Event to Honor Red Cross Volunteers

A live band, clowns and cartoon characters will be a few of the surprises at an event honoring Ventura County American Red Cross volunteers today at Golf N Stuff in Ventura.

More than 600 volunteers have made reservations to participate in the “Volunteer Appreciation Celebration,” which is the first such event of this scale, said Brian Bolton, executive director of the Ventura County Red Cross.

At the festivities, to be held from 6 to 9 p.m., golf and all the rides are being provided free to volunteers and their families.

“This has been such a big and serious year that we decided to have a fun and relaxing type of activity--a celebration just to enjoy each other’s company,” Bolton said.

The county’s more than 2,000 Red Cross volunteers have provided an extraordinary amount of emergency relief services to residents in the past year, Bolton said.

During the Jan. 17 earthquake, more than 650 volunteers opened six relief centers providing 92,563 meals, delivering health services to 718 people and offering shelter to thousands, Bolton said.

McDonald’s and Vons grocery stores will provide refreshments served by Southern California Edison workers, Bolton said.

“We really want to have a celebration,” he said, “and just enjoy.”

Volunteers who want to make last-minute reservations should call the Red Cross at 339-2234.