Teen Red Cross Honoree Grew With the Cause

Karen English almost missed out on her big award from the American Red Cross.

“We told her, ‘Karen, this is one time you have to break your commitments,’ ” her father, Bob English, said.

But English, a Santa Clarita native and an 18-year-old freshman at San Jose State, was scheduled to teach a Red Cross class in San Jose on the same day of the awards ceremony.

Reluctantly, she decided to reschedule the class and fly home to accept the Spotlight award.

“She didn’t realize how big a deal it was until we pulled into the L.A. Convention Center,” Bob English said. Karen was awarded the Kathy Russell Award for youth service on Dec. 7.

Named for a former Red Cross board member who worked for youth programs, the award includes a $500 scholarship.

“I like helping other people and having the satisfaction that what I did helped,” English said.

For the Englishes, volunteering is a family affair. Bob English’s father was a volunteer firefighter. Bob and his wife, Pamela, are active in Scouting and Guide Dogs of America and are longtime Red Cross volunteers.

Karen’s first involvement in the Red Cross was as a 5-year-old, trailing along with her father as he taught Red Cross classes. It began as an inexpensive answer to child-care needs. Soon, Karen became something of a partner, helping her father demonstrate first-aid techniques.

“By 8 or 9, she was helping me with splints and bandages,” Bob English said.

A year ago, Karen became one of the youngest first aid and CPR instructors in the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“It helps me with my people skills, public speaking and a basic knowledge of what to do if there is an emergency,” said English, who is studying occupational therapy.

Soon after starting college, she began volunteering at a Red Cross chapter near her school.

Diane Hill, manager for the Red Cross’ Santa Clarita office, nominated English for the award. Hill has known English for at least eight years.

“She’s just a very sweet girl, very quiet, very unassuming, and extremely competent.”

As a teacher she is professional and patient, Hill said.

“To find that in one so young, that’s very interesting,” Hill said.

In 1994 after the Northridge earthquake, Karen’s involvement in the Red Cross greatly increased, her father said.

“She gave up her birthday to work in earthquake relief,” he said.

Karen spent her 16th birthday, Jan. 24, 1994, assisting Santa Clarita residents still reeling from the temblor.

She bummed rides from friends to Red Cross assignments, where she prepared and delivered food.

After the quake, her dedication to the group increased so much that her parents had to sometimes beg to squeeze events into her crammed appointment calendar, her father said.

For Karen, the Red Cross offers volunteers a variety of opportunities from disaster services to office duties.

“There’s pretty much something for everybody,” she said.

And with so many ways to be involved, and so much need, Karen expects to be busy for years to come.

“It looks like something I’m going to be doing for a long time,” she said.

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