Red Cross Honors Megan Erk, Diane Bridgeman • Nominate a Health Hero • State Earmarks $30 Million for Highway 1 Improvements • Santa Cruz County Jobs

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Red Cross Honors Megan Erk, Diane Bridgeman

On April 27, the American Red Cross of the Central Coast honored chapter volunteers from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties giving Dr. Diane Bridgeman of Santa Cruz the top honor, the Clara Barton Award.

Named after the founder of the American Red Cross, the award recognizes a volunteer for service in a series of leadership position over a number of years.

A volunteer in Santa Cruz County since 1991, Dr. Bridgeman has been a staple of the local chapter’s Disaster Cycle Services and Service to the Armed Forces teams. She has also made significant contributions to the International Services department.

“A member of our chapter for 30 years, Dr. Diane Bridgeman is really the embodiment of compassion turned to action,” said Michele Averill, CEO of the local chapter. “As the territory lead for Red Cross mental health services, Dr. Bridgeman is constantly called upon to take care of our local workforce, aid residents affected by disasters, and provide compassionate support to our local communities during incidents that involve mass casualties.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Megan Erk of Aptos. She stepped up as COVID-19 broke out in March of 2020. She jumped in to support American Red Cross blood drives with thoughtful reassurances of safety to donors and the broader community. She became an active board member at the chapter level as well as on the regional executive board.

When wildfires broke out last fall, and when there was potential for mudslides during the winter, she

Photo courtesy of American Red Cross Aptos’ Megan Erk, on deployment due to a Texas Hurricane. took on the Emergency Operations Center liaison role, working 18-hour days to ensure the Red Cross communicated with the county, partners, and survivors honestly and deliberately. She has now been promoted to the Pacific Division External Relations Lead, proving her professional and thoughtful communications approach.

Other volunteers also were recognized at the virtual event: • Disaster Cycle Services Award / Exceptional Leadership — Edmund Tang (Santa Cruz) • Disaster Cycle Services Award / Extraordinary

Commitment and Dedication — Al & Virginia

Becker (Santa Cruz) • International Services Award — Jill Hofmann (Santa Cruz) • Biomedical Services Volunteer of the Year Award — Ben Roumimper (Santa Cruz) • General Support Services Award — Lee Hedgepeth (Monterey) • New Volunteer Award — Ann Bennett Young (Santa Cruz) • Good Neighbor and Partnership Award — Denise

Acosta, The Salvation Army of Santa Cruz

Other volunteers were celebrated for the large number of hours they devoted to Red Cross service during the 2020 calendar year.

The annual event is designed to acknowledge all of the local Red Cross volunteers.

“Our dedicated and wonderful volunteers have continued to support the mission of the Red Cross, even during this challenging time of COVID-19,” said Averill. “Their selfless contributions of time and energy make the work of the Red Cross possible.” n

Nominate a Health Hero

If there ever was a time to celebrate a health hero, this is it!

Our Pajaro Valley community is coming through COVID now because we each stepped up to help ensure our own and other’s safety. But some individuals stepped out beyond their role, their job, or their service in the care of others’ health and well-being during the pandemic. And still others have played a role over many years in transforming the health outlook of the Pajaro Valley.

Help us honor those who have contributed in truly unique ways to a healthier, more equitable community, and nominate them for the Community Health Trust’s annual Phil Rather Award for Leadership in Healthcare (https://pvhealthtrust.org/ honoringthelegacy/)

Since 1999, the Community Health Trust has recognized the work of individuals and organizations with the Rather Award, named in honor of Mr. Rather’s legacy of service to the Pájaro Valley community. Over three decades Phil Rather advocated for access to healthcare for Pájaro Valley residents, especially those facing economic and social barriers. And he championed the creation of the Community Health Trust’s Diabetes Health Center (https://pvhealthtrust.org/programs/diabetes-health-center/) which has filled a significant gap in diabetes prevention and self-management education services for the community.

If you know someone who, like Phil Rather, has taken action to build a culture of good health and well-being in the Pajaro Valley, nominate them today! (https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/N6LC89Q) ~~~

We would love to hear from you. Take our short surveys to hear what’s important to you as a donor and to provide input on our 2021 signature annual event, An Evening of Wine & Roses! You could even win a chance for free tickets to the event.

Donor & Partner Survey: https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/NPPLX2L •••

State Earmarks $30 Million for Highway 1 Improvements

On June 30, the California Transportation Commission allocated more than $30.3 million for the 41st Avenue to Soquel Avenue Auxiliary Lanes Project on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County.

The project will include auxiliary lanes from 41st Avenue to Soquel Avenue and a pedestrian/bicycle overcrossing at Mar Vista Drive.

The final environmental impact report was released in mid-May and is posted at https://sccrtc.org/projects/ streets-highways/hwy1corridor/ bayporter-statepark/.

Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounts for $29.8 million of this investment.

“This major allocation by the California Transportation Commission will improve safety for pedestrians and bicycle riders in the communities of Santa Cruz and Capitola. This important project is moving forward as a direct result of SB-1 and our commitment to multi-modal transportation,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. •••

Santa Cruz County Jobs

Report posted June 18 May unemployment 6.8%

May 2021 Change from a year ago

Leisure & hospitality 9,500 Up 2,000 Trade/transportation/ 16,200 Up 2,000 utilities Manufacturing 7,100 Up 700 Private ed. & health 17,100 Up 700 Other services 4,500 Up 500 Prof. & biz services 10,500 Up 300 Construction 4,500 Up 300 Financial 3,100 0 Information 500 0 Government 19,400 Down 900 Nonfarm 92,400 Up 5,600 Farm 9.900 Up 900

Total 102,300 Up 6,500

Labor Force 132,000 Up .5%

Employed

123,000 Up 9.3% Unemployed 9,000 Down 52%

Count is on the 12th of the month. *Includes commuting to jobs outside county

Sources: California Employment Development Department