The Student Government Association at Bakersfield College had planned a Community Week for Feb. 22 to Feb 26. According to Bethany Rice, member of SGA and organizer of the event, the event was meant to show students the opportunities for “community [service] in the community.”
According to Rice, the event has been “rescheduled . or canceled” due to the community service organizations having “other commitments this year,” although on Feb. 23, the Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross had a booth next to the Fireside Room. The Kern Chapter of the Red Cross’ primary mission is assisting victims of fires.
According to Martin Jimenez, a volunteer at the booth, they provide food, shelter and hotel rooms to these victims in Bakersfield and Kern County. Heather Miller, another volunteer at the booth, said the goals of these efforts are to “make sure they [the victims] have a place to stay.”
The response from Bakersfield College students was low. Jimenez said, “We only got four applications.”
Miller had a more positive outlook, saying “[that] four applications is pretty good.” She said that the more general goal of the booth was to “let people know Red Cross is here. [Let people know about the] Bakersfield chapter.”
There are many ways BC students can contribute to the local Red Cross. Jimenez said that you can do everything from clean floors to joining the Disaster Action Team.
The Disaster Action Team is a team of volunteers that gives immediate relief to victims of local fires.
According to Jimenez, the DAT goes to these victims in groups of 15 to 20 volunteers. He said that families displaced by fires are sometimes provided food and shelter that night.
The Kern Chapter of the Red Cross is also available to respond in case of dire emergencies. Jimenez said, “If there were an earthquake . [we would] build shelters.”
The organization also helps out people around the world in need. The Kern Red Cross has raised $121,000 for Haiti relief. The Red Cross makes all its donations and does all its volunteer work without government funding.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Red Cross, call 324-6427 for more information.