Sound the Alarm is May 4! Register to volunteer at http://soundthealarm.org or make a donation for @bigdayofgiving at http://bigdayofgiving.org/americanredcross.
Author: American Red Cross California Gold Country Region
The California Gold Country Region serves a twenty-six county territory including Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba counties
Meet Blood Services Volunteer Dianna Dunn
Born and raised in Sunnyvale, Dianna became a Red Cross volunteer in high school and loved working the first aid station at the Santa Clara county fair. “I learn so much and am blessed every time I am serving others,” she says.
Dianna has lived in Escalon (San Joaquin County) for 7 years. She volunteers at 5 to 6 mobiles per month. “During the blood drives, I have a chance to meet wonderful people and share my experiences with them and also, listen and learn about them,” says Dianna.
When not volunteering, Dianna tends a large vegetable garden and 18 chickens, and plays with 3 much-loved dogs. She enjoys knitting and crocheting and hanging out with her three granddaughters.
Irish Red Cross Volunteer Reflects on Her Time in the Gold Country Region
The American Red Cross Gold Country Region was fortunate last year to have met and provided training to Niveta Ramakrishnan, a third-year medical student and volunteer with the Irish Red Cross.
We were so impressed with her dedication to the Red Cross and her tenacity in learning all she could about what we do in the United States.
Read Niveta’s blog post about her time in Sacramento!
Yuba County Recognizes volunteers as Part of Red Cross Month
As part of Red Cross Month, the Yuba County Board of Supervisors today recognized local volunteers.
We are so proud of the many volunteers who help the Gold Country Region carry out the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Sound the Alarm Teams install 115 Units in Modesto and Stockton
American Red Cross Sound the Alarm volunteers installed 115 smoke alarms in Stockton and Modesto homes last Saturday. Two- and three-person teams were dispatched to two mobile home parks which had previously been canvassed for working smoke alarms. During a friendly competition, each team had installed 21 alarms and were ready to call it a day “when a resident flagged us down and asked for one more free install for the tie-breaker,” said STA Lead Jim Horning. Volunteers are still needed for the huge Sound the Alarm event on May 4. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit http://www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm. 
Meet Stockton Blood Services Ambassador Dennis Saxton
Life-long Stockton resident Dennis Saxton began serving blood donors 17 years ago. During his very first volunteering shift, three people passed out! “I almost didn’t come back,” said Dennis, “but I’m glad that I did. Since then, I have met a lot of people I like to call friends.” Dennis thoroughly enjoys spending time with his friends, so much so that, he schedules three regular shifts per week and will come in on a moment’s notice to fill in when needed.
Dennis enjoys the front desk, signing donors in and answering their questions. Dennis moonlights as a trainer and has helped numerous new volunteers learn the subtleties of reception work. With his easy sense of humor, Dennis shines in the Canteen. “I like to meet people and I like to talk,” he ways. But Dennis also understands the serious side of the Canteen. “You have to pay attention to what’s going on around you. We are here to serve the donors.”
Despite Cancer Diagnosis, Volunteer Loretta Walker Dives into Blood Services, Focuses on Kids
Twelve years ago, doctors told Loretta Walker she had only few months to live and she should return home to put her affairs in order.
Cancer.
Instead, she began volunteering at the Red Cross blood center in Manteca. Having received transfusions herself, Loretta has had firsthand experience with blood donations and knows how important donating blood is for the community. In addition to her canteen work and volunteering at local mobile blood drives, Loretta offered to coordinate volunteers for the Manteca center.
“I love communicating with the other volunteers and donors,” said Loretta. I have made some new friends and love visiting my old friends too.”
Another project near to Loretta’s heart is helping Manteca youth. For the past 10 years, Loretta has been an integral part of the FUN (Friday Unity Night) Club. Determined to help keep kids off the streets and away from drugs, community leaders created a safe haven every Friday where kids would go to play games, hear live music and participate in presentations from the police and fire departments.
Loretta continues to serve, despite her ongoing fight against cancer. In April 2018, Loretta had radiation treatments because the tumors had grown. “I don’t give up,” she said. “I am dedicated to working with the community and all the people in it.”
It’s Time to Turn and Test!
It’s time to spring forward! Remember to turn your clocks forward an hour and test your smoke alarms this weekend.
Help us Help Others: Giving Day is March 27
Every 8 minutes, the American Red Cross meets a family devastated by disaster. This March, you can make an impact and #help1family in those first hours, providing food, supplies, shelter, and hope. Join us on March 27th for American Red Cross Giving Day to help 25,000 families in urgent need.
It’s Time for the 2019 BASH!
It’s time for the American Red Cross Gold Country Region’s 2019 BASH honoring the California National Guard!
This year’s event will be held at a new location: The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento!
See all the information above and go to redcross.org/bash to get your tickets and sponsorship information today!
Gold Country News and Notes 