Red Cross Says Thanks to Volunteers

The Red Cross, along with all the citizens of Ventura County, is relieved that the war is over and shares the joy of the families who are welcoming their loved ones back home.

Yet we know that our work is not over. Here at home, more than 80 Ventura County volunteers continue to support military families. We salute the 60 new volunteers who joined us at the peak of the Gulf crisis to send emergency messages and give other assistance through the chapter and at our Red Cross station serving Port Hueneme and Point Mugu.

And--as the war raged on in the Gulf--volunteers in Ventura County continued to assist victims of local house fires and floods; continued to teach first aid, CPR and water safety; continued to look after thousands of our homeless at the Oxnard Armory; continued to give information on AIDS and earthquake preparedness; and continued to distribute hundreds of thousands of pieces of educational literature.

Two Fillmore men who learned standard first aid through this Red Cross chapter saved the life of a co-worker and this year were awarded the Certificate of Merit, the highest lifesaving award given by the American Red Cross. Others conducted first-aid stations at more than 55 public events and at fire camps in Ojai, Santa Paula and Fillmore.

It is my privilege to thank our volunteers and their families, who sacrificed spending time with our volunteers so that they could be there when others needed them.

JUDITH FRAZIER

Chairwoman

Ventura County chapter of the American Red Cross

Ventura