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SAN JOSE, CA (December 16, 2020) — The American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley honored nine local volunteers at a recent recognition event for chapter volunteers from Santa Clara County. The annual event, originally planned as an in-person event this past spring, was delayed and then held virtually on December 3 because of COVID-19 precautions.
At the event, Liz Dietz of San Jose received the American Red Cross's top honor, the Clara Barton Award. Named after the founder of the Red Cross, the award recognizes a volunteer for service in a series of leadership positions held over a number of years.
Dietz has been a Red Cross volunteer for 40 years, having joined the organization in 1980. In those four decades of work, she has been a tireless advocate of the Red Cross, holding many leadership roles in Disaster Cycle Services, Service to the Armed Forces, and in other lines of service.
"In recognition of her many years of leadership and service, the local chapter was proud to present Liz with our Clara Barton award this year," said Ken Toren, CEO of the Silicon Valley Chapter. "While we were thrilled to honor Liz during this event, she has really honored us with the work that she has done for many years in support of so many in our local communities."
In addition to the Clara Barton Award, the following awards were also given to local volunteers at the recognition event:
Other volunteers were also celebrated for the large number of hours they devoted to Red Cross service during the 2019 calendar year, said event emcee Jonathan Bernier, the chapter's Volunteer and Youth Services Engagement Manager.
"In just Santa Clara County, we have nearly 900 volunteers," said Bernier, the chapter's Volunteer and Youth Services Engagement Manager. "Locally, they are at the core of the Red Cross mission to help prevent and alleviate suffering in our communities."
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Become a Red Cross Volunteer: You too can make a difference in Silicon Valley 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 VolunteerSVC@redcross.org to get started.
About the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley: With a local office in San Jose, 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, visit our web site at redcross.org/siliconvalley or call us at 877-727-6771. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.