By Joe Gutierrez, American Red Cross volunteer

In these times of continuing weather uncertainty, communities have to deal with more and more natural disasters, including massive floods, fast-spreading wildfires, and devastating hurricanes and tornados, as they sadly take center stage in people’s lives.

Step in non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross, whose mission is to help people in affected communities.

As any Red Crosser can tell you, this work can’t be done without the additional support of volunteers, donors, community and corporate partners. One such partner is retailer Circle K, one of the largest convenience store brands in the U.S., with a network of over 6,800 locations serving customers across 48 states. Circle K has supported the work of the Red Cross for over a decade.

The West Coast Business Unit (BU) of Circle K regularly hosts their annual Drive for Pride Golf Tournament, accompanied by a silent auction, with donations supporting initiatives that foster stronger communities through disaster preparedness, response and recovery, blood services, support of military members, veterans and their families and more. 

Everyday Circle K West Coast BU stores offer customers an opportunity to make a donation when checking out at the register, which is used to advance the Red Cross mission. Additionally, Circle K regularly hosts blood drives throughout the Red Cross Southern California Region.

“We’re grateful for the partnership between Circle K West and the Red Cross,” said Lois Beckman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Riverside County Chapter. “This partnership has benefited our community for more than 10 years. Circle K’s ongoing support funds local Red Cross services, allowing us to prepare for and respond to disasters and be there for families when they need us most.”

But Circle K’s commitment is also advanced through its employees, many of whom have had their own Red Cross experiences during natural disasters. These include receiving aid, serving as volunteers, or witnessing their communities being helped by the non-profit.

Bridgette Bryant, a dealer business manager who oversees 50 Circle K accounts throughout Southern California, learned of the Red Cross’s good work while living in Okinawa, Japan, where her then-husband was stationed in the military.

Bridgette’s mother, who lived in Las Vegas, had suffered a heart attack, and the family needed to come home immediately. Her husband called the Red Cross, which in turn notified her husband’s commander through the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program. That night, with financial assistance from the Red Cross, she and their two children were on a plane headed back to the U.S. Her husband joined them the next day. Her mother survived, and Bridgette never forgot the help they received.

“The Red Cross covered the cost of our round-trip tickets to get there and back. They offered to pay for groceries or any incidentals. But at that point, all we needed was a ticket to get back to Okinawa,” Bridgette said. “We didn't need the extra stuff. But they offered. It was awesome.”

Fast forward to about four years later. Bridgette and her family returned to the United States and purchased a house in the Temecula area of Riverside County. A couple with three small children were renting their next-door neighbor’s house. The house caught fire, and the Red Cross was there to provide financial assistance, food, and clothing to the family, Bridgette said.

“The Red Cross got them set up with clothes and groceries and provided ongoing support,” she said.

For Lisa Vaughn, who works in Pasco, Washington, as a mentor training managers for Circle K outlets, her experiences with the Red Cross came when she was working in Florida.

“That's where I got to deal with the Red Cross quite a bit, with all the hurricanes and stuff,” Lisa said. “It was really sad. (Hurricane) Andrew came through in '92. I will always have that memory because if it were not for the Red Cross, I know families that would have died.”

“That's no joke. There was no water, no food, nothing,” Lisa said. "The Red Cross came in and assisted. My husband and I volunteered to help with the Red Cross, and we assisted in distributing packages at a shelter as well."

Jackie Jackson, a district manager in the Seattle area for Circle K, has her own memories of the Red Cross.

Her father served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years, with about 20 of those years overseas. Twice, her father was flown back to the United States, once from the Philippines, the other from Spain, to be at the funerals of his parents, Jackie said.

Both times, the Red Cross through its Hero Care Network contacted her father’s commanding officers, arranged for the flights back to the U.S., arranged to pick up her father, and then took him back to the airport for the flight back to his family overseas, she said.

Another Red Cross memory for Jackie hits even closer home. The family had moved back to the U.S. Her younger sisters were racing home on their bikes after buying Valentine’s Day presents. One rode on the sidewalk, the other on the street. After racing around the corner, her sister was hit head on by a car, her mouth hitting the hood ornament. As the driver tried to drive off, the car dragged Jackie’s sister and the bike further under the car and further injuring her mouth. Jackie’s sister, who was 11 at the time, received at least four pints of blood in the hospital.

“The Red Cross was there. Obviously, if other people hadn't given blood, my sister wouldn't have lived,” Jackie said. “After my sister got out of the hospital, my mom and I made a pact with each other that we would give blood every opportunity. Because  someone else donated so that my sister could live, we provided blood so that somebody else's sister or daughter could live.”

Her sister has long since recovered, but Jackie continues to donate blood.

“At last count, I was at 11 gallons of blood when I lived in San Diego. I was a pretty regular giver,” Jackie said. “Every eight weeks, I gave blood. The blood guys knew me, almost by name, most of the time. They would let my kids come with and sit on my lap.”

Jackie recounts those personal experiences when people come to Circle K and she asks them to donate to the Red Cross containers at the counter.

“I tell them my experiences... I tell them, they save lives. They help fire victims,” Jackie said. “I want to talk about what the Red Cross does. They jump in if you have a fire in your home, if you have a person in the military and you need some support and if you need blood. Those are the things that are near and dear to me because I have been the recipient of that.”

Bridgette also tells her customers that the Red Cross is always there to help.

“I'm not sure how many years ago this was when they had the real big fires and half of Southern California was on fire. I know that there was a big fire up in the Victorville-Barstow area,” Bridgette said. “There was an actual Circle K employee who lost their home and the Red Cross was there. The employee was actually on one of the Ambassador trips when they lost their home, and Circle K got them back home, but the Red Cross was right there to help them out.”

For Lisa, one thing stands out when she thinks of the Red Cross.

“How lucky we are to have them,” Lisa said. “Anytime I'm at the register and somebody has change in their hand, I let them know that I have witnessed firsthand, not only the devastations from the hurricanes that Red Cross helped with. I've had family members that have had blood and emergencies, and the Red Cross has come through. Red Cross holds a special place in my heart.”