Each year, our chapter proudly honors two extraordinary individuals whose dedication and service embody the very heart of the American Red Cross mission. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who has made a significant impact over the past year—contributing meaningfully to our operations, programs, and services while exemplifying the true spirit of volunteerism. The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Leadership, our chapter’s highest, once-in-a-lifetime recognition, celebrates a volunteer whose sustained leadership and collaborative spirit over many years have helped shape and strengthen our ability to serve the community. Join us in celebrating this year’s remarkable honorees.
Patrick McKenna is an individual who embodies the essence of volunteerism and leadership within the Silicon Valley Chapter, Disaster Cycle Services. Patrick and is a resident ‘jack of all trades’ in Silicon Valley, and is someone that everyone can rely on for support and guidance whether is making our office space beautiful and functional, or responding locally. Recently stepping up as Mass Care Coordinator, he has proactively engaged local jurisdictions and created opportunities for Mass Care volunteers. His leadership, hands-on involvement in shelter operations, and mentorship have made a lasting impact.
Patrick McKenna (left) receiving his award from Silicon Valley Chapter Executive director, Reagan Lund (right)
Julia Wong is an amazing member of the Silicon Valley Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) team, consistently showing up for her fellow team members and clients when help is most needed. As a member of the Disaster Action Team, Julia has many roles on the DCS team and can be seen responding to local DAT calls, supporting the shelter team, or making badges for new volunteers. Whenever she shows up, she always does so with compassion and care. DCS is so grateful to have her.Julia also provides vital support to Service to the Armed Forces and International Services programs. Helping coordinate Red Cross presence at SAF and IS events across NCCR, organizing and inventorying materials, and providing logistical support, she is a pivotal member of the SAF/IS department. Julia jumps in when asks, and is always a pleasure to work with.
Julia Wong (left) receiving his award from Silicon Valley Chapter Executive director, Reagan Lund (right)
Betty Wong has been with the Red Cross for over 10 years and she has made a profound impact in the Northern California Coastal Region (NCCR). Her dedication also extends across two regions, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to supporting communities in need.
Betty has been a cornerstone of our NCCR efforts, with her dedicated work in pet sheltering and Disaster Action Team (DAT) calls. She consistently provides care and support to pets and families affected by disasters, ensuring their needs are met during critical times. Her compassionate and efficient service during DAT calls has been invaluable, offering immediate relief and comfort to those in need. In addition to her direct service, Betty has been a tremendous support to the Community Disaster Program Managers in both the NCCR and Central California Region. She provides essential assistance, helping to ensure that CDPMs have the resources and support necessary to manage disaster programs effectively. Her collaborative spirit and reliability have made her an indispensable resource for these critical teams, enhancing the overall disaster response efforts in both regions.
Betty also served as a Duty Officer for the Central California Region. In that role she oversaw operations, coordinated teams, and made vital decisions during disaster response efforts. Furthermore, she is a dedicated mentor to new volunteers, guiding them as they integrate into the Red Cross community and preparing them for future challenges.
Betty’s commitment extends beyond direct service; she actively participates in partner meetings and training, strengthening relationships with local organizations and enhancing community response efforts. Her proactive engagement ensures that Red Cross operations remain aligned with the needs of the communities we serve.
Betty’s selflessness, reliability, and exceptional service make her an invaluable asset to the Red Cross. Her contributions to the NCCR and beyond reflect the highest standards of volunteerism.
Betty Wong (left) receiving her award from Merced County Community Disaster Program manager, Gameelah Mohamed (right)
David Matsuyama is so engaged as a Transportation Specialist, I did not realize he just started his volunteer journey as a Transportation Specialist in January of 2024. In his rookie year, David logged over 90 shifts. He is solid, dependable and always willing to give his time and energy. David volunteers for multiple shifts on multiple days of the week. He does not ask for accolades; he gives his time and energy to the Red Cross without fanfare. His gift of volunteering is greatly appreciated.
David Matsuyama receiving his award
We are proud to present the Clara Barton Award to Tom Wiley, whose dedication has been instrumental to our chapter. A retired Fire Captain and long-time Disaster Services volunteer, Tom has supported countless local fire responses and served as our government liaison at Emergency Operations Centers throughout the years. His deep industry connections and mission-driven leadership have greatly strengthened our disaster services. Tom truly embodies the spirit of Clara Barton, and we thank him wholeheartedly. Please join us in applauding Tom Wiley, I hope he is relaxing in Maui and enjoying a MaiTai!
Tom Wiley’s award announcement
As our Volunteer of the Year, Dan Kemper has made outstanding contributions to the Central Coast Red Cross. A longtime Disaster Services Chair and retired Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office member, Dan has been a dedicated Disaster Action Team Coordinator, responder, and consistent supporter of our smoke alarm programs. We’re truly grateful for his service and leadership.
Dan Kimper’s award announcement
Dave has been a volunteer since 1984. Although he has been a Mass Care Sheltering team member for many years, Dave’s primary focus has always been logistics. He has supported Regional Operations as well as DCS, managing everything from DCS vehicles to the regional warehouse located in Alameda.Karol has been a volunteer since 2014. Her initial focus was on Mass Care and Emergency Management. She served as the Alameda Mass Care Coordinator for two years before assuming the Alameda Feeding Lead position. She participated on the EMA team from 2016 to 2021.
Dave and Karol’s award announcement
Karol has been a volunteer since 2014. Her initial focus was on Mass Care and Emergency Management. She served as the Alameda Mass Care Coordinator for two years before assuming the Alameda Feeding Lead position. She participated on the EMA team from 2016 to 2021.
Dave Dorman and Karol Enferadi are almost synonymous with the Regional Warehouse. They have been working together to run the warehouse as a team since 2020. NCCR previously had a dedicated paid staff member who managed the warehouse, and when that position changed, Dave and Karol stepped up to ensure that the warehouse continued to function smoothly. As an example of their dedication, new Disaster Program Managers have said that they didn’t realize Dave and Karol are volunteers, as they keep the hours and responsibilities of paid staff. This past year, they played a crucial role in the move of the Alameda Warehouse, dedicating hundreds of hours to ensuring a smooth transition to the new location.
Dave and Karol are DCS volunteers, but they work across lines of services and touch most activities within DCS. Because the warehouse is a shared space, a typical day for Dave and Karol might include receiving packages for BioMed, helping to drop off a vehicle for service with Fleet, handling a building concern like pest control with Operations, and filling 6409 orders for DAT, Preparedness, or Mass Care. They are the go-to people for questions about the warehouse, as they are the consistent presence there each day, taking care of business.
In addition to their steady state work, Dave and Karol also support disaster responses. They both have deployment experience (by manual count in Volunteer Connection, at least 15 deployments each), and from that, they have forged good relationships with our neighbors in Gold Country and our NHQ colleagues at the Disaster Logistics Center. Dave and Karol have a long list of people they can call with a question due to their relationship-building during disaster responses.
When there is a disaster response within the region, they manage to support the operation while ensuring that regular warehouse duties, such as filling DAT orders, continue. This helps us continue to support our community, even when a part of the region is in crisis. Their long-time service and commitment make them well-deserving of the Clara Barton Award.
Richard Osicka (middle) receiving his award from Regional CEO, Hanna Malak (left), and Regional Mass Care manager, Natalie Manier (right)
Richard Osicka is possibly the most well-rounded, experienced volunteer we have had in Contra Costa. He has held positions in almost every area of Disaster Cycle Services during his 19 years of volunteering. Currently he is Logistics Coordinator, ERV Driver, Forklift Operator, and Deployment Lead. He has built a strong Logistics team who fulfill all the Logistics roles seamlessly. Some of his significant roles in the past include DAT Supervisor, Community Events Coordinator and Disaster Chair. His GAPs are too many to mention. He has deployed in various roles – Logistics, Sheltering, Recovery, DES, SPS – in a total of 11 DROs since 2008. No matter the size or location, Richard has been a key part of many of those responses
Within our area, he is always stepping up to help with Sound the Alarm events, office moves, shelter surveys, trailer jockey training, and to make sure that all our ERV drivers have the current training. Richard has a wealth of knowledge and is readily available to answer questions. Richard is truly the glue that holds our team together. His dedication to the mission, constant positive attitude, big smile, and willingness to step in wherever and whenever needed make him an essential part of our Red Cross family. No matter the challenge, Richard never says no—only, “How can I help?” Or “What do you need?” He ensures that every team member has the resources and supplies they need to succeed, all while leading his logistics crew with kindness and humility. His commitment and team-first mentality inspire those of us that spend time with him, and we feel that he is very deserving of an award of this size.
Art Webb has been a dedicated Red Cross volunteer since 2013, and his impact on our chapter—and beyond—cannot be overstated. What hasn’t Art done for the Red Cross? From serving as a DAT Coordinator, a Logistics lead, an ERV Driver, and most recently, a key member of our sheltering team, Art has embodied the very spirit of volunteerism.
In the past year alone, Art has deployed FIVE times to some of the most critical disaster responses, including the California Wildfires, the Pacific Northwest Wildfires, the Oakland MFF, the Hurricane Helene response in Florida, and most recently the LA Wildfires. No matter the ask, Art steps up without hesitation, ensuring those in crisis receive the care and shelter they need.
When he’s not deployed, Art is a pillar of support for our local chapter as well, contributing to Sound the Alarm, Logistics, and community outreach tabling events. His dedication to sheltering training has been particularly impactful—leading the shelter layout station for our CERT training in June, serving as a subject matter expert and Shelter Manager at the Richmond Shelter Simulation in September, and even traveling to Merced in December to help train volunteers there. He recognizes the bigger picture, ensuring that every community is prepared, even beyond his own. Art is always the first to raise his hand to help—whether here in Contra Costa, across the state, or around the country. He is not only a leader but also a mentor, guiding his fellow volunteers (and myself) with patience, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to the Red Cross mission. Simply put, they don’t make many people like Art, and we in Contra Costa want to make sure he knows how much we appreciate him.
Art Webb (middle) receiving his award from Regional CEO, Hanna Malak (left), and Regional Mass Care manager, Natalie Manier (right)
Since joining the Red Cross in 2017, Aaron Teixeira has held numerous roles with the SF Disaster team. From DAT and Sheltering to Logistics and then Disaster Chair for the last 5 years, Aaron has been dedicated in supporting a team that has gone through many trials and CDPMs. He’s led multiple multi-family fire responses, supported deployments of responders while also deploying as well in Mass Care and Logistics, including sheltering during COVID-era protocols, and been a rock for Logistics in SF. At the end of this past December, Aaron officially stepped down as Disaster Chair for San Francisco. We are forever grateful for his years of service and dedication to clients, fellow volunteers, support of local and regional staff and the SF community.
Elena Vera has supported me in my DSC service answering all sorts of questions: Workforce, Recovery, Deployment, RC Care, language support and even how to log hours- and these are local and regional questions. Whenever I have a question, it seems to somehow go back to Elena and she solves, advises, or directs me so I can best deal with the problem or find an answer, and somehow knows the particular cases that have issues. I am so impressed with Elenas desire to support every aspect of Red Cross, no matter what her work load, all the while juggling personal and family responsibilities. I can provide better Red Cross care thanks to Elena.
Aaron Teixeira (right) receiving his award from Sr. Community Disaster Program manager, Debbie Yee (left)
Kathy Lenihan (right) receiving his award from Sr. Community Disaster Program manager, Debbie Yee (left)
Kathleen (Kathy) Lenihan is an amazing volunteer; always organized, reliable, and welcoming to everyone. She helped plan one of the first dinner events in San Francisco VA hospital and has shown great leadership and dedication. Her kindness and knowledge leave a lasting impact on those around her.
Bill O’Callahan has to be one of the most kind, friendly, flexible, willing to help anyone volunteer I have met. He is the backbone of Mass Care, assuring Shelter Training classes are taught to city CERT team members in the various cities, HSA and groups that will open and run a shelter in times of disaster.
Bill heads up Government Ops for our county, attending numerous meetings assuring he has his finger on the pulse of things and that the San Mateo team is ready for any upcoming emergency. Bill works very closely with Preparedness mentoring new instructors for BRCR as well as advertising our STA program and obtaining Community groups to canvas and volunteer for the event. He is the well-rounded volunteer that everyone wants to work with!
Bill O’Callahan (middle) receiving his award from Sr. Community Disaster Program manager, Debbie Yee (left), and San Mateo Community Disaster Program manager, Julianna Russell (right)
Janet Rogoff (middle) receiving her award from Sr. Community Disaster Program manager, Debbie Yee (left), and North Bay Executive director, Vincent Valenzuela (right)
Providing superb customer service, internally and externally, is Janet Rogoff’s number one priority. She leads the Marin County Deployment Team by example and inspiration. In 2007, Janet served in Volunteer Services as part of Eva’s team and mastered the full range of duties in Marin County, responding to volunteer inquiries, providing orientations, conducting interviews and making appropriate referrals. She also served as Marin’s Coordinator of Disaster Volunteers, which is now called Disaster Workforce Engagement, before she became our Disaster Deployment Queen. She’s been deployed many times across the country to support Staff Services on the Disaster Relief Operation. Janet is always willing to give extra time and take on extra duties as she did last year for the Annual Recognition event and Holiday party. She delivers the highest level of customer care, always displaying a cheerful “can do” attitude despite of increased workload.
Over the years, Janet has truly been instrumental in assisting volunteers whether orienting, onboarding, training and deploying volunteers. Her talents and professionalism are such an integral part of the Disaster Cycle Services that her presence will leave a huge hole in our hearts once she leaves to retire as a Red Cross volunteer, but the legacy of her contribution will live on in the chapter programs for years to come.
We are indeed grateful to present the Clara Barton Honorary Award for Meritorious Leadership to Janet Rogoff because of her leadership and lifetime of dedicated service.
This award is submitted on behalf of our military partners who work directly with Darryl McCullough.
Darryl volunteers at the clinic approximately 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Darryl has been an important part of the David Grant Medical Center at McClellan Satellite Office for 30 years. Patients come by and give him a hug daily. Darryl does an outstanding job with any task given and looks for more to do. He is the ambassador of First impressions and Customer service. He is open, friendly and easy to talk to. We know that “laughter is good medicine.” Darryl greets everyone with a positive attitude and can be heard laughing and having a great time with the patients.
Darryl McCullough (middle) receiving his award from Sr. Community Disaster Program manager, Debbie Yee (right), and North Bay Executive director, Vincent Valenzuela (left
Sheila Dickson (middle) receiving her award from Sonoma Community Disaster Program manager, Leland Montell (left), and North Bay Executive director, Vincent Valenzuela (right)
Sheila Dickson has built the Napa-Sonoma Disaster Mental Health Team from the ground up. She ensures that the clients receive the assistance they need on their road to recovery in both Disaster Action Team responses and Disaster Operations. Her team is a well-oiled machine, providing services to other counties in addition to Napa-Sonoma. Sheila reflects the values of the Red Cross in every way. In addition, she has single-handedly provided most wildfire assessment referrals over the past two years. She has recently joined the DAT team.
Kevin Sagar is the Marin Red Cross’s James Bond ‘Q’. Though he has not gotten us a specialty vehicle that flies, he is the person-behind-the-curtain making our logistics – every piece of equipment, supply, radio and vehicle – ready for response. Kevin oversaw the disposal and reallocation of office furniture and supplies during our office move. He worked to maximize, reuse and donate, rather than dumping, in support of the Red Cross sustainable practices. Kevin helps coordinate logistics and vehicles in the North Bay. He has been a strong advocate for open communication and information sharing among our area offices. Due to his advocacy, we now have 15 trained specialty vehicle drivers ready to respond locally and nationally in a disaster.
Just like our new NCCR t-shirts says, Vanessa Brown is always “Sleeves Up, Hearts Open and All In.”
Vanessa successfully led volunteers from Solano, Marin and Silicon Valley to present Pillowcase Project and Prepare with Pedro to well over 1000 youth in the calendar year. She responded to every DAT call requested, morning, noon and night and earned her SV role in 2024. She participates in Tabling events, Sound the Alarm, feeding presentations and training. She’s ever ready to help.
Vanessa deployed several times to DROs in 2024. She is an empathetic case worker and loves to help clients with recovery on her DRO assignments. Frosting on the cake, Vanessa was the head chef for Solano’s holiday party with rave reviews. She’s an “All In” American Red Cross volunteer.
Carli Curtis works tirelessly behind the scenes both as a recovery Lead and a DAT duty officer. She is highly competent, dedicated and represents the best qualities of a true Red Crosser.
Vanessa Brown (middle) receiving her award from Sr. Community Disaster Program manager, Debbie Yee (left), and North Bay Executive director, Vincent Valenzuela (right)
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
