Pat Boyle                                                                                                     

Junior Theology

August 31, 2006

American Red Cross

            The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, who served as the voluntary president until 1904.  Barton first got the idea from the Swiss Red Cross Movement, and she immediately established the American Red Cross.  The organization was fully committed to serving the country, even under the roughest conditions.  In 1900, the Red Cross received a federal charter, which gave them the title of a “federal instrumentality,” which means the organization is tax exempt, but has to carry out special duties stated in the charter.

Although the Red Cross was getting national recognition, the organization remained small (about 17,000) until around 1918, which was the beginning or World War I.  In 1918, the group grew to over 20 million adults, and more than 11 million Junior Red Cross members.  By the time WWII came, the Red Cross was donating millions of care packages, and had over 100,000 nurses enlist.

In the last 50 years, the organization has continued to grow, and today they offer much more than war support.  A blood donation program was established during the WWII, and now provides over 50% of the blood in this country.  The Red Cross also instituted an HIV/AIDS education program for teens, a human tissue bank, and emotional care to families of victims of disaster. 

The Red Cross is still existent today, and it continues to serve people every single day.  And to think, the entire organization is run by volunteers, and all the money comes from donations.  The Red Cross is a perfect example of a faith organization that stays faithful under the worst conditions.

- The symbol of the American Red Cross.

 

 

  - A Red Cross propaganda poster.