A publication of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter

Around the BaySummer 2013

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P3 Red Cross Gala Raises $1.3M

P4 Volunteers Experience Best Red Cross Moment

P6 Ready Neighborhoods Wins FEMA Award

Bay Area Chapter

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Red Cross literally a lifeline for Prisoner of War

France recognized Daniels bravery and perseverance in 2011 through the award of the Legion of Honor, its highest decoration. Daniel accepted the honor on behalf of ninety seven of my buddies from the Baker Battery 377th who did not come back

Daniel went on to a satisfying post-war career as an airplane engine mechanic, instructor, and manager at Alameda Naval Air Station. He and his wife Nancy have supported the American Red Cross for many years. Says Daniel, I have great appreciation for the Red Cross and what they did for me and my fellow POWs.

Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Daniel R. Soria and 8,000 of his fellow 101st Airborne soldiers parachuted into Normandy on D-Day in advance of the Allied amphibious assault later that day. Four chaotic days later, the Germans captured Daniel and he spent the next 12 months as a German Prisoner of War.

Red Cross food parcels distributed to the POWs were literally a lifeline, says Daniel, who now lives in Newark, California. I remember the containers of SPAM. The rations provided to us by the Germans were starvation-level as they themselves didnt have much food. The Red Cross food parcels basically allowed us to survive.

Red Cross food parcels were provided by the American, British, and Canadian Red Cross societies and distributed to POWs by the International Committee of the Red Cross. American food parcels contained, among other items: K-ration biscuits, a tin of coffee, powdered milk, cheese, soup cubes, a can of SPAM, and cigarettes.

We were able to trade the cigarettes for other items we couldnt get in the camps, so they were very useful, Daniel said.

In May 1945 Russian tanks liberated Daniels POW camp. He was offered the opportunity to accompany the liberators to Russia, but he and six others chose to walk west in the hope of reuniting with American forces. When they were lucky enough to do so four days later, Daniel weighed in at 120 pounds, down from the 180 pounds he jumped at 12 months prior. He was back in the States three weeks later.

Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Daniel R. Soria and his wife Nancy live in Newark, California.

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House Fire Victim Thanks ChapterEvacuating her East Palo Alto home was the last thing Elaina Cook expected to be doing on her 21st birthday on March 7.

Elaina, her family, and 10 of their neighbors, escaped the fire. The damage to the building was extensive and Elanias family lost most of their belongings. The Red Cross Bay Area Chapter provided the families with shelter, comfort, and emotional support. The Chapter also worked with the San Mateo Human Services Administration and other partner agencies to provide services until the family could find long-term housing.

We really appreciated how all the Red Cross workers were courteous and on top of things, said Elainas sister, Fuka Cook. Not many agencies provide the generosity that the Red Cross does and we are very grateful.

Fukas nine-year-old niece, Luisa Cook, was in a state of shock after the fire but was comforted when she saw the Red Cross helping her family. While staying at the emergency shelter Luisa was given markers and paper to keep her occupied and she drew a beautiful picture to thank the Red Cross.

[The Red Cross volunteers] were really good because they helped my family, Luisa said.

Letter From the CEO

Dear Friends,

When I started with the Red Cross as Regional Chief Executive Officer just over a month ago, I knew there was a great deal to learn. To hear about the Region is impressive, but to see the inner workings and meet the dedicated volunteers and staff committed to our mission is humbling.

I also didnt expect to receive such an immediate initiation to the Red Cross two significant disaster responses during my first month the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 plane crash at the San Francisco International Airport and the 6-alarm Hallmark House Apartment fire that destroyed 72 units in Redwood City. Both local disasters occurred within 15 hours and were located only 16 miles apart.

I saw firsthand how our team helped those in need. Im inspired by the more than 200 staff and volunteers that came together to provide emotional support, shelter, translators, replacement prescriptions and eyeglasses and serve more than

4,000 meals to those affected by both of the disasters. Our experienced Crisis Counselors and Health Services teams are expected to continue to work with clients through July, or beyond.

I am honored to be in the company of such dedicated individuals who drop everything to help others in need. Over the next several months I look forward to meeting many of you and continuing to learn how this amazing organization helps those in times of greatest need.

Best Regards,

Mark Cloutier, CEOAmerican Red Cross Bay Area Chapter

This drawing was created by Luisa Cook and given to American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter volunteers after they helped her family who lost everything in a house fire.

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One of San Franciscos most anticipated events of the year, the 2013 Red Cross Gala occurred April 6 and transformed the Concourse Exhibition Center in the design district into a stunning sea of red. The evening, which was presented by Dignity Health, Wells Fargo Bank, and Kaiser Permanente, was the most successful on record for the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter. The event raised a total of $1.3 million for the local Red Cross disaster readiness and response efforts.

Lloyd Dean, President and CEO of Dignity Health, was honored and presented the 2013 Humanitarian CEO of the Year Award for his commitment to providing immediate humanitarian assistance to those in need. A moving tribute to Lloyd featured speeches given by family and friends, including his son, Nathan Dean, and daughter, Nicole Dean, Wells Fargo Chief Administrative Officer Pat Callahan, incoming Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson, Dignity Health Chief Administrative Officer Elizabeth Shih, and Honorary Event Co-Chairs Michael Covarrubias and the Honorable Willie L. Brown Jr.

There are so many wonderful accolades for my father, toasted Nicole. But the one my brother and our mom, Suzanne Dean, are most proud to share with you is that he is the worlds greatest husband, father, and grandfather.Bernard told the audience of 810 attendees that Lloyd was not only inspirational but a friend, mentor, and a role model to everyone he knew. Then, he jokingly asked the honoree: Did that cover everything you wanted me to mention?

Lloyd Dean represents power, Bernard continued. But that power is in your heart, because what you do every day is help other people thrive.

After a standing ovation, the beaming honoree exhorted the audience to support the American Red Cross.

While Im standing here to accept this most gracious, humbling honor, it is not about Lloyd Dean, declared the honoree. It is about each and every one of you, who in your hearts have embraced humanity by reaching out to help others in their most desperate hour.

Lloyd assisted relief sponsor McKesson to secure the singing services of his friend, eight-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight, who served up a rousing set for 90 minutes.

The volunteer-led Red Cross Gala, expertly organized by Gala Chairs Susan Atherton and Gwyneth Borden, drew the most attendees to date who included civic and business leaders, members of the San Francisco International Consular Corps, and the Bay Area philanthropic community. Guests experienced festivities that included cocktails by Patron, a McCalls Associates meal, a silent and live auction featuring auctioneer Greg Quiroga, and the spectacular musical performance by the R&B icon.

Exquisite tablescapes created exclusively for the event by 26 Bay Area interior designers drew on this years theme Hope by Design.

Your support allows the Red Cross to give victims of disaster hope, Gwyneth explained during the program. Because when, not if, a disaster strikes the region, the hope the Red Cross provides will not be by accident but by design.

Also in attendance were Mark Adkins, President of the San Francisco Chronicle, fashion icon Wilkes Bashford, Anthony Earley, Chairman, CEO, and President of PG&E, John Hammergren, Chairman, President, and CEO of McKesson, Wayne Jordan, Founder of Jordan Real Estate Investments, Jerry Kennelly, CEO of Riverbed Technology, Marc Loupe, Chief Financial Officer of Sage North America, Rick Welts, President and COO of Golden State Warriors, John Stumpf, Chairman of Wells Fargo & Company, Rowland Weinstein, owner of Weinstein Gallery, and Dr. Janice and Jonathan Zakin.

2013 Red Cross Gala Raises $1.3M

Nicole Dean, Nathan Dean, Lindsay Riggin, Lloyd Dean, and Suzanne Dean pose for a photo at the Red Cross Gala in April. Lloyd was presented the 2013 Humanitarian CEO of the Year Award at the Gala.

2103 Drew Altizer

Bay Area Volunteers Experience Best Red Cross MomentSometimes, whats touching about being a Red Cross volunteer is not just the opportunity to help, but seeing how helping brings out the best in people. Volunteers Charles Jones from San Francisco and Pat Morales from Vallejo learned this lesson during a road trip in November 2012, transporting a mobile feeding truck from Oakland, Calif., to Queens, New York, to help with Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.

The duo was forced to make a stop in Salt Lake City when they realized they needed new tires for the 3,000-mile journey across the country. As they were looking for a tire shop, they noticed a man and woman on the side of the road with signs asking for money.

Charles said the woman saw the Red Cross logo on the side of the truck and her face lit up. She jumped up and ran towards the vehicle. With an empty

truck, Charles and Pat felt bad that they would have to turn the woman away.

The two men were anxious as they watched the thin woman, wearing tattered clothes, approach the vehicle on the drivers side window. But instead of asking for help, she wanted to give.

She held up a five dollar bill, said Charles, his voice catching as his eyes filled with tears. She wanted to help.

The volunteers were so moved by the donation, Pat said they tried to give a few dollars to the couple, but John and Betty waved off the offer and asked that the money be donated instead. Charles, still affected by the generosity of the woman, shook his head at the memory fighting back his emotions, it was the best moment I have ever had with the Red Cross.

For Erick Digre, a Pacifica resident and 30-year Red Cross volunteer who was deployed twice during Superstorm Sandy, helping people return to their normal lives and hear their stories after a disaster strikes is an honor. Volunteers like Erick often get to see how the lives of the people they help slowly improve. Recently, Erick received an honor like nothing he could have ever imagined.

As a health services volunteer with an Emergency Medical Technician certification, Erick provided first aid and emotional support to those affected by the storm. During one of his eleven late nights volunteering at a shelter in New Jersey, Erick befriended a young woman in the final stages of pregnancy. He provided emotional support for the woman who would often come into the shelter at night.

I always endeavor to grab that shift because you are able to talk to people. You hear their stories and get to know them, said Erick, a park ranger for San Francisco Crystal Springs Fish and Game Preserve, who spends his vacations working as a Red Cross volunteer. The day before Erick headed back to the Bay Area, the young woman left without saying goodbye.

I was very concerned about her safety, said Erick.Two days later, Ericks Superstorm Sandy supervisor called

him with good news about the woman. She had a baby girl and named her Ericka, in honor of the Red Cross volunteer that helped her put her life back together.

I never had a child named after me. Its a once in a lifetime experience! Erick said. You dont think anything like thats going to happen, youre just doing the best you can in a situation. It was great. Although Erick will never meet the woman again he is content knowing how much his help touched her life.

It was kind of sad Ill never get to see the child - but thats not our mission, he said. During his two deployments to Sandy, Erick worked at shelters at Rutgers University and Toms River as well as a camp set up by FEMA for first responders, evacuees, and utility personnel in Oceanport dubbed Camp Freedom.

People lost most of everything they had, Erick said. We saw hundreds of people, we had elderly people and a two-day old baby. He said helping people return to their lives and listening to their stories is an honor.

We get such a privilege to hear these stories, Erick said. You are part of peoples lives: we feed, shelter, and give medical aid to everybody, thats primary, but the opportunity for us to understand what people went through, thats really important.

Read more about Erick at redcross.org/bayarea.

Volunteer Honored to Help Sandy Victims

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Erick Digre

Pat Morales

Charles Jones

At just 18, Mischa Fritz is already dedicated to saving lives. As one of the Chapters youngest first aid and CPR instructors, he has taught more than 70 classes and spent more than 150 hours volunteering for the Bay Area Chapter during the past three years. As a result, he was recently awarded with the Presidents Volunteer Service Award the highest honor given to U.S. citizens who volunteer their time nationwide.

Mischa has taken all the youth opportunities the Red Cross has offered him and ran with them, said Alissa May, Director of Volunteer and Youth Services at the Bay Area Chapter. He has dedicated himself to saving lives.

Mischa, who is from San Ramon, participated in the Red Cross Leadership Development Camp in 2012, which provides 150 youth the opportunity to engage the next generation of Red Cross leaders by teaching them the mission of the Red Cross and leadership skills to make a positive impact on their community. After hearing a speech given by Harold Brooks, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Bay Area Chapter, Mischa was inspired to volunteer with the Red Cross. At 16, he volunteered as a Health and Safety First Aid/CPR/AED instructor because he said he wanted to be involved and impact the community while learning how to be a stronger public speaker. While juggling advanced and honors courses in high school, Mischa taught six-hour long classes to people who were 15 to 20 years older than he was. He was quickly promoted.

Becoming a paid instructor at only 17-years-old and teaching 23 classes in less than a year is rare, Mischa says. Even at

The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter has more than 2,700 amazing adult volunteers. The Bay Area Chapter covers six counties and each county held volunteer recognition events to honor the work of these outstanding individuals and teams. In total, 125 awards were given to volunteers around the Bay Area and 585 volunteers and employees attended the recognition events. The following volunteers were recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for their county.

instructor meetings, the other instructors are surprised I am doing this at such a young age.

Mischa credits his Red Cross experience to improving his self-confidence. Allison Collins took a Health and Safety First Aid/CPR/AED course with Mischa and credits the instructor for his warm heart and clear training techniques.

The experience still stands out as the best class I have taken in my time with the Red Cross, said Allison, the Latino Community Preparedness Manager for the Bay Area Chapter.

Jodi Behrens, Health and Safety Training Specialist for the Northern California Coast nominated Mischa for the Presidents Service Award.

Mischa is an amazing, self-motivated individual who has helped the American Red Cross with his passion for teaching Health and Safety classes. We are thrilled that he received this honor, said Jodi.

In order to receive the Presidents Service Award, a person must have volunteered 150 hours of their time for more than a 12-month period and continuously demonstrated and inspired others. Mischa also received the Red Cross Contra Costa County Health and Safety Award this spring, an annual award given to a volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to teaching and growing Health and Safety programs.

Mischa plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley in the fall, and continue teaching more Red Cross classes as a college student.

Youth Volunteer Receives Presidential Award

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Mischa Fritz

American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter Volunteers of the Year

Katie GuthrieAlamedaVolunteer since 2011

Ruth RosenburgContra CostaVolunteer since 2007

Bob GaniardMarinVolunteer since 2005

Paul SzczesiulSan FranciscoVolunteer since 2011

Colleen SassoSan MateoVolunteer since 2009

Alzinia PailinSolano Volunteer Since 2009

Ready Neighborhoods Initiative Wins FEMA AwardHundreds of thousands of people in the Bay Area are better prepared for the next big earthquake or disaster after receiving disaster kits, learning first aid and CPR, and picking a disaster meeting place, thanks to Ready Neighborhoods, an initiative that has provided trainings and community outreach programs since April 2011.

In April 2013, the initiative received the prestigious FEMA 2012 Community Preparedness Award for its work in 18 neighborhoods. The award was presented during a Prep Rally at the California Academy of Sciences on the anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

In partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the 3rd Prep Rally was attended by more than 5,000 people, who received free disaster kits and were motivated to get ready for the unexpected, with help from former 49ers wide-receiver Jerry Rice and Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Participants came away from the event not only with celebrity autographs and snapshots, but the tools to care for their family when a disaster strikes.

Longtime Bay Area resident and 49ers fan, Kenneth Edwards said: After this event, I will definitely be more prepared and have everything ready in case of an earthquake. Ill have it right by my door so if something does happen I can grab it and go.

Also in April, the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter expanded the preparedness outreach efforts to Oakland Chinatown, with the Youth for Community Engagement program. This program aims to help youth be trained to prepare their community for an emergency and follows on the heels of the Chapters 40 successful years running a similar program in San Franciscos Chinatown.

The Chapter also reached out to the Bay Area this spring, supported by PG&E, through hundreds of advertisements on billboards, newspapers, bus shelters, transit stations, and stores from Fairfield all the way to San Francisco, with friendly faces reminding people to create a disaster game plan.

Throughout the spring more people were impacted across the Bay Area during seven Save-A-Life Saturday events. PG&E, AAA Community Safety Foundation, Ross Stores, and Oracle generously funded the events ensuring that attendees received free trainings in first aid, citizen CPR, and disaster preparedness and emergency kits.

With help from generous individual and community donors and corporate partners the Red Cross will continue its efforts to get the whole Bay Area ready for the next emergency or disaster.

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San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, PG&E President Chris Johns, San Francisco Battalion Chief Ramona Williams, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, former 49ers wide-receiver Jerry Rice, FEMA District Director, Nancy Ward, Red Cross Executive Director of Community Preparedness, Russ Paulson, Ready Dog, and the PG&E helmet pose for a photo at the Prep Rally.

After this event, I will definitely be more prepared and have everything ready in case of an earthquake. Ill have it right by my door so if something does happen I can grab it and go.

Kenneth Edwards, a Bay Area resident

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