As floods ravaged Planada, a small community in central California’s Merced County in 2023, Valley Onward, a local community non-profit organization, deployed its resources to help the local community respond and recover. They advised local residents on how to apply for financial assistance and led community discussions on where to find resources. As part of that process, Valley Onward applied for a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services to bolster its response to the floods and create a more resilient community in Merced County. For Valley Onward, the eventual funding it received was a pleasant surprise. It would allow Valley Onward to strengthen its mission of creating lasting changes in health, housing, education and other areas. There were more surprises to come, however.
The Valley Onward team applied for a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services.
That is because before applying for the grant, Valley Onward began researching other emergency service organizations in Merced County. As Valley Onward project manager Joana Alfaro explains, “That’s when we first heard about the American Red Cross. We realized there were so many different ways to support and work with the Red Cross.”
Each year, our chapter proudly honors two extraordinary individuals whose dedication and service embody the very heart of the American Red Cross mission. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who has made a significant impact over the past year—contributing meaningfully to our operations, programs, and services while exemplifying the true spirit of volunteerism. The Clara Barton Honor Award for Meritorious Leadership, our chapter’s highest, once-in-a-lifetime recognition, celebrates a volunteer whose sustained leadership and collaborative spirit over many years have helped shape and strengthen our ability to serve the community. Join us in celebrating this year’s remarkable honorees.
In early January, a series of devastating wildfires tore through the Los Angeles metro area, leaving destruction in their wake. The fires, which impacted multiple neighborhoods, resulted in at least 29 deaths, the destruction of over 16,000 structures, and dangerously unhealthy air quality affecting millions. As communities continue to recover from this disaster, businesses and organizations across California have stepped up to provide support.
Samantha, Naiel Ammari’s daughter, evacuated from Calabasas during the devasting wildfires.
One such business is Best RV Center, a family-operated dealership located in Turlock, Calif. Established in 1997 by Naiel Ammari and his brother Nazeh, Best RV Center has grown into one of the largest RV dealerships in the region. Situated on 20 acres along Route 99, the dealership boasts an impressive inventory of 1,700 RVs, offering a wide range of models to customers from across the state.
When the wildfires broke out in January, the devastation hit close to home for Naiel. His daughter Samantha, a graduate student at Pepperdine University, was among those affected. Living in Calabasas, she faced difficulties commuting to school due to road closures. With no water or internet access, she and other students found support from the American Red Cross, which provided shelter, clothing, water and essential supplies to those affected by the fires. Pepperdine University was forced to close temporarily, shifting classes online, and Samantha chose to leave the area and drive eight hours back home to Turlock.
Recognizing Susan Winters, Heart of the Valley Chapter’s Clara Barton Award Winner
By Selena Nisha
Photo courtesy of Susan Winters
After retiring from a career as a speech therapist and school secretary, Susan Winters from Modesto, California found herself searching for new ways to stay engaged in her community. Susan has always believed in the importance of giving back. Her parents were active in community service and instilled in her the values of volunteerism and compassion towards others. This passion for service led her to the American Red Cross in 2010, and her contribution to the organization was recently recognized with the Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Leadership. Named after the founder of the Red Cross, the award recognizes a volunteer for their years of service in various leadership positions.
Every year, our region honors volunteers who best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism with the prestigious, “Volunteer of the Year Award”. These awardees are exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions over the past calendar year, serving in multiple roles and across various lines of service.
Meet our Volunteers of the Year from across the region:
Sheryl Calija Bay Area Chapter Manteca, CA
Sheryl Calija has been part of the Red Cross in Alameda since 2021, and she has been integral to the Disaster Action Team (DAT). Every month, she ensures their schedule is posted, accurate, and easily accessible, becoming a model for other territories. She has also been a very helpful guide when onboarding new volunteers.
“I was absolutely shocked when I learned I was getting this award and very proud to be recognized for my work,” said Sheryl.
Sheryl joined the Red Cross after she moved back to California and wanted to volunteer. She was excited when she got a position as a DAT Duty Officer. After a while, she wanted a position that would further allow her to interact with those affected by disasters so she became a caseworker. Sheryl had to take a step back due to family commitments, but she has continued being a valued volunteer with her scheduling contributions.
Linda Crippin Bay Area Chapter Brentwood, CA
After retiring, Linda Crippin wanted to continue helping others, so she decided to join the Red Cross. She currently serves as a Recovery Coordinator, overseeing a strong team of caseworkers, routinely assisting other chapters in training new caseworkers and helping with multi-unit family fire response in Contra Costa County and other territories. She volunteers for Sound the Alarm events and leads one of the smoke alarm installation teams for the Home Fire Campaign. In addition, she is a very active Presentation Assistant for two youth programs – The Pillowcase Project and Prepare with Pedro – and connected with organizations to gather donations for disaster victims. She has also led multiple Integrated Care and Condolence Teams.
One of her most memorable moments with the Red Cross was when she assisted with recovery efforts from tornados in Oklahoma in 2013, where she saw the suffering that disasters can bring. “I was very humbled and honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. I never thought I would be worthy of such an esteemed honor. I am grateful to those who nominated me and only hope I can maintain the quality of work that brought me such recognition,” said Linda.
Beverly Bernhardson Heart of the Valley Chapter Stockton, CA
Beverly inherited her dedication to volunteerism from her family. Her parents always helped others, and her father was a regular blood donor. She began volunteering with Red Cross after her oldest son joined a Boy Scouts of America troop sponsored by the Red Cross in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“I have never been one to expect rewards for my work. I grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and learned at a young age to work hard. Seeing the end result of your hard work was your payment and made you feel like you had accomplished something. It is good to know that others appreciate the work I do and have recognized me for it. I hope to continue volunteering for the Red Cross for many more years and hearing more stories from everyone,” said Beverly.
Kay Tsenin North Bay Chapter Novato, CA
Kay Tsenin is the lead of the North Bay Chapter’s Sound the Alarm (STA) program and regularly volunteers as a Disaster Action Team member. Under her leadership, the local STA team has exceeded all goals for individual and event-based smoke alarm installations.
“I am very proud to have received the award. It is really an award for the whole team. I do not do this work alone. It is truly a team effort, and I am just the band leader of this incredible team of volunteers,” said Kay.
Originally from Shanghai, China, Kay noticed the work of Red Cross volunteers ever since she was five. In 2017, she felt compelled to volunteer herself at a local disaster center in Oakland, during the Bay Area wildfires. When she started regularly volunteering at the Marin Office, she became hooked on the work that she was doing and the people in the organization.
John Williams North Bay Chapter Benicia, CA
John Williams is known for his services across the Disaster Cycle Services Team. John is always ready to lead Be Red Cross Ready presentations at a moment’s notice. He also takes an active role in supporting the local mass care team and is ready to jump into action.
John started volunteering with Red Cross after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and thought of Red Cross as “a long-respected organization with proven results in alleviating human suffering.”
“Red Cross has trained me to become a kind and professional part of that volunteer workforce. I wear my Red Cross hat and vest with pride knowing I am a small part of a large organization that helps people before, during and after disasters,” said John.
Ben Greenberg North Bay Chapter Santa Rosa, CA
Ben Greenberg volunteers for many Red Cross activities, such as teaching CPR classes and installing smoke alarms for Sound the Alarm. He’s known for always being available when a volunteer is needed.
Ben started volunteering with the Red Cross after the Tubbs Fire in 2017. He also wanted to give back to his community that helped him thrive while having a disability.
“I also volunteer to show others with disabilities that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Being the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award surprised me. It is a great honor to be recognized for my accomplishments. I would like to thank the Red Cross for the opportunity to serve my community and the support to do so,” said Ben.
Pam Chapell North Bay Chapter American Canyon, CA
Pam Chapell serves as the de facto Disaster Chair in Napa County, a Disaster Action Team Coordinator and an event organizer. She’s contributed a lot to the Red Cross mission, conducting presentations for the Napa County Fire Chiefs Association, assisting with Sound the Alarm events and supporting the American Canyon High School Red Cross Club.
Pam joined the Red Cross in 2018, after retiring. She was looking to do something meaningful and when people were affected by the Tubbs Fire, she noticed how much they appreciated help from the Red Cross.
“It amazes me how resilient people can be even when they are having the worst day of their lives. Watching how they help and support their friends and neighbors who are going through it too,” said Pam.
Fellow Red Cross volunteers Peggy Wegnerof the Silicon Valley Chapter and Tom Wiley of the Central Coast Chapter also received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Congratulations to our incredible awardees for this well-deserved recognition!
1,236 smoke alarms installed throughout the Northern California Coastal Region in April
Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly, can save you and your loved ones by cutting the risk of dying in half.
The American Red Cross responds to home fires more than any other disaster combined and for that reason, in April, our, along with local fire departments and community partners, installed 1,236 free smoke alarms, making 452 homes safer and provided home fire prevention and safety information to 1,210 local residents.
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