The Bakersfield College AmeriCorps program sponsored the Disaster Awareness Workshop and Readiness Fair, which was held at the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Baker Street in Bakersfield.

It was a day for becoming informed and a chance to enjoy the food, which was donated by La Colonia restaurant, and entertainment provided by Joe Garcia and Santos, better known as Joe (Loco) & Santos.

When asked about what it took for this group of AmeriCorps members to prepare for this program, Sonya Jeffery, director of the AmeriCorps program at BC, said, “Members started in April, and five months’ worth of planning went into making sure that the day went off without a hitch.”

From making sure that the speakers were lined up, to arranging for the food and entertainment, it was the dedication of the members that proved teamwork is the way of success.

According to Sandra Begen, the resource coordinator at the center, there was a lot of interest on the part of her clients to come to the event, but transportation posed a problem so the turnout was small.

Among the speakers was Rick Craft, from the local Kern Chapter of the Red Cross. He spoke on safety and health and about being trained in CPR and first aid.

Jeremy Scheidle, from State Farm Insurance, spoke on having your insurance updated and having the right insurance.

Rounding out the speakers was Rosa Lopez, representing the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc.

Letha Battle, a client of the Center, said that she really enjoyed the event, and she got information that she could use even if there is no disaster. She thought the young people were very helpful and said that she would come again.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages 50,000 Americans age 17 and older each year in an intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other unmet human needs.

Isabel Castaneda, who is the program assistant for AmeriCorps, said, “AmeriCorps members do a lot in the community like working with kids, seniors, church groups, Red Cross, and even the police.”

Castaneda said that the program is currently recruiting new members and anyone interested may contact her at 395-4839 or Hazel Cole at 395-4277.