Your Red Cross Update

By Larry Dietz

San Francisco has always had a special relationship with the US Navy. One example of that is San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW), which began in 1981. The annual celebration of America’s sea services takes place over Italian Heritage Weekend in October on the Marina Green.

Through its core mission of Support to Armed Forces (SAF), the American Red Cross has been a consistent and strong supporter of Fleet Week. Along with the Armed Forces and other community organizations, the Red Cross volunteers provide a glimpse into many aspects of their work by exhibiting on the Marina Green during the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of SFFW.

In one area, three cots were set up to provide a glimpse of life in a shelter; the cots also served as a respite for people, especially mothers with small children, who needed a break.

Youth volunteers from a number of Bay Area High Schools also helped out by showing children and other passers-by how to perform hands-only CPR. They also gave out Red Cross preparedness literature and other material.

And disaster volunteers were on hand to address questions about Disaster Preparedness and to show off the latest in preparedness kits. Biomedical Services had a mobile facility where they were able to draw blood donations each day.

All of the Red Cross volunteers at the event’s Humanitarian Assistance Village were able to mingle with military service members and learn about their roles. In the process, they were rewarded with a front row seat to watch the world famous Blue Angels in action.

Join us next year!

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About the author: Larry Dietz is a Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army Reserve, as well as a dedicated Red Cross public affairs volunteer in the Silicon Valley Chapter.