American Red Cross

Claudia Peschiutta WILLING VICTIMS Kids in the Santa's Safety Workshops at the Glendale-Crescenta Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross aren't afraid of pain. Those enrolled in the Community First Aid and Safety Workshop held Tuesday could hardly stay in their chairs when instructor Sara Smith asked for someone to play the part of an accident victim. "Who wants to come up here and be a victim," Smith said. "Ooh, ooh" and "right here" called kids, waving their arms in the air and fidgeting in their seats.

Adam Michael Sheffield, the son of Matt and Linda Sheffield of Glendale, received the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of Troop 106 of the Verdugo Hills Council Boy Scouts of America. For his Eagle Scout project, Adam did a blood drive for the American Red Cross. He collected 46 pints of blood. Adam received several scouting honors, including On My Honor, Mile Swim and the 50-miler Afoot/Afloat. Adam was home-schooled until he passed the California Proficiency Exam at 16 and entered Glendale Community College.

Judy Seckler DOWNTOWN -- The Delta Sigma Pi Leadership Foundation in Oxford, Ohio, has awarded its Outstanding Corporate Citizen award to Stephen Ropfogel, owner and founder of Glendale-based Creative Promotions Unlimited. The award was in recognition of Ropfogel's support of leadership of leadership development in business. Ropfogel contributes his time and financial assistance to many Glendale organizations -- the Glendale Rose Float Assn., Glendale-Crescenta Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Glendale Sunrise Rotary Club, Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale Healthy Kids and the Glendale Presidents Advisory Council.

Janine Marnien GOP club hosts assembly candidate LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The Foothills Republican Club hosted Assembly candidate Dan O'Connell at its Oct. 17 meeting. O'Connell is running against incumbent Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge) in the upcoming election. He spoke on his experiences as a deputy district attorney prosecuting narcotics crimes. The Foothills Republican Club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Thursday of each month. The next meeting is Nov. 14 at the Republican Headquarters, 2512 Foothill Blvd.

Gary Moskowitz It wasn't until Tujunga resident Bonnie Sandoz became a mother that she realized the importance of donating blood. "My daughter was born with immature lungs and a blood infection," Sandoz said. "It then became very real to me as I was waiting for my daughter to get blood to survive." Sandoz, now an associate director for the American Red Cross Southern California Region, spent all day Wednesday taking blood donations at Hoover High School, genuinely thanking students for giving their time and their blood donations.

Janine Marnien GLENDALE -- It's been a slow process, but the Glendale-Crescenta Valley Red Cross Chapter has rejuvenated its almost stagnant disaster action nursing program over the past three years. The program had dwindled in numbers and force because of a decline in interest and a restructuring of nursing duties by the American Red Cross's national protocols. "Nursing is a very, very important component of disaster action services," said Sue Rothhammer, the chapter's nursing chair.

The Burbank Home Depot and the American Red Cross teamed up Saturday at The Home Depot to provide homeowners with advice and affordable ways to safeguard their families and homes when an earthquake strikes. To recognize Earthquake Safety Month, local American Red Cross representatives shared information on how to take safety measures before a natural disaster strikes. "We want to introduce to people the necessities of pre-planning for a disaster," said Pablo Valadez, a spokesman for the Burbank Red Cross.

Amber Willard NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- The annual fire drill inspection by Glendale firefighters at Columbus Elementary School Friday was a bit different this year. This time, the firefighters were sent away with very personal gifts from the students -- a bright yellow, handmade "Thank You" banner to hang at their station and almost $2,500 to pass along to their brethren in New York City, as well as the American Red Cross. "We're giving the money to the firefighters for the New York people," sixth-grader Katrina Kazandjian said.

It was a proud day for the students of Harbour View Elementary School. After raising almost $13,000 in donations for Hurricane Katrina relief, the students presented a check to an American Red Cross representative. A crowd of more than a thousand students, teachers and parents gathered on the school's outdoor basketball court to participate in a "Proud To Be an American" assembly. "This is a community that helps people," said Principal Roni Ellis.

Red Cross leader receives award GLENDALE -- The CEO for the Glendale-Crescenta Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has received the Tiffany Award, a national honor given by the American Red Cross for excellence in management. Under the management of Ron Farina, the chapter has implemented a Web site translated in four languages, the installation of a disaster communications system and has been able to secure medical supplies and equipment for a chapter in Rosarito Beach.