Tag Archives: People we serve

American Red Cross women on the frontlines: World War II clubmobile crews

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September 1944, France. French children sample their first doughnuts at American Red Cross Clubmobile. Photo by Margaret Karch Zaimes

In World War II, at a time when women made up only .033 percent of the military and almost all but nurses were stationed far from the front, the American Red Cross sent hundreds of young women tasked to boost military morale to the European frontlines in “clubmobiles,” 2.5-ton trucks and buses repurposed as mobile social clubs.

The American Red Cross was the sole nonmilitary agency designated to provide welfare and recreation services for the US expeditionary forces in World War II. With the official job description of “club services worker,” clubmobile crews, usually three young women, were tasked to prepare and serve coffee and doughnuts, and other reminders of “home” that might allow the soldiers to momentarily forget the stresses of war.

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Carmel-by-the-Sea Chapter: A Legacy of Community and Compassion

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Then and now: Red Cross programs and services evolve while ensuring a strong community presence. 

In the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a chapter of Red Cross history has been penned over the last 107 years – a narrative of dedication, service and community support.

The roots of the former “Carmel Area Red Cross Chapter” began in 1916 with an inaugural meeting taking place at Carmel City Hall. Fifteen dedicated individuals were selected for the Board of Directors from a pool of 34 nominees, marking the beginning of a longstanding commitment to serving the community. 

The Carmel Pine Cone, a local community newspaper launched a year prior in 1915, has played a vital role in our history, with the second meeting of the Red Cross Chapter of Carmel announced in its pages on September 27, 1916. Founding officer Lilly Devendorf, whose name echoes throughout local Red Cross history, exemplifies the enduring relationship between the city, the newspaper, and our Chapter. 

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Spotlight on the Region’s Chapter Board Chairs

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By Chloe Li

At the heart of the Red Cross’s vast network lies an essential role: that of the Board of Director’s Chair for a local chapter. These individuals play a pivotal part in guiding community leaders and leading their respective chapters to fulfill the organization’s mission to alleviate human suffering.

Our region’s five Chapter Board Chairs share their inspiration for joining the Red Cross below, and the critical responsibilities and significant contributions they hope to make in the community. We thank all our Board Members for their dedication, commitment and impact to ensure the Red Cross remains a beacon of hope and support when it is needed most.

To learn more about our chapters within the Northern California Coastal Region and our Board Members, visit: redcross.org/norcalcoastal

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Paying it forward: Red Cross Platelet Donor Achieves 100-gallon Milestone

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Craig Wilson donating platelets
Photo by Martin Gagliano – American Red Cross

“I believe that when you receive blessings in life then you really have to give something back,” said Craig Wilson, a platelet donor who has reached an incredible 100th-gallon milestone at the Oakland Blood Donation Center. “I’ve been blessed with good health, and this is my way to pay it forward. Even if I’m not getting anything out of this -well, I get a T-shirt sometimes- it doesn’t matter because I know I’m helping the community. That’s the point”.

Craig started donating blood in Chicago around 1978. “There was a need for blood donors and I decided to donate for the first time. I did it a couple of times in the year, but with not much awareness,” he remembers.

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Sound the Alarm: A lifesaving service helps keep one Marin mobile home park safer 

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“What you guys are doing, you reassure us that people are out there and care.” 

Lucie Tison and her husband Tom at his house in San Rafael.
Photo by Marcia Antipa / American Red Cross

Lucie Tison and her husband Tom have lived in the Contempo Marin Mobile Home Park in San Rafael for 17 years. On a recent Saturday morning, teams of volunteers from the Red Cross fanned out across this community of 400 homes to install free smoke alarms for residents. This Sound the Alarm event is part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, a national program designed to save lives from home fires through installation of free smoke alarms and fire safety education. 

As of August 23rd, the Red Cross announced that since the start of the Home Fire Campaign in October of 2014, volunteers have installed more than 2.5 million free smoke alarms with almost 2,000 documented lives saved thanks to those smoke alarms and fire safety education. 

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“I am putting good vibes out into the world.” 

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by: Alex Keilty 

Photo courtesy of Mary Dorst

If you can donate it, Mary Dorst has probably given it. Hair? Check! Blood? Check! An organ? Check! 

Her latest donation was giving plasma at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Oakland, which is something she does about every six weeks. After donating Mary, 59, says, “Physically I feel fine and emotionally I feel good. I know my donation will help anyone with a need in the hospital.”  

 As a little girl in the early 1970’s Mary regularly accompanied her father when he donated blood. “I used to sit next to him while he donated. I especially liked the juice and cookies after,” she remembers.  

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