Your Red Cross Update

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 29, 2018) — The American Red Cross of the Bay Area honored 18 individual volunteers, a youth club board, and a partner association at its recent Recognition Dinner for San Francisco volunteers. The annual event was held at GAP Headquarters in the city.

At the dinner, George de Bruin of San Francisco received the San Francisco Volunteer of the Year Award. The evening’s other top honor, the Clara Barton Award, named after the founder of the Red Cross, was given to Donna Logan of San Francisco.

George de Bruin is engaged in eight different Red Cross activities, including service as a Casework Coordinator, said Pamela Baze, a Volunteer and Youth Services Manager for the Red Cross in San Francisco. “He has garnered the trust and support of the San Francisco Disaster Recovery volunteer workforce and has effectively managed, motivated, mentored, and engaged the Recovery Team,” Baze said. “He exemplifies the very best qualities of a Red Cross volunteer.“

Baze said Donna Logan is very deserving of the Clara Barton Award, which recognizes volunteer service in a series of leadership positions held over a number of years. Logan is a longtime Community Engagement Coordinator, leads the team responding to local disasters, is a Client Casework Supervisor, and supports community events. “Donna also serves as a liaison to our government and community partners, while also providing guidance to Red Cross volunteers and teams,” Baze said.

Trevor Riggen, CEO for the Bay Area Chapter and the entire Northern California Coastal Region, served as emcee for the event. In that capacity, he was on hand to congratulate de Bruin, Logan, and the evening’s other award recipients, all of whom reside in San Francisco:

• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Outstanding Support: A.J. Cook
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Exceptional Response: Barry Gruber
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Exceptional Leadership: Amanda Wade
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication: Ned Burgess
• Health and Safety Services Award: Yvonne Du, youth volunteer
• Biomedical Services Volunteer of the Year Award: Gail de Martis
• Administration and Support Award: Taz Reza
• New Volunteer Award: Naimiti Vora
• The Youth Services Award: Shannon Zhong and Stephanie Wong
• Community Engagement Award: Bill Jeong
• Teamwork Award: San Francisco/San Mateo County Youth Executive Board
• Collaboration Award: Samantha Proteau, Jing Wen, and Sarah Ngo, adult volunteers serving as youth coordinators; and Kim Stevens, for her work on a Taproot grant
• Volunteer Supervisor Award: Paul Hamilton
• Good Neighbor and Partnership Award: Fleet Week Association (accepted by Lewis Loeven)

Baze said the annual event, which honors key volunteers, also gives the Red Cross an important opportunity to acknowledge all of its 676 San Francisco volunteers. In fact, many volunteers were honored at the event in acknowledgement of the large number of hours they devoted to Red Cross activities during the 2017 calendar year.

“Our volunteers are the core of the Red Cross mission to help prevent and alleviate suffering in our communities,” Baze said.

Photos from the dinner can be found on the Bay Area Chapter’s Flickr site at: flic.kr/s/aHsmmjtcbj.

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Become a Red Cross Volunteer: You can make a difference in San Francisco by becoming a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Volunteers constitute about 94 percent of the total Red Cross workforce to carry out our humanitarian work. Red Cross volunteers are trained to meet the needs of those affected by disasters, providing food, shelter, and comfort for 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. We’ll find the position that appeals to you and allows you to use your skills and talents. Email arcbav@redcross.org to get started.

About the American Red Cross of the Bay Area: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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 call 415-427-8000 or visit redcross.org/bayarea to learn more. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.