Media Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: (510) 368-8320
martin.gagliano@redcross.org
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. June 27, 2022 —— The American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter honored 16 local residents and one community partner at their annual recognition event – held virtually this year - for chapter volunteers from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties on June 6.
At the event, Jamshid Kiani received the chapter’s top honor, the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Leadership. Named after the founder of the Red Cross, the award recognizes a volunteer for their years of service in various leadership positions.
In his seven years as Red Cross volunteer, Kiani has achieved both experience and leadership in multiple disaster roles. He has 46 disaster response deployments under his belt, including two extended deployments in the Virgin Islands and Oregon. In Northern California, he works with the Regional Response Management Team, and is a disaster response instructor for new Red Cross disaster teams and volunteers. This award honors Kiani’s ongoing dedication to the Red Cross mission and its fundamental principles.
In addition to the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Leadership, the following awards were given to local volunteers:
While the annual recognition event spotlights several key Red Cross volunteers, it is designed to acknowledge and honor the work of all local volunteers who dedicate many hours in service to the Red Cross and their local communities.
“I am truly inspired by the time and energy volunteers dedicate each day to support the mission of the Red Cross and make our work possible,” said Michele Averill, Red Cross Central Coast Chapter CEO. “This past year, 321 Central Coast Chapter volunteers contributed more than 16,820 hours supporting our communities during their greatest time of need.”
Volunteers represent 90% of the Red Cross workforce. As disasters continue within the area, Red Cross volunteers help ensure families never face these emergencies alone.
Become a Red Cross Volunteer:
Community members can make a difference in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. As this year’s heightened wildfire outlook continues a years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters, volunteers are continually trained to meet the needs of those affected by disasters – providing food, shelter, and comfort to families; and they help local residents prepare for and recover from emergencies of all kinds. Red Cross volunteers also provide assistance to military members, veterans and their families; support the collection of 40% of the nation’s blood; and provide humanitarian aid across the globe. Those interested in finding the right position for their specific skills and talents can visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started.
About American Red Cross of the Central Coast
With offices in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit our website at redcross.org/centralcoast or call us at (831) 624-6921. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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