american+red+cross

American Red Cross __Mission statement __ American red crosses mission is to alleviate suffering around the world. __Story __ as one of the nation’s charity organizations, the American Red Cross is made to help people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross networks, throughout the globe. We depend on the many kind contributions of rescources from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs. Clara Barto and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. Barton first heard of the Swiss-inspired global Red Cross network while visiting Europe following the Civil War. Returning home, she campaigned for an American Red Cross and for ratification of the Geneva Convention protecting the war-injured, which the United States ratified in 1882. Barton led the Red Cross for 23 years, during which time we conducted our first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts, aided the United States military during the Spanish-American War, and campaigned successfully for the inclusion of peacetime relief work as part of the global Red Cross network–the so-called “American Amendment” that initially met with some resistance in Europe. The Red Cross received our first congressional charter in 1900 and a second five years later, the year after Barton resigned from the organization. This charter–which remains in effect today–sets forth the purposes of the organization which include giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation. Prior to the First World War, the Red Cross introduced its first aid, water safety, and public health nursing programs. With the outbreak of war, the organization experienced phenomenal growth. The number of local chapters jumped from 107 in 1914 to 3,864 in 1918 and membership grew from 17,000 to over 20 million adult and 11 million Junior Red Cross members. The public contributed $400 million in funds and material to support Red Cross programs, including those for American and Allied forces and civilian refugees. The Red Cross staffed hospitals and ambulance companies and recruited 20,000 registered nurses to serve the military. Additional Red Cross nurses came forward to combat the worldwide influenza epidemic of 1918. After the war, the Red Cross focused on service to veterans and enhanced our programs in safety training, accident prevention, home care for the sick, and nutrition education. We also provided relief for victims of such major disasters as the Mississippi River floods in 1927 and severe drought and the Depression during the 1930s. The Second World War called upon the Red Cross to provide extensive services once again to the U.S. military, Allies, and civilian war victims. We enrolled more than 104,000 nurses for military service, prepared 27 million packages for American and Allied prisoners of war, and shipped over 300,000 tons of supplies overseas. At the military’s request, the Red Cross also initiated a national blood program that collected 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces. After, the Red Cross introduced the first nationwide civilian blood program that now supplies more than 40 percent of the blood and blood products in this country. During the 1990s, we engineered a massive modernization of our blood services operations to improve the safety of our blood products. We continued to give services to members of the armed forces and their families, including during the asian, and Gulf wars. The Red Cross also expanded our services into such fields as defense, CPR training, disease education, and the provision of emotional care and support in the wake of disasters. Since 06’, the Red Cross and FEMA have worked together helping government agencies and community organizations plan, coordinate and provide feeding, sheltering and family reunification services for people affected by disasters.

__How are they making a difference in our world __ The red cross has been helping with things from disaster relief to donating blood __Why should we care about their mission __ We should care because we want world peace __We can contact them at… __ 1-800-REDCROSS

__Upcoming events/fundraisers __ Friday, May 17th: 4th Annual Jazz and Wine Fest. Spyglass Ridge Winery in Sunbury, 105 Carroll Rd Sunbury, PA 17801. Come join the fun at the 4th Annual Jazz and Wine Fest at Spyglass Ridge Winery in Sunbury. Nibble, dip and tap, while you peruse our fabulous gift baskets and selected live auction items. Then join forces and bid to win! Furniture, Vacation Packages and Gourmet Dinners for 6 prepared and served in your home. Call the SUN Area Chapter for more information: 570-524-0400 Ext 1602. SUN AREA EVENTS

Friday, May 17: Cumberland Valley Golf Outing - Whitetail Golf Resort, 11573 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg, PA. Spend a day on the golf course with your friends while helping to raise money for the Red Cross. More Cumberland Valley Chapter Events

Friday, May 17: Golf Outing - Cool Creek Golf Course, 300 Cool Creek Road, Wrightsville, PA 17406- 2 flights beginning at 7:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Choose one of two flights and spend the morning or afternoon golfing for a great cause! More Susquehanna Valley Chapter Events

Saturday, May 18: Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community - Harrisburg Area Community College, One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110- Registration and check in begins at 7:45 a.m. Join us for this great 5k event hosted by Highmark Blue Shield.

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 21.3333px;">Wednesday, May 22: Centre Gives Online Donation Event - www.centregives.org - On May 22nd at 6:00am to May 23rd at 6:00pm, friends of the American Red Cross are asked to visit this website: www.centregives.org and select the American Red Cross in order to give a gift (using their credit card; minimum gift $25) to help support Red Cross services in Centre Communities. There will be EXTRA money from prizes awarded throughout the day, as well as match of donor dollars. More Centre Communities Chapter Events

<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 21.3333px;">Thursday, June 13: 2013 Annual Meeting - Acorn Farms, 3141 Mt Joy-Manheim Rd., Mt Joy, PA 17552 - Join us for breakfast at the annual meeting of volunteers, donors and staff, where we will have a review of 2013, & election of board members. More Susquehanna Valley Chapter Events