American Red Cross of Ventura County

The American Red Cross of Ventura County is hosting the Second Annual Operation: Ride for the Red cycling event on November 12, 2016, at the Red Cross office located at 836 Calle Plano, Camarillo, CA 93012. The event, which will benefit the local Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Program, begins with the first riders leaving at 6:30 a.m.

This event has received a proclamation from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in support of the ride and its cause. Support has also poured in from local companies who have joined the ride as sponsors including California Resources Corporation, Wells Fargo and Aviara Real Estate in Thousand Oaks among others.

There are four ride routes to choose from which vary in length between 5, 30, 50 and 100 miles, traversing Port Hueneme, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, and Channel Islands Air National Guard Station. All routes will start and end at the Red Cross office. Registration fees start at $50. Participants are asked to fundraise additional money for the cause and will receive a free t-shirt for participating. Anyone who does not wish to ride but would like to donate to the program, can do so online through the event’s Crowdrise page.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Red Cross SAF program which aims to provide humanitarian support to military members, veterans and their families around the clock and around the globe, under a trusted symbol. These support services include 24/7 global emergency communication services and support to military and veteran health care facilities across the country and overseas. The Red Cross helps families cope with deployments and support returning combat veterans as they reintegrate into the community.

Last year the Red Cross provided nearly 36,000 emergency communication services to more than 115,000 military members and their families, distributed more than 136,000 care, comfort and therapy items at military hospitals and medical facilities, and served nearly 23,000 individuals through rehabilitation and morale programs.

The SAF goal for the Central California region is to continue providing exceptional support to our military members and their families while expanding our direct support services to veterans. With increased support from this event, the Red Cross would be able to provide increased comfort and morale items and events, reintegration training and education, as well as improved support and partnership with other Veteran Service Organizations.

Learn more by visiting RedCross.org/OperationRide.

About the American Red Cross Central California Region
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Central California Region provides services to the ten counties across Central California that is home to more than 4 million people. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org.