Media Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: (669) 209-5266
nccrpublicaffairs@redcross.org

SANTA ROSA, CA. July 30, 2024 —— The American Red Cross North Bay Chapter honored local residents and  community partners at their annual recognition event for chapter volunteers from Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Solano Counties on June 4. 

At the event, Lois Roth from Marin County and Maryellen Taylor from Sonoma County 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.

Lois has been instrumental in supporting our volunteers and the people we serve since joining the Red Cross in 2018. They immediately leaped into action by supporting the Disaster Health Services and Recovery teams. Eventually, they took a leadership position in those areas, holding it for several years. They are seen as a true leader who is always available to support their team members in assisting those affected by disasters throughout the recovery process. Since joining the Disaster Cycle Services team, Lois has been dedicated to supporting clients with a mission-driven attitude and heart. They have also stepped up to fulfill leadership roles such as Disaster Co-Chair to help strengthen our program and build our local capacity within Marin County.

Maryellen is a seasoned volunteer with more than 14 years as a Disaster Basic Instructor, teaching First Aid and Disaster Mental Health (DMH) classes locally and regionally. She has served in DMH and as a Recovery Caseworker in more than 30 disaster relief operations at both local and national levels. As DMH Coordinator, she conducts DMH follow-ups for our volunteers, staff, and the people we serve during disasters in a timely and compassionate way. She has been a Disaster Action Team Captain and Supervisor for seven years. With more than five years as a Community Educator and presenter for The Pillowcase Project regional team, she is committed to ensuring no one faces emergencies alone and that every family is prepared to act when disaster happens. Maryellen brings an abundance of kindness, compassion, humor, flexibility, persistence, and dedication that exemplifies the heart of a true Red Cross volunteer.

In addition, Razi Aftab of Solano County and Suzie Hall of Sonoma County were also honored with the Regional Team Spirit Award and the following awards were given to local volunteers: 

• Biomedical Services – Donor Ambassador Award: Veda Florez (Marin), Julie Gomez (Solano), Isabel Lenssen (Sonoma)
• Department Support Services Award: Pamela Ingram (Solano), Dave Simmons (Sonoma)
• Disaster Cycle Services – Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication Award: Lyra Kelly (Marin), Ana Suarez (Napa), Phil Arsich (Solano), Carli Curtis (Sonoma)
• Disaster Cycle Services – Leadership Award: Sue Yeres (Marin), Linda Schill (Napa), Alzinia Palin (Solano), Cindy Jones (Sonoma)
•  Good Neighbor and Partnership Award: The Salvation Army of Sonoma/Napa, Chipotle Mexican Grill of Solano County, Lt Col Doris Wegner and Erin Repko of Travis Airforce Base, Service to the Armed Forces Staff Sergeant Amanda Caballero and the Travis Airforce Base’s Emergency Management team.
• New Volunteer Award: Levi Eastwood (Marin), Jose Nuno (Solano), William “Bill” Dorsey (Sonoma)
• Community Engagement Award: Lynda Hoppenrath (Solano), North Bay Chapter Disaster Cycle Services Onboarding Team (Hilary King, Janet Rogoff and Lynn Slack)
• Service to the Armed Forces Award: Janis Dmytriw (Solano)
• Teamwork and Collaboration Award: The Napa/Sonoma Wildfire Preparedness Team, the North Bay Logistics Team, Kevin Sagar (Marin) and Brandon Shook (Regional Operations Team), Solano and Marin County Pillowcase Project Team, North Bay Awards and Recognition Committee (Mitchell Ablove and Pamela Nachtigall).
• Youth Services Award: Razi Aftab (Solano)
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Kay Tsenin (Marin), Pamela Chapell (Napa), John Williams (Solano), Ben Greenberg (Sonoma).

“North Bay Chapter volunteers consistently turn their compassion into action, ensuring no one faces emergencies alone,” said Vincent Valenzuela, Red Cross North Bay Chapter Executive Director. “We thank you for your dedicated service to both the Red Cross and to the residents of Napa, Marin, Sonoma and Solano Counties. We are honored that you’ve chosen to devote your time and talents to supporting our communities”.

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 Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Volunteers represent 90% of the Red Cross workforce, and 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 North Bay

With local offices in Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma 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/northbay or call us at (707) 577-7600. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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