Emergency underscores value of health, safety classes
We all have been reminded of the value of periodically taking the first-aid, CPR, and other health and safety classes that are a staple of the American Red Cross. Like many of us, Nisha Baxi, a member of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of the Silicon Valley, did not fully appreciate the classes’ value — until a recent day in San Jose. In a “thank you” note she shared with her Red Cross colleagues, Nisha tells a story that should motivate all of us to stay current on our training. She gave us permission to post her note (and story) on this regional blog site. Read more
Almost 50 volunteers from the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross met at Fire Station Number 3 on Martha Street in San Jose on a rainy morning this past Saturday. After remarks by Captain Bien Doan of the San Jose Fire Department and superb training by Liz Dietz, Terry Unter, and Doug Moses-Batson, the teams — in spite of the rainy weather — visited a total of 52 homes in County Fair Mobile Estates and Village of the Four Seasons, in San Jose. The work was done as a part of the ongoing Red Cross “Sound The Alarm” activities. 
By Andrea Mendoza
Patty O’Hara is a longtime Red Cross volunteer for client services for the Central Coast Chapter. She is also writer and winner of the Family Circle Fiction Contest of 2010 for her short story, “The Secrets of Celestial Navigation.”
Mary Desautels was no stranger to service when awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for Mendocino County in June. Mary has lived in Fort Bragg for 25 years, and for 17 of those years, she has volunteered with the American Red Cross. 
