Serving Those Who Served Our Nation

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

Mes de la Herencia Hispana: Conoce a Isabel Bravo y José Pérez

Para una pareja, ser voluntario y contribuir al bienestar de otros es un pilar de lo que son. Isabel Bravo y José Pérez crecieron con el valor compartido de servir a los demás. Bravo es Directora de Medio Ambiente, Salud y Seguridad en Wonderful Citrus-Operaciones Agrícolas de California y se desempeña como vicepresidenta de la … Continue reading Mes de la Herencia Hispana: Conoce a Isabel Bravo y José Pérez

Hispanic Heritage Month: Red Crossers Reflect on Their Callings to Serve

For one couple, volunteering and giving back is a pillar of who they are and a foundation of their upbringing. Isabel Bravo and Jose Perez both grew up with a shared value of serving others. Bravo is the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety at Wonderful Citrus-California Farming Operations and serves as the Vice Chair … Continue reading Hispanic Heritage Month: Red Crossers Reflect on Their Callings to Serve

Red Cross volunteers mobilized to help Paso Robles apartment fire survivors           

By Dan Santos, Red Cross Public Affairs “Emergency workers from the American Red Cross came to assist the victims.”  That’s how news reports often sum up what happens at a disaster once emergency crews have finished their work. It was no different with the Dry Creek Apartments fire in Paso Robles on Sept. 21.  An early morning blaze … Continue reading Red Cross volunteers mobilized to help Paso Robles apartment fire survivors           

Fire Prevention Week: Meet Clifford MacBurney

By Lucca Lorenzi, Public Affairs Volunteer Ever since he was a teenager, Clifford MacBurney understood the importance of preparedness. In fact, so much so, he made a career of it. It began during his years at Southwest Ohio High School where MacBurney first began his involvement with the Red Cross. “You might say the Red … Continue reading Fire Prevention Week: Meet Clifford MacBurney

Red Cross Aids Hundreds Across Central California in September 2021

The Red Cross responds to 60,000 disasters a year — and the vast majority of these are home fires. For disasters big and small, our volunteers provide comfort during what can be the worst days of people’s lives. In September 2021, our mission to alleviate human suffering in the face of disasters was once again … Continue reading Red Cross Aids Hundreds Across Central California in September 2021

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

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