Busy Holiday Weekend for Your Ventura Red Cross

Fires, Shelters and Military Assistance all in One Weekend

Ventura County, CA – The American Red Cross of Ventura County spent the Holiday Weekend supporting those who lost everything to fire and those returning home from serving our country overseas.

Three fires caused a lot of tragedy for the families involved with Red Cross offering financial assistance to the family in Fillmore so they could purchase much needed supplies, bedding and linens prior to occupying the home generously made available by one of their neighbors. Thirty-five people were affected by a fire that tore through their six apartments in Oxnard and a shelter has been set up to provide them with food and housing for this long weekend. 17 persons were still utilizing this support last night with the population expected to stay consistent, at least through the rest of the holidays. A family from Miners Oaks was impacted also by fire and Red Cross was on scene to provide immediate assistance.

And while the fires and the rain continued to impact the county nothing could dampen the spirits of the over 500 military men and women returning home through Point Magu this weekend. Six different “Welcome Home” celebrations were held to greet the fine sailors and reunite them with their families and loved ones. In some cases these welcome homes required the volunteers to start preparing for the event at 2 a.m. to ensure the coffee and pastries were fresh and ready to go. A great Valentines present made possible by volunteers giving up their time in support of others.

2009 is starting out at a pace far exceeding previous years disaster activities. Last year the chapter assisted in 53 disasters throughout the year and already in these short six weeks of 2009 your local Red Cross has assisted in seven disasters – a pace that will see over 80 disasters needing the chapters’ help. With the economy causing challenges it’s not unusual for propane heaters and cooking devises to be utilized in an attempt to save money. But sometimes that can lead to tragic consequences.

All of these disasters come at a time when Red Cross is seeing a decline in donations because of those same economic conditions. The Red Cross hopes that during these tough time people will continue to be there for the Red Cross so they can be there for the community. Go to www.arcventura.org for more information on how you can help.

Since 1917, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has been meeting needs throughout the communities it serves. Each year, more than 1,200 local volunteers respond to more than 50 local disasters, teach tens of thousands of individuals vital lifesaving skills, and support the men and women in the US Armed Forces. The American Red Cross is not a government agency.

American Red Cross of Ventura County Wins National Award

Janis Flippen at the Ventura County StarFriday, January 30, 2009

The American Red Cross of Ventura County has been named one of the highest performing chapters in the country by the National American Red Cross headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Ventura County Chapter was one of only three chapters in California to receive the recognition and the only one, and first-ever in Southern California to receive the designation. Only 45 chapters throughout the entire United State were honored out of over 800 chapters nationally.
To receive the honor, the Ventura County chapter had to meet or exceed a comprehensive set of performance standards completed by Red Cross chapters nationwide. Chapters are judged on strict performance standards including service quality, effectiveness, fundraising efficiency, volunteer satisfaction, readiness & responses, preparedness & health safety, financial management and much more. The evaluations are obtained through quarterly and annual reporting.
"We received this recognition from a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, board members, donors, community partners and others who help us carry out the mission of the American Red Cross," stated Chris Johnson, CEO of the American Red Cross of Ventura County. "This award is an achievement for the whole community in helping us create an efficiently run, effective and responsible Red Cross chapter that is ready to meet the needs of our local community," he continued. "We hope that in these tough economic times, individuals will continue to support us so we can be there for the community when the need arises," he added.
Since 1917, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has been meeting needs throughout the communities it serves. Each year, more than 1,200 local volunteers respond to more than 50 local disasters, teach tens of thousands of individual's vital lifesaving skills, and support the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The American Red Cross is not a government agency.