Media Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: (669) 209-5266
nccrpublicaffairs@redcross.org
SAN JOSE, CA. July 30, 2024 —The American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter honored local residents and community partners at their annual recognition event for chapter volunteers from Santa Clara County on April 17.
At the event, Larry Dietz of San Jose 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.
Larry has dedicated 25 years of his life to the Red Cross mission. With a distinguished, decorated career in Psychological Operations (PSYOP), Military Intelligence and law practice, Larry brings a wealth of knowledge to the Red Cross. As a volunteer partner for the Communications department, his guidance has been invaluable, helping shape the skills and perspectives of volunteers and staff.
Larry's passion for writing and photography has become a powerful tool to spotlight the resiliency of volunteers and community. He captures the mission in action, amplifying the voices of those we serve and inspiring his fellow Red Crossers to engage in different capacities within the organization.
His commitment to service extends beyond his individual efforts, as he volunteers alongside his wife, Liz Dietz, a fellow Red Crosser of more than 40 years. Together, they enrich our Service to the Armed Forces activities such as Red Cross briefings at local military installations and event support at San Francisco Fleet Week.
Larry's role as an active International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Expert Instructor since 2019 underscores his commitment to upholding the principles of humanity in times of conflict. His willingness to share his expertise, including leading the eight-hour “Humanity in War” class, demonstrates his dedication to educating and empowering volunteers across the country, including the Pacific Islands. His contributions, spanning various roles across several lines of service, are essential to our region.
Hawley Rising was also honored with the Regional International Services Award.
An often-forgotten part of the American Red Cross, International Services are the stewards of the Geneva Conventions (International Humanitarian Law) and work to reconnect immigrant families (Restoring Family Links – RFL) separated by war, disasters, forced migration or any humanitarian crises by looking for missing loved ones. Hawley Rising is our longest-running RFL caseworker in the Northern California Coastal Region as well as the Pacific Division. More importantly is his consistent leadership in mentoring new caseworkers while still taking on some of the most challenging search cases for unaccompanied minors and human trafficking victims. He is a creative problem solver. He recently found a missing family member by submitting a missing person’s report to the local police. He is respected and well-known in his local community of immigrant service organizations. At the last World Refugee Day in Oakland, he was mentioned by name for his strong representation and commitment to this population. He leads the World Refuge Day and many other cultural events in his chapter. These are the real actions for inclusion and diversity. Hawley has also created and hosts for NCCR an International Humanitarian Law (IHL) reading group and a movie night always striving to bring humanity to war by educating us all. He is also a master IHL instructor.
In addition, the following awards were given to local volunteers:
“I’m proud to see how our Silicon Valley Chapter volunteers’ efforts have brought hope and relief to those in need,” said Ken Toren, Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter Executive Director. “Thank you for being the force behind our mission’s success”.
While the annual recognition event spotlights several key Red Cross volunteers, it serves as a celebration to honor the work of all local volunteers who dedicate many hours of service to the Red Cross and their local communities.
Pictures from the event can be viewed here.
Become a Red Cross Volunteer:
Community members can make a difference in Santa Clara County 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 the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley
With a local office in San Jose, 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/siliconvalley or call us at (877) 727-6771. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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