American Red Cross
Heart of the Valley Chapter
65 North Commerce St.
Stockton, CA 95202
redcross.org/centralcoast
Media Contact: Kathryn Hecht
Telephone: 707-291-9601
kathryn.hecht@redcross.org
STOCKTON, Calif. (June 8, 2021) — The American Red Cross Heart of the valley Chapter honored seven local residents and one community partner at a recent recognition event for chapter volunteers from Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced Counties. The annual event was held virtually on April 1 due to COVID-19 precautions.
At the event, Carl and Jane Knowles of San Joaquin County received the American Red Cross Teamwork and Collaboration Award. The Knowles completed 1,200 volunteer hours collectively in 2020. The Knowles are revered by their fellow Red Crossers for their dedication and flexibility, and they are lauded for their consistent recruitment efforts within the broader community.
"Carl and Jane are the embodiment of compassion turned to action," said Nicole Massey, Senior Volunteer Engagement Manager. “Their contributions have been absolutely critical in ensuring that the transportation of lifesaving blood products continued, especially as we navigated the unexpected pivot that 2020 demanded."
In addition to the Teamwork and Collaboration Award, the following awards were also given to local volunteers at the Red Cross recognition event:
New Volunteer Award - Lucy Villanueva (Stanislaus)
Biomedical Services Award - David Hansen (Stanislaus)
Good Neighbor and Partnership Award - Dale Butler with Latino Emergency Council of Stanislaus County
Youth Services Award - Kalani Esguerra (San Joaquin)
Disaster Cycle Services Award: Extraordinary Commitment & Dedication - Nancy Reeves (Stanislaus)
Disaster Cycle Services Award for Leadership - Irene Johnson (Merced)
Other volunteers were celebrated for the large number of hours they devoted to Red Cross service during the 2020 calendar year.
While the annual event spotlights several key volunteers, the event is designed to acknowledge all of the local Red Cross volunteers. “Our dedicated and wonderful volunteers have continued to support the mission of the Red Cross, even during this challenging time of COVID-19,” says Massey. “Their selfless contributions of time and energy make the work of the Red Cross possible.”
Become a Red Cross Volunteer:
You, too, can make a difference in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced Counties by becoming a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Volunteers constitute about 90 percent of the total Red Cross workforce that carries out our humanitarian work. Red Cross volunteers are trained to meet the needs of those affected by disasters - providing food, shelter, and comfort to 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. To find the position that appeals to you and allows you to use your skills and talents, email Felicia Woolfolk, Recruitment Manager, at felicia.woolfolk@redcross.org.
About American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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 visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.