The Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross honored several community groups and ushered a group of new board members into the group at an event at Chaminade in Santa Cruz on Wednesday.
Emceed by Capitola City Councilman and board member Mike Termini and Deputy Santa Cruz Police Chief Rick Martinez, the incoming president of the board, the event brought together volunteers and community groups from across the county.
Groups and businesses honored included: Verizon Wireless; Monterey Mushrooms; Dominican Hospital; the Watsonville Police Activities Leagues; the County Office of Emergency Services; Dos Amigos Auto Repair; Falcon Training; Triad Electric; the law firm of Cartwright, Scruggs, Fulton and Walther; the Sheriff's Office; PG&E; the Santa Cruz Sentinel; and the Watsonville Motel 6.
The honorees were thanked for their volunteer hours, in-kind donations and monetary gifts.
Five elected officials also spoke:
Zach Friend, an incoming board member and County Supervisor, thanked the Red Cross for its partnership with the county during disasters.
Watsonville Mayor Lowell Hurst listed off the many incidents in his city that the Red Cross has responded to over the years.
Capitola Vice Mayor Sam Storey recalled the Red Cross efforts when areas of his city was flooded in 2011.
"We are so thankful in Capitola that you were there for us," Storey said.
Pamela Comstock, a Santa Cruz City Council Member, shared that the Red Cross made a special $1.5 million loan to help with housing and rebuilding in the wake of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, then declined repayment so long as the city gave the payments to housing assistance.
"We're still benefiting from the Red Cross and what they did for our city," she said.
Scotts Valley Vice Mayor Jim Reed highlighted the blood drives, designated emergency shelters and volunteer training that prepares the community for disasters.
"You're always there for us," he said.
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