2022 in Review: Red Cross Mission in Action

By Tony Briggs, Regional CEO and Pacific Coast Chapter Executive Director In what has become a year-end tradition, it’s time to take a look back together at 2022. We thank our volunteers, financial and blood donors, staff and supporters who carry out our mission each and every day. In the past year, our teams delivered food, … Continue reading 2022 in Review: Red Cross Mission in Action

Meet the Board: Sabrina Ashjian

By Angie van Lingen, Red Cross Communications Volunteer As an esteemed member of our Pacific Coast Board, Sabrina Ashjian’s accomplishments have given her a solid foundation to be successful in any role she has undertaken, but her greatest leadership vision is inspiring every community member to be a community leader. Sabrina shared some words of … Continue reading Meet the Board: Sabrina Ashjian

Year in Review: Three Volunteers Receive Prestigious Recognition for Their Service to Armed Forces 

By Lucca Lorenzi, Communications Volunteer Three long-term volunteers from the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter were recognized for their dedication of their time and talents to their community’s veterans and current members of the armed forces in 2022. Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteers are there 24/7 to provide comfort and care … Continue reading Year in Review: Three Volunteers Receive Prestigious Recognition for Their Service to Armed Forces 

Stories from Ride for the Red 2022

by Linda Demyan, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer What does it take to put on a successful fundraising event AND raise awareness?  On November 12th, it took 170 bike riders and 130 volunteers who braved a very cold morning and ended up with an amazing sunny day and $75,000 in donations raised. Participants in the three … Continue reading Stories from Ride for the Red 2022

The Client High Five

By Christin Newlon, Red Cross Volunteer Red Cross Volunteer, Miller Newlon, is a long way from his Paso Robles home. Having served in health services during Hurricane Katrina, Miller was eager to volunteer again with the American Red Cross upon his retirement. Seventeen years later, he is in Fort Myers, Florida as a Disaster Health Services … Continue reading The Client High Five

The Impact of Giving Time

By Osvaldo Rodriguez I was invited to spend a few hours volunteering on a Saturday morning by my friend Eddie, who is also the Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Kern County, to volunteer for Sound the Alarm. He informed me that the company that I work for, The Wonderful Company, had partnered … Continue reading The Impact of Giving Time

How volunteers are helping to End Home Fires

Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. Donors, volunteers and partners made our Sound the Alarm. Save a Life campaign a lifesaving success this year. This past spring, Red Cross of Central California volunteers and local partners installed more than 1,100 free smoke alarms across … Continue reading How volunteers are helping to End Home Fires

Profoundly Heartbreaking Experience Leads to Heartfelt Volunteerism

By Cindy Huge, Red Cross Volunteer Life seemed to come to a halt when Cody Blackford heard the news that two of his family members had perished in a house fire. “I remember getting a call from my parents, while I was at work, informing me that my eighteen- and three-year-old nieces had passed away … Continue reading Profoundly Heartbreaking Experience Leads to Heartfelt Volunteerism

The Three Amigos from the American Red Cross

This month, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the many Red Cross volunteers who give their time and talent to our mission. Volunteers like Manny Lerma who are driven with passion to serve their community and beyond. After his most recent deployment, Manny shared about his experience volunteering, his culture and how it has impacted … Continue reading The Three Amigos from the American Red Cross

In Memory of Mort Ward

Contributed by Vicky Ballmes and Kimberly Coley Mort Ward (Rev. Canon S. Mortimer Ward, IV), a 34-year Red Cross volunteer and foundational figure in Disaster Spiritual Care, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on July 28, 2022.  Mort served the Red Cross in many roles including as an instructor, member of Disaster Health … Continue reading In Memory of Mort Ward