Your Red Cross Update

BURLINGAME, CA (August 29, 2018) — The American Red Cross of the Bay Area honored 14 individual volunteers, a youth club, and a community partner at its recent Recognition Lunch for San Mateo County volunteers. The annual event was held at Holbrook-Palmer Park in Atherton.

At the lunch, Jim Holley of Half Moon Bay received the San Mateo County Volunteer of the Year Award. The afternoon’s other top honor, the Clara Barton Award, named after the founder of the Red Cross, was given to Keith Hoffman of Redwood City.

Jim Holley has served faithfully on the Red Cross team that responds to local disasters and has provided bilingual support to Red Cross casework in San Mateo County, said Pamela Baze, a Volunteer and Youth Services Manager for the Red Cross in the county. “But the largest impact of what Jim does may not be seen by many,” Baze added, “and that’s building positive and productive relationships with local government officials and agencies.”

Baze said Keith Hoffman is very deserving of the Clara Barton Award, which recognizes volunteer service in a series of leadership positions held over a number of years. Keith recently became the Red Cross’ Disaster Chair for San Mateo County, while continuing in his role of Logistics Administrator and helping to manage the local sheltering program. “Keith has also made himself available to help with the Sound the Alarm program,” Baze added. “He is well respected by all for his integrity, great attitude, and ability to make everyone feel part of the team.”

Trevor Riggen, CEO for the Bay Area Chapter and the entire Northern California Coastal Region, was on hand at the event to congratulate Holley, Hoffman, and the afternoon’s other award recipients:

• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Outstanding Support: Eric Leong (San Mateo)
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Exceptional Leadership: Laura Hovden (Woodside)
• Disaster Cycle Services Award – Extraordinary Commitment and Dedication: Joe McAndrew and Linda Frattaroli (recently relocated to Atlanta, GA)
• Biomedical Services Volunteer of the Year Award: Donna Gordon (Half Moon Bay)
• Administration and Support Award: Prudence Bothen (Pacifica)
• New Volunteer Award: Ann Kutchins (San Mateo) and Tonya Katches (San Bruno
• The Youth Services Award: Lance Kyi (Daly City)
• Community Engagement Award: Mark Zuckerman (Burlingame
• Teamwork Award: SM YES Club (youth club) from (San Mateo County)
• Collaboration Award: LouAnne Williams (South San Francisco
• Volunteer Supervisor Award: Allison Biddinger (San Francisco)
• Good Neighbor and Partnership Award: Ken Anderson (South San Francisco Fire Department and chair of the San Mateo County Emergency Managers Association Mass Care Working Group)

Baze said the annual event, which honors key volunteers, also gives the Red Cross an important opportunity to acknowledge all of its 507 San Mateo County 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.

The event was emceed by Kristen Sze, a news anchor for KGO-TV in San Francico. Photos from the lunch can be found on the Bay Area Chapter’s Flickr site at: flic.kr/s/aHsmkcDcFY.

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Become a Red Cross Volunteer: You can make a difference in San Mateo County 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.