Media Contact: Aileen Blomdal
(669) 209-5266 | NCCRPublicAffairs@redcross.org
SAN JOSE, July 09, 2026 — The American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter honored local residents and community partners at the 2026 Chapter Awards and Recognition Events, held at the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino.
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. Mary Ann Reilly from Sunnyvale was awarded this year’s highest honor.
Over the years, Mary Ann has steadily expanded her leadership across the chapter, becoming a key driver of operational readiness and team development.
As co-lead of Disaster Health Services, she runs weekly meetings, organizes supply inventories, strengthens preparedness through “go-bags” and ensures strong onboarding and mentorship for new volunteers. She also supports team cohesion by creating opportunities for connection outside of work.
As Disaster Co-Chair, she has taken on expanded leadership responsibilities, including mentoring staff, supporting office improvements and contributing to key program development such as the Red Cross Care Toolkit and Individual Disaster Care trainings. She consistently supports events from setup through cleanup and serves as backup to regional leadership.
Across all roles, she is a steady, supportive leader who uplifts others, strengthens teams and helps drive programs forward.
Other Chapter & Regional Awards
In addition, the following awards were given to local Red Crossers and partners:
“We’re celebrating something truly incredible; we’re celebrating the people who show up and give their time, energy and compassion,” said Justin Mueller, CEO of the Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. “Our volunteers spend countless hours preparing for moments we all hope never happen. And when those moments do arrive, we see more than their skills, but their character as well.”
Pictures
View Silicon Valley Chapter photos here.
Become a Red Cross Volunteer
Community members can make a difference in the South Bay Area by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. 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 aid 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:
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, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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