American Red Cross fundraising event got rolling in 2014 at a neighborhood barbecue.  That’s when Diane Krehbiel and her husband Kevin Delson, both of whom were active bicyclists, met up with Ken Bauer, an American Red Cross board member at the time. The Westlake Village residents combined their interests to conceive what would become Ride for the Red, which raises funds … Continue reading ‘It’s Not a Race,’ and Everybody Wins

Brotherhood Found at the Red Cross

John Martinez, Felix Rodriguez and Jose Martinez are known as The Triplets. By Taylor Poisall, Red Cross Public Affairs A lifetime of service and a duty to serve their community are two things these three volunteers share -- but the similarities don't end there. Born seven days apart in the community of Rio Grande Valley … Continue reading Brotherhood Found at the Red Cross