Red Cross Honors Extraordinary Volunteers During National Volunteer Month

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SANTA BARBARA, APRIL 17, 2024 — During National Volunteer Month, the American Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter is celebrating community heroes whose daily support and hard work embody the organization’s lifesaving mission to help people in need.

Last year, 1,000 Pacific Coast Red Cross volunteers supported blood drives, educated community members with preparedness programs, installed hundreds of lifesaving smoke alarms, assisted veterans and military families and provided food and shelter after 100 disasters of all sizes. Nationally and locally, volunteers represent more than 90% of the Red Cross workforce providing comfort and relief in the face of emergencies.

“Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Red Cross,” said Tony Briggs, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Chapter and Regional CEO. “Their support is immeasurable. Without the gift of their time and talents, we wouldn’t be able to help people in what can be their darkest hour.”

Nominated by their peers, each recipient embodies the true humanitarian spirit of the Red Cross, resulting in noteworthy success. The annual Volunteer Recognition Awards honor achievement in each volunteer’s respective field. The award winners from the Red Cross Pacific Coast Chapter are:

• Jo Basernas (Ventura County) – Clara Barton Leadership Honor Award –This is the highest award a Red Cross volunteer can receive in the Central California Region. It honors outstanding volunteer service in leadership positions, held over a period of years. The nominee should reflect the highest level of character and service.
• Tony Hoffman (Ventura County) – Spirit of the Red Cross – This is the highest award that can be received by a volunteer within their chapter. The Spirit of the Red Cross Award is presented to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution that has fulfilled or elevated the mission and service of the Red Cross in a remarkable way.
• Ventura County Spark of Love (Fire Departments of Ventura County, Crystal Stratton, Captain Brian McGrath and ABC7) (Ventura County) – Good Neighbor Award – The Good Neighbor Award is presented to an external group in the community that has made a significant contribution to the community in partnering with Red Cross. The awardee demonstrated exceptional initiative in identifying and meeting a community need and inspired the selfless spirit of giving.
• Communications Team (Tri-County Area) – Regional Team Award – The Regional Team Award is presented to a team of volunteers who demonstrated collaboration and successful teamwork in their achievements. The team’s impact must exceed one chapter and must have be in support of the region.
• Lois Krieger (Ventura County) –Biomedical Services Award–The Biomedical Services Award is presented to a volunteer who has contributed outstanding service to any position in Blood Services and made a positive impact on the country or chapter.
• Michael McGehee (Ventura County) David and Jennie Risard (Santa Barbara County) – Boots on the Ground Award – This award recognizes the volunteers in each chapter who have put their life on pause while they take an in-person deployment away from home. This award is a three-way tie.
• Front Desk Team (Ventura and Santa Barbara County) – Chapter Team Award – The Chapter Team Award is presented to a team of volunteers who demonstrated collaboration and successful teamwork in their achievements.
• Sivani Babu (Santa Barbara County) – Communications Award – The Communications Award is presented to a volunteer who has shown a commitment to sharing the Red Cross story through community outreach, public affairs, and communications. This volunteer will be recognized for their dedication to the mission of the organization and the communications team on which they serve. The volunteer will be recognized for either their caliber communications skills, high commitment in their service, or the quality content produced to share the Red Cross story.
• Kim Price-Marczuk (Ventura County) – Disaster Cycle Services Award – The Disaster Cycle Services Award is presented to a volunteer who has made outstanding contributions in strengthening the Disaster Cycle Services department, program or team.
• Steve Medina (Ventura County) – Disaster Preparedness Award – The Disaster Preparedness Award is presented to a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution in strengthening or furthering the Preparedness Program.
• Linda Carralejo (Ventura County) – Fundraiser Award – The Fundraiser Award is presented to a volunteer who has shown exceptional service or leadership in fundraising efforts. The nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: • Demonstrated support or success in achieving fundraising goals either through special events, individual solicitation, or corporate sponsorship.
• Jody Rogers (Santa Barbara County) – Operations Award – The Operations Award is presented to a volunteer who has shown exceptional commitment and service to their operational role in any of the following areas: front desk, facilities, fleet management, administration assistant, RAST, or other operations function.
• Amy Rosenberg (Ventura County) – Rookie of the Year – The Rookie of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who has served from 1-18 months and has made a significant and valuable contribution. A volunteer from any department is eligible.
• Maricris Parayno (Ventura County) – Volunteer Services Award – The Volunteer Services Award is presented a volunteer who has brought outstanding service and value to the recruitment, engagement, recognition, Volunteer Connections, volunteer screening, data management, Red Cross Clubs, Academic Service Learning (ASL), or the Nursing Network program.
• Sydney Highter (Ventura County) – Youth & Young Adult Award – TheYouth & Young Adult Award is presented to a youth volunteer, under the age of 24, from any school or department, who has exemplified outstanding service.
• David Perfino (Ventura County) – Youth Club Adult Leader Award – The Youth Club Adult LeaderAward is presented to an adult volunteer, working or leading in any capacity with the Youth Clubs, that has shown exceptional service in supporting, elevating or improving Youth Club activity. They have shown, in some way, to have a positive and noticeable impact on the Youth Club Program.
• Colleen Nevins (Ventura County) – Academic Service Learning Leader Award – The Academic Service Learning Leader Award is presented to a volunteer who is serving with position of an ASL student, who has exemplified outstanding service. The ASL volunteer can be from any school, be of any age, and serve in any department.

Committed to helping all those in need, volunteers deliver emergency support such as disaster relief, lifesaving blood, critical services for military families and veterans, lifesaving skills like CPR, international adi and so much more. This Volunteer Month, the Red Cross is inviting community members to put on a red vest and join the team. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started.