The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Chapter History

“It is not in its past that glories of the benefits of the Red Cross lie, but in the possibilities it has created for the future; in the lessons it has taught; in the avenues to human effort it has opened.”

The St. Louis Area Chapter traces its beginning to 1884, when Red Cross founder Clara Barton came to St. Louis to provide disaster relief. In the spring of that year, she stood at the edge of the swollen Mississippi River in St. Louis, studying the flood damage. There was no organized relief effort, so she ordered a boat and supplies and, on April 4, she headed down the treacherous waters from St. Louis. Her “life boat” provided badly needed help all the way to Cairo, Illinois and then up the Ohio River. She recorded her eventful, often dangerous trip in her journal. She would later retell parts of her rescue adventure in her book, “The Red Cross: In Peace and War.”

When Clara Barton visited St. Louis in 1884, her new relief organization had been officially recognized for only three years. A chartered St. Louis chapter of the Red Cross was not to exist until 1917.

Between 1884 and 1917, a group of interested citizens provided disaster services under direction of the national organization. Their activities intensified with the advent of World War I, and relief to the military became the primary purpose of local Red Cross volunteers.

A Chapter is Born

Finally, on January 22, 1917, with Mrs. Frank V. Hammar as its first chairperson, the St. Louis chapter was officially chartered. Other Red Cross groups were also organizing, and the Webster Groves chapter actually received its charter a few months earlier than St. Louis – in 1916. The St. Clair County, Illinois and the St. Charles County, Missouri chapters both began in 1917; the East St. Louis, Illinois chapter was formed in 1922.

The first project of the newly charted St. Louis Chapter was the production of relief materials for victims of World War I. Some other early projects included a $3 million Red Cross War Fund Drive in 1919, and two major services -- the Military Relief Department and the Civilian Relief Department. As soon as the war ended, the chapter quickly expanded into public health nursing, concentrating on serving discharged American soldiers.

In 1937, the St. Louis Chapter introduced a vocational counseling service, and was involved in such diverse activities as Braille transcribing, home hygiene and lifesaving instruction. That same year, the chapter spent more than $400,000 on Ohio and Mississippi Valley flood relief, completing the circle started by Clara Barton with her 1884 visit.

Post-War Boom

With the onset of World War II in December 1941, a Blood Donor Service started. By the end of the war approximately 424,000 pints of blood had been donated and processed. Other wartime projects included the production of surgical dressings, sweaters, kit bags and prisoner of war packages. During the war, 2,500 local women volunteers produced an average of 14,000 POW packages daily.

The post-war years saw the introduction of many Red Cross programs. The St. Louis Regional Blood Program was introduced in 1948, and by 1958 more than 800,000 pints of blood had been collected and distributed within a 250-mile radius of the City of St. Louis. That same year, a Bi-State Chapter emerged when chapters in St. Clair County, St. Charles County and East St. Louis consolidated their efforts.

Helping Vietnam soldiers

The 1960s saw increased work with aging citizens, the chronically ill, and the mentally or physically handicapped. Red Cross Service to Military Families was of immeasurable help to the Vietnam soldiers, veterans and their families. In 1969 alone, more than 34,000 families were aided by the chapter.

In the 1970s, the Bi-State Chapter focused its efforts on dealing with many of the social and economic ills that plagued the country. Health and safety instruction increased in an effort to enhance both the quality of life and individual self-reliance. The blood program also expanded, becoming the sixth largest collector and processor of blood in the nation. The program also began important blood research work.

Focus on Community

During the 1980s, HIV/AIDS education, testing and counseling became integrated into local Red Cross services. In 1985, the Red Cross started the “Lifesaver Awards,” which honor individuals who used Red Cross techniques to save or sustain a life. When severe floods and tornadoes occurred in 1986 and 1987, the Chapter spent $5 million on disaster relief efforts. The Chapter expanded its community reach with the addition of district offices in Jefferson County and Scott Air Force Base in 1987.

In 1992, the American Red Cross formally separated governance and management of the Missouri Illinois Blood Region and the St. Louis Bi-State Chapter. The Floods of 1993 were one of the largest disaster responses to date for the Red Cross. In all, the Red Cross operated 51 shelters, delivered nearly 2 million meals, and provided more than $18.7 million in relief. By 1995, the Bi-State Chapter had expanded its offices to a new location in Creve Coeur. The 1990s also saw the creation of the Aquatic Examiner program, still active today, that evaluates aquatic facilities and the skills of lifeguards. As a service to the growing Bosnian population in St. Louis, the Chapter provided tracing and messaging to refugees from Bosnia and Kosovo.

Keeping St. Louis Prepared

The events of September 11, 2001, led to an increased interest from the community in volunteering for the Red Cross. That year, more than 14,000 people volunteered time for the Red Cross, while St. Louis individuals and businesses donated more than $6 million to the Red Cross Liberty Fund. In 2003, the Red Cross launched “Together We Prepare,” a comprehensive effort to help Americans prepare for future disasters of all types. From diseases and natural disasters to terrorism, the Red Cross has been adapting and learning to respond to new and unprecedented threats. In 2008, the St. Louis Area Chapter became the first Red Cross chapter in the country to reach “High Level III Readiness.” In the event of a disaster in St. Louis, the Red Cross is prepared to immediately shelter and care for up to 600 families without assistance from the American National Red Cross. And in 2009, the St. Louis Area Chapter served as a national model to encourage schools, businesses and organizations to become better prepared through the creation of the “Ready Rating™ Program” that is currently expanding across the nation.

Today

Today, the Red Cross continues to fulfill its mission by helping our neighbors every day, whether they are down the street, across the country or around the world. When a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, the Red Cross responded by pledging an initial $1,000,000 and immediately began coordinating available resources to help those communities affected. In just one month after the earthquake, the Red Cross had committed $80 million in relief aid and began collaborating with other humanitarian agencies to coordinate a long-term recovery plan for the country of Haiti.

Click here for a full history of The American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Chapter History

“It is not in its past that glories of the benefits of the Red Cross lie, but in the possibilities it has created for the future; in the lessons it has taught; in the avenues to human effort it has opened.”

The St. Louis Area Chapter traces its beginning to 1884, when Red Cross founder Clara Barton came to St. Louis to provide disaster relief. In the spring of that year, she stood at the edge of the swollen Mississippi River in St. Louis, studying the flood damage. There was no organized relief effort, so she ordered a boat and supplies and, on April 4, she headed down the treacherous waters from St. Louis. Her “life boat” provided badly needed help all the way to Cairo, Illinois and then up the Ohio River. She recorded her eventful, often dangerous trip in her journal. She would later retell parts of her rescue adventure in her book, “The Red Cross: In Peace and War.”

When Clara Barton visited St. Louis in 1884, her new relief organization had been officially recognized for only three years. A chartered St. Louis chapter of the Red Cross was not to exist until 1917.

Between 1884 and 1917, a group of interested citizens provided disaster services under direction of the national organization. Their activities intensified with the advent of World War I, and relief to the military became the primary purpose of local Red Cross volunteers.

A Chapter is Born

Finally, on January 22, 1917, with Mrs. Frank V. Hammar as its first chairperson, the St. Louis chapter was officially chartered. Other Red Cross groups were also organizing, and the Webster Groves chapter actually received its charter a few months earlier than St. Louis – in 1916. The St. Clair County, Illinois and the St. Charles County, Missouri chapters both began in 1917; the East St. Louis, Illinois chapter was formed in 1922.

The first project of the newly charted St. Louis Chapter was the production of relief materials for victims of World War I. Some other early projects included a $3 million Red Cross War Fund Drive in 1919, and two major services -- the Military Relief Department and the Civilian Relief Department. As soon as the war ended, the chapter quickly expanded into public health nursing, concentrating on serving discharged American soldiers.

In 1937, the St. Louis Chapter introduced a vocational counseling service, and was involved in such diverse activities as Braille transcribing, home hygiene and lifesaving instruction. That same year, the chapter spent more than $400,000 on Ohio and Mississippi Valley flood relief, completing the circle started by Clara Barton with her 1884 visit.

Post-War Boom

With the onset of World War II in December 1941, a Blood Donor Service started. By the end of the war approximately 424,000 pints of blood had been donated and processed. Other wartime projects included the production of surgical dressings, sweaters, kit bags and prisoner of war packages. During the war, 2,500 local women volunteers produced an average of 14,000 POW packages daily.

The post-war years saw the introduction of many Red Cross programs. The St. Louis Regional Blood Program was introduced in 1948, and by 1958 more than 800,000 pints of blood had been collected and distributed within a 250-mile radius of the City of St. Louis. That same year, a Bi-State Chapter emerged when chapters in St. Clair County, St. Charles County and East St. Louis consolidated their efforts.

Helping Vietnam soldiers

The 1960s saw increased work with aging citizens, the chronically ill, and the mentally or physically handicapped. Red Cross Service to Military Families was of immeasurable help to the Vietnam soldiers, veterans and their families. In 1969 alone, more than 34,000 families were aided by the chapter.

In the 1970s, the Bi-State Chapter focused its efforts on dealing with many of the social and economic ills that plagued the country. Health and safety instruction increased in an effort to enhance both the quality of life and individual self-reliance. The blood program also expanded, becoming the sixth largest collector and processor of blood in the nation. The program also began important blood research work.

Focus on Community

During the 1980s, HIV/AIDS education, testing and counseling became integrated into local Red Cross services. In 1985, the Red Cross started the “Lifesaver Awards,” which honor individuals who used Red Cross techniques to save or sustain a life. When severe floods and tornadoes occurred in 1986 and 1987, the Chapter spent $5 million on disaster relief efforts. The Chapter expanded its community reach with the addition of district offices in Jefferson County and Scott Air Force Base in 1987.

In 1992, the American Red Cross formally separated governance and management of the Missouri Illinois Blood Region and the St. Louis Bi-State Chapter. The Floods of 1993 were one of the largest disaster responses to date for the Red Cross. In all, the Red Cross operated 51 shelters, delivered nearly 2 million meals, and provided more than $18.7 million in relief. By 1995, the Bi-State Chapter had expanded its offices to a new location in Creve Coeur. The 1990s also saw the creation of the Aquatic Examiner program, still active today, that evaluates aquatic facilities and the skills of lifeguards. As a service to the growing Bosnian population in St. Louis, the Chapter provided tracing and messaging to refugees from Bosnia and Kosovo.

Keeping St. Louis Prepared

The events of September 11, 2001, led to an increased interest from the community in volunteering for the Red Cross. That year, more than 14,000 people volunteered time for the Red Cross, while St. Louis individuals and businesses donated more than $6 million to the Red Cross Liberty Fund. In 2003, the Red Cross launched “Together We Prepare,” a comprehensive effort to help Americans prepare for future disasters of all types. From diseases and natural disasters to terrorism, the Red Cross has been adapting and learning to respond to new and unprecedented threats. In 2008, the St. Louis Area Chapter became the first Red Cross chapter in the country to reach “High Level III Readiness.” In the event of a disaster in St. Louis, the Red Cross is prepared to immediately shelter and care for up to 600 families without assistance from the American National Red Cross. And in 2009, the St. Louis Area Chapter served as a national model to encourage schools, businesses and organizations to become better prepared through the creation of the “Ready Rating™ Program” that is currently expanding across the nation.

Today

Today, the Red Cross continues to fulfill its mission by helping our neighbors every day, whether they are down the street, across the country or around the world. When a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, the Red Cross responded by pledging an initial $1,000,000 and immediately began coordinating available resources to help those communities affected. In just one month after the earthquake, the Red Cross had committed $80 million in relief aid and began collaborating with other humanitarian agencies to coordinate a long-term recovery plan for the country of Haiti.

Click here for a full history of The American Red Cross.