The Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross has been awarded the San Marcos High School Red Cross Club its Distinguished Club Award for 2010. The Distinguished Club Award is given to the Red Cross Club who has shown the best overall performance in the areas of club administration, membership, leadership development, chapter involvement, service, and fund raising.
According to Volunteer and Youth Specialist Lauren Ward at the American Red Cross Santa Barbara Chapter, “The Red Cross Club at San Marcos High School has achieved excellence across all performance areas. Club Officers have shown strong leadership, including members in all decisions affecting the club, hosting active and productive club meetings and assigning club members into committees so their work was structured, targeted and on point. Their strong organizational skills led to success on several service projects this year, including their second annual Teachers vs. Seniors basketball game, the Global Youth Service Day Beach Clean-Up and numerous other fundraising projects that netted almost $1,000 for the Chapter and the Measles Initiative.”
The San Marcos High School Red Cross Club also received the Honor Club Award in the Spring Semester of 2010, a recognition which is awarded twice a year.
San Marcos Red Cross Club President Manpreet Kaur was given the Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of her exemplary service and commitment to the mission of the American Red Cross. Club advisor and San Marcos teacher Rick Ceriele says Manpreet “is the hardest working officer I have ever had and is an excellent leader and inspiration, and just a very kind human being.”
Manpreet Kaur and fellow club member Kelsey Rich also received the Red Cross Club Single Service Award for a beach clean-up day in honor of Global Youth Service Day. They were part of a committee of students partnered with the Santa Barbara County Parks Division and helped to recruit volunteers and provide key leadership and supervision during the event. The San Marcos Red Cross Club also received a Single Service Award for their part in the beach clean-up.
The Santa Barbara Chapter of the American Red Cross sponsors clubs at high schools throughout Santa Barbara County in addition to its mission of providing relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It is located at 2707 State St. in Santa Barbara and can be contacted by calling 805-687-1331.