Your Red Cross Update

By Larry Dietz, Public Affairs Officer

All of us have been to the Holiday Party where you are asked to bring a “White Elephant” or modestly priced gift to exchange. When your number is called, you dread walking over to the pile of gifts and picking what you are sure will be something you would never buy for yourself and would more than likely end up at your local second-hand store.

Dr. Charles Renner and his wife, Susan, of Concord decided to do something different this year. They had been following reports of the devastation of the Camp Fire. While neither they nor their families were personally affected, they felt a kinship with those who were. “I just imagined myself in their shoes,” Susanne said.

Recognizing that those impacted by the fire needed flexible financial support, the Renners, their family, and extended friends pooled their resources and drove to the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on Christmas Day. They hoped to be able to personally present their gifts along with a supportive hug to the people at the Silver Dollar complex, but quickly realized that this would be impossible because of the large number of people there.

Their generous donation was given to the Red Cross, which in turn will be working with St. Vincent DePaul to ensure that Renner’s generosity will benefit those who needed the help.

The Red Cross thanks Dr. and Mrs. Renner for their kindness and generosity.