The American Red Cross – 125 years of helping from the heart

In the past 125 years, many seemingly enduring institutions—even entire countries—have come and gone, among them, United Artist Pictures, Plymouth Automobiles and even the Soviet Union. But the American Red Cross remains—125 years strong.  Founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, the celebrated Civil War “Angel of the Battlefields,” the American Red Cross has not merely survived the test of time, but often helped define our times.  The Red Cross endures because it taps into something deep in the heart of Americans—the shared desire to reach out to help when our neighbors are in need. 
     The history of the American Red Cross reads like the history of America.  For 125 years the vision of neighbors helping neighbors has guided the Red Cross to help our nation through some of its most challenging times. It has galvanized our people in compassionate response through two World Wars, the Influenza Epidemic of 1918, and the great depression.  In the wake of virtually every natural disaster from the Johnstown flood to the recent string of devastating hurricanes, the Red Cross was there.  Along the way, it pioneered first aid and swimming training, blood banking and disaster preparedness—saving millions of lives in the process.
     Here in Gaston County the Red Cross has a long and proud history. The Gaston County Chapter was founded in 1917.
     But the Red Cross is far from a static institution, locked in its own history.  It is a living, breathing organism, adapting, improving and making history every day. Its only constant has been the essential role of volunteers.  Clara Barton led the Red Cross, as a volunteer, for more than 20 years, setting the standard for voluntary service that continues to fuel the Red Cross.  Today more than 95% of all Red Cross workers are still volunteers.  That means that the smiling face that comforts you after a fire, teaches you how to save a life with CPR, or delivers an urgent message to a family member in the military, may belong to one of your own neighbors. A friend you didn’t know you had. 
     Led by the work of volunteers, Red Cross chapters responded to almost 73,000 disasters last year—more than any year in our history.  They taught almost 15 million people lifesaving skills, from first aid to swimming. More than 233,000 Americans gave up weeks, and sometimes months, volunteering for the Red Cross during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Last year, 3.6 million volunteers gave blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross. Hundreds of thousands more gave their time to teach first aid, help neighbors after home fires, assist military families, and so much more.
     Red Cross volunteers may work for free, but they receive rewards far greater than money—they know in their hearts that they did the right thing, helped someone in need or shared a lifesaving skill.  They know that they are part of something bigger than themselves.  That explains why Red Cross services are provided free of charge—because they are a gift—straight from the heart.  So long as generosity, caring and the willingness to extend a helping hand live in the American heart, the Red Cross will turn that compassion into action—today and over the next 125 years.