AMERICAN RED CROSS DUBUQUE COUNTY CHAPTER

AMERICAN RED CROSS DUBUQUE COUNTY CHAPTER. The American Red Cross was established in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881, by Clara Barton, its first president. The first local chapter was established in 1881 at the English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dansville, New York.

The Red Cross is a nationwide network of 264 chapters and 36 blood service regions. Approximately 166,000 Red Cross volunteers, including FemaCorps and AmeriCorps members, and 30,000 employees annually mobilize relief to people affected by more than 67,000 disasters, train almost 4 million people in necessary medical skills and exchange more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their family members. (1)

ARC is the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the US, supplying 2,600 hospitals (approximately 39% of the US blood supply). The charity also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts worldwide, connecting separated family members. In 2006, the organization had over $6 billion in total revenues, though revenues have fallen since Katrina. At that time, revenue from blood and blood products alone was over $2 billion - biological services generally represents about 63% of total operating expenses, though the unit often operates at a deficit. (2)

The Red Cross provided communication and assistance to military members and their families. This was mandated by the military because the Red Cross provides independent verification. The organization also provided disaster relief; education about first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness; and blood services. (3)

Beginning with the CIVIL WAR, the United States had a Red Cross Society. According to the Geneva Convention of 1864 signed by forty-four countries, the Red Cross flag, a Geneva Red Cross on a white band, signaled neutrality and was not to be fired upon. All wounded were treated equallyIt fell into disrepute because of its inability to report is financial condition and died. In 1904 Congress granted a new charter to the American Red Cross Society with regulations to prevent the mistakes of the past being repeated. William Howard Taft, later President of the United States, was one of its incorporators and also its first president. State organizations, organized by Mabel Boardman, were backed by district organizations with annual dues of one dollar. Life membership cost $25.00. The entire organization was under the supervision of the War Department. (4)

The Red Cross was active in Dubuque by 1917 as the United States entered WORLD WAR I. In April of that year "Preparation of Surgical Dressings," a course of eight lessons each three hours long, was presented at the Red Cross Shop at 9th and Main. The class was given for anyone wishing to obtain a certificate to be a nurse's aid. There was no fee, but participants had to be a Red Cross member. Other news included socks made for the GOVERNOR'S GREYS were sold to them for fifteen cents--a ten cent savings over others available to them. (5)

The 1966 Dubuque City Directory listed 421 Stampfer Building.

The 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 1200 Main.

The 1989 through 2014 Dubuque City Directory listed 2400 Asbury Road.

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Source:

1. "American Red Cross," Wikipedia, Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Red_Cross

2. Ibid.

3. Hogstrom, Erik, "Red Cross Keeps Connection Between Families, Military," Telegraph Herald, August 13 2013, p. 3

4. "The Red Cross and Its Work," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, September 1, 1905, p. 6

5. "Red Cross Notes," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald April 29, 1917, p. 11