“Excellent” Volunteers and Employees Recognized

Congratulations to the six outstanding volunteers and two staff members who were honored at the Chapter Excellence Awards luncheon held Oct. 4 at the Los Angeles County Art Museum. Nearly 200 people were on hand to watch the following exemplary individuals win the chapter’s top awards: Linda Housden, R.N.— Disaster Services Award; Don Dodson — Leadership Award; Zoila Bravo — Health and Safety Award; Shana Lynch — Outstanding Youth Award; Patricia Mac Neil — Outstanding Volunteer Award; Betty Scott — Employee Support Service Award; and Patricia Le’Bree —Professional Award. MMMP Marketing won the Good Neighbor Award.

Edmond Lelo, Board of Directors chair, thanked the volunteers and spoke about the important role Red Cross volunteers play in Los Angeles and around the world. As a child in Kenya, he was assisted by the Red Cross and has never forgotten how the organization helped his family. “We are one Red Cross, no matter where you are in the world. The first people to help are from the Red Cross. We are not perfect, but we do our best.”

Guest speaker Pat West, chair of the national Red Cross Youth Council talked about the importance of recruiting and retaining young people. A senior at UCLA, Pat has been an unofficial volunteer since the age of nine. He discussed the initiatives he will promote during his tenure as national chair, which include involving more youth in the Service to the Armed Forces area of the Red Cross and having youth help raise money to assist single family fire disaster victims.

The event was organized by the Chapter Excellence Planning Commitee and with the help of several volunteers.

Pictures by Ricardo Alterno & Feldo Nartapura