National Volunteer Week: Red Cross recognizes crucial support of its volunteers

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National Volunteer Week is April 17-23 and the American Red Cross Central California Region honors the work of its volunteers who give their time to help people in need. Across the country, more than 300,000 Red Cross volunteers serve their communities by responding to thousands of disasters; supporting the collection of blood to help patients … Continue reading National Volunteer Week: Red Cross recognizes crucial support of its volunteers

Bill Dutton: 52 years and counting, still inspired by the Red Cross mission

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By Dan Santos, American Red Cross Volunteer Bill Dutton started his career with the American Red Cross in 1970. In his 52 years with the Red Cross, Bill Dutton has seen many changes, except for one thing: “The mission to help others in need is still there. That’s what has kept me inspired.” During his … Continue reading Bill Dutton: 52 years and counting, still inspired by the Red Cross mission

Sound the Alarm to Save Lives: A Campaign to End Home Fires

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Did you know home fires are the most common disaster in this country? Home fires are the most common disaster in this country and are so dangerous that they claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined. Tragically, seven lives are lost each day in the U.S. to home fires. To … Continue reading Sound the Alarm to Save Lives: A Campaign to End Home Fires

Celebrating Women’s History Month in Central California

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Stories collected by Abby Oldemeyer and Jazmyn Vega, Red Cross Communications Volunteers As we round out the last day of Red Cross Month and Women's History Month, we reflect on the selfless drive of our founder, Clara Barton. Clara is one of the most honored women in American history – Guided by an intense devotion to … Continue reading Celebrating Women’s History Month in Central California

Why I Volunteer: ‘It woke something up in me’

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By Dan Santos, American Red Cross Volunteer Now and then, Red Cross volunteers take an indirect path to helping others in need. Bill Beebe was thirsty. He was in Florida in 2020 for his grandmother's funeral. "I went to the store and there was a display next to the 12-packs of Mountain Dew for Team … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: ‘It woke something up in me’

Why I Volunteer: Unforgettable Experiences

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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

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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

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

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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

Driven by Gratitude to Give

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By Jon Darius, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer  “Gratitude” was the feeling that drove Martin Gonzales to donate blood last summer. After a life-threatening experience that led him to receiving a blood transfusion, Gonzales feels that the main inspiration for donating blood is to give back to those that may have been in the same … Continue reading Driven by Gratitude to Give

Local Church Comes Together to Save Lives; Inspire Others to Give Blood

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Newbury Park church partners with American Red Cross to save lives and serve others By Tom Horan, Public Affairs Volunteer While he was still relatively new to being a pastor at Living Oaks Church in Newbury Park, Lead Pastor Austin Axen clearly remembers the devastation that befell his community in November of 2018. “All of … Continue reading Local Church Comes Together to Save Lives; Inspire Others to Give Blood