Red Cross Central California Blog
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Every day, men and women answer our nation’s call to serve in the armed forces, and the American Red Cross stands by these heroes and their families from the day they enlist throughout their military careers and beyond. These heroes and their families assume great responsibility and face daunting challenges unique to military life, including … Continue reading Serving Those Who Serve Our Nation
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
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
Pictured on the left is Debby Dailey with fellow Red Cross volunteer Marion Chappell By Lucca Lorenzi, Public Affairs Volunteer Debby Dailey’s helping hand has sewn an incredible quilted patchwork of volunteer service, and she has left an inspiring impact on the hearts of veterans and those impacted by disasters in her community. Dailey, a … Continue reading A Patchwork of Service
Patti Shiflet standing on the far right with fellow Red Cross volunteers. By Abby Oldemeyer, Public Affairs Volunteer When Patti Shiflet started talking to an American Red Cross Volunteer at her community center during a personal preparedness meeting, her first thought was to ask how she could get involved. When I asked what motivated her … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Meet Patti Shiflet
By Dan Santos, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer Ray Tschaeche is not concerned about finishing first in the American Red Cross’ Ride for the Red event on Saturday, November 13. “It’s not a race,” said Tschaeche (sounds like Check-E). “Anyone who signs up for the ride should know that. You don’t win a prize for coming in first. You get a thank you … Continue reading Why I Ride – To Support a Good Cause
Pictured left to right: Derril Shiflet, Patti Shiflet, Suzanne Curtis, Mark Lemmon and Jack Dixon at the Santa Barbara County Stand Down in Santa Maria. Over the past month, the Red Cross of Central California Region’s Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) team, Red Cross’s original division of service, celebrated its 31st year of Stand … Continue reading Serving Those Who Served Our Nation
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
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
Story by Cindy Huge, Public Affairs Volunteer Rarely do I cry when interviewing an evacuated resident, but today I found myself shedding a few tears. Life recently for Nina Baetz has been very difficult. Her daughter, who was terminally ill, passed away just a few days prior to the mandatory evacuation orders for the fast-moving … Continue reading Life’s Most Difficult Season
Red Cross Central California Blog 