Inland Empire Community Newspapers • June 20, 2013 • Page A7

American Red Cross Appreciation AwardsBy Ricardo Tomboc

The American Red CrossInland Empire Chapterheld its annual meeting

and Awards Recognition DinnerThursday, June 6 at the HiltonSan Bernardino. The banquetroom was filled to capacity asseveral dignitaries, Red CrossVolunteers and their families, andstaff members enjoyed theevening. During the awards ceremony,Cynthia Messina with the South-west Gas Corporation, presentedthe American Red Cross with acheck for fifteen hundred dollars.Yevette Ramos CEO, and Dr.Don Averill Board Chair; bothwith the Inland Chapter of theAmerican Red Cross received thedonation. Dr. Don Averill welcomed theattendees as the presentation ofthe Colors was conducted by CubScout Pack 242 from Grand Ter-rance, CA. The National Anthemwas sung my Tina Hargett a Dis-aster Action Team (DAT) mem-ber and Nurse with the Red Cross.After a short business meetingconducted by the American RedCross Inland Empire's BoardMembers; the attendees weretreated to a slide show depictingthe volunteer's activities duringthe past year's activities. The awards presentation wasconducted by Yevette Ramos(CEO). Handing out the awardswere State Assembly MemberMike Morrell, Marianne Baldwin(1st Vice Chair with the Ameri-can Red Cross), and Dr. DonAverill (Board Chair).Receiving the "Good NeighborAward" were the City of Ontario,Gregg Electric Inc., HigherGround International, JosephMena, San Bernardino Commu-nity College District, SouthwestGas Corporation, ArrowheadUnited Way, and the Victor Val-ley Rescue Mission. The "GoodNeighbor Award" is given forhaving made a significant human-itarian contribution in support ofthe American Red Cross.The "Rookie of the Year" wentto Alfonso Barajas. Alfonsojoined the Red Cross a year ago,

and has contributed hundreds ifnot thousands of hours. Yevettestated that “Alfonso has becomea valued member of both DisasterServices and Preparedness func-tions. He is helpful, dedicated,and accommodating, and enthusi-astically accepted assignmentsand positions, including “Servicesto the Armed Forces”, DisasterAction Team, and Fleet Mainte-nance”. The "Spirit of Excellence"award was given to Leigh Ben-nett, Linda Foote, Dave Nichols,Charles Prohaska, and RicardoTomboc. The "Spirit of Excel-lence" award is given for the su-perior commitment to the goalsand mission of the American RedCross.The "Desert to the Sea" awardwas given to Esther Valverde.This award recognizes a volunteerfor their extraordinary workwithin the “Desert to the Sea” re-gion, which consist of OrangeCounty, Riverside County, andSan Bernardino County.The Youth Services award was

given to Etiwanda High Schoolfor having one of the most activeRed Cross Clubs in SanBernardino County.The William Crawford DisasterServices Award went to the Chap-ter Duty Officers John Carrigan,Marta Carrigan, Chuck Duncan,and Chuck Sweeten. The award isgiven to volunteers who havedemonstrated exceptional leader-ship in coordinating, directing,and successfully completing dis-aster service activities, which re-sult in excellent service deliveryto the community. The "Hope 365 Top Fundraiser"award went to a husband and wifeteam Robert and Tina Hargett fortheir commitment to support the“Hope 365 Challenge”.An outgoing Board MembersWayne Stair, and Lew Warrenwere given recognized for theirservice to red cross and awardedcertificates of appreciation and aclock. Wayne Stair has been withthe Inland Empire Chapter since1989. Lew Warren has been withthe Inland Chapter since 1977 (36

years!).The "Volunteer of the Year"award went to Don Altamirano,and Michelle Maki for their dedi-cation to the chapter in an extraor-dinary manner. The "Clara Barton Award" wentto Board Member Sue Moore forher "meritorious volunteer leader-ship". Clara Barton is the founderof the American Red Cross! Thisaward recognizes a volunteerwho’s leadership and personal ex-pertise enables the Red Cross to

contribute valuable services to thecommunity.All of those receiving awardsalso received a certificate ofrecognition from the office ofState Assembly Member MikeMorrell, who personally handedthem out. After the awards presentations,all of those present that respondedto "Hurricane Sandy" on the EastCoast were recognized andthanked for their services.

PHOTO/RICARDO TOMBOC

After the awards presentations, all of those present that responded to "Hurricane Sandy" on the East Coast were recognized andthanked for their services. From left to right: Elizabeth Haro, Ed Rau, Beverly Chumley, Don Altamirano, Sandy Irvin, Frank Forsey,Chuck Sweeten, Assembly Member Mike Morrell, Marianne Baldwin, and Dr. Don Averill.

PHOTO/RICARDO TOMBOC

Dave Nichols was one of the recipients of the "Spirit of Excel-lence" award. Dave poses with his family (from left to right: FrankRuiz, Raymond Ruiz, David Nichols, and his wife Melissa Ruiz.

PHOTO/RICARDO TOMBOC

The "Rookie of the Year" went to Alfonso Barajas. Alfonso joined the Red Cross a year ago, andhas contributed hundreds if not thousands of hours. Yevette stated that “Alfonso has become avalued member of both Disaster Services and Preparedness functions. He is helpful, dedicated,and accommodating, and enthusiastically accepted assignments and positions, including “Servicesto the Armed Forces”, Disaster Action Team, and Fleet Maintenance”. From left to right: AssemblyMember Mike Morrell, Alfonso Barajas, Marianne Baldwin, and Dr. Don Averill.

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