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BURLINGAME, CA (May 28, 2019) — The American Red Cross of the Bay Area honored 9 individual volunteers, a volunteer team, and a community partner at its recent Recognition Lunch for San Mateo County volunteers. The annual event was held at Aviation Museum at San Francisco International Airport.

At the lunch, LouAnne Williams of Half Moon Bay received the San Mateo County Volunteer of the Year Award.

"LouAnne is an extraordinary and multi-dimensional leader," says Eva Marquez, the Volunteer and Youth Services Manager for the Red Cross in the county. "She serves in multiple leadership roles as our Individual/Community Preparedness Coordinator, Pillowcase Project Team Leader, Sound the Alarm Team Leader, Community Preparedness Education Team Leader, and Community Events Coordinator."

Marquez adds that Williams "runs our preparedness programs like a well-oiled machine. LouAnne is truly deserving of the Volunteer of the Year award for San Mateo County."

The other recipients of special volunteer awards at this year's recognition lunch are:

• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Outstanding Support: Joe Roberts (San Bruno)
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Exceptional Response: Susan Park (Redwood City)
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Exceptional Leadership: Carol Masterson (Burlingame)
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication: Julie Lynn (San Mateo)
• General Services Award: Mike Yamamoto (South San Francisco)
• New Volunteer Award: Doug Kunze (San Bruno)
• Community Engagement Award: Bill O’Callahan (Redwood City)
• Good Neighbor and Partnership Award: Trinity Presbyterian Church
• Teamwork Award: Deployment and Volunteer & Youth Services Team, comprised of Jackie Bell (Belmont), Lita Gumfer (Daly City), Laura Hovden (Woodside), Lelie Toy (Belmont), Diane Wilson (South San Francisco, and Mike Yee (Foster City).
• Volunteer Supervisor Award: Robert Mougeot (San Carlos)

Marquez says the annual event, which honors key volunteers, also gives the Red Cross an important opportunity to acknowledge all of its 476 San Mateo County volunteers. In fact, many other volunteers were honored at the event in acknowledgement of the large number of hours they devoted to Red Cross activities during the 2018 calendar year.

"Our volunteers are the core of the Red Cross mission to help prevent and alleviate suffering in our communities," Marquez says.

Photos from the lunch can be found on the Bay Area Chapter's Flickr site at: flic.kr/s/aHsmboH8FF.

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Become a Red Cross Volunteer: You can make a difference in San Mateo County by becoming a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Volunteers constitute about 94 percent of the total Red Cross workforce to carry out our humanitarian work. Red Cross volunteers are trained to meet the needs of those affected by disasters, providing food, shelter, and comfort for families affected by major disasters such as fires, floods, and earthquakes as well as helping local residents prepare for and recover from emergencies of all kinds. We’ll find the position that appeals to you and allows you to use your skills and talents. Email arcbav@redcross.org to get started.

About the American Red Cross of the Bay Area: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please call 415-427-8000 or visit redcross.org/bayarea to learn more. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.