Dear Editor:

On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton established the American Red Cross. This year, the American Red Cross celebrates 125 years of service – a special anniversary for all Americans. If we look back over the last 125 years of U.S. history, a clear constant is evident: the American Red Cross has been at the forefront of every single major event and disaster, providing aid and comfort that includes emergency food, clothing, shelter and mental health counseling to those in need.

Through 125 years of war and peace, the American Red Cross has been there to stand beside firefighters, police officers, medics and the lifeguards at the local swimming pool. Efforts have remained focused on assisting citizens at home and our troops abroad. Along the way, the Red Cross has been a pioneer in first aid training, water safety, and the collection and distribution of lifesaving blood.

Right here at home, the St. Louis Area Chapter was founded in 1917 and has a proud history of serving people throughout the metropolitan area in Missouri and Illinois. The chapter, a United Way agency, touched the community more than 407,000 times last year. These community support services included the training of more than 84,000 residents in first aid and CPR, nearly 61,000 individuals in community disaster education workshops and preparedness drills, and more than 36,000 people in Learn-to-Swim programs and lifeguard certification.

In addition, last year more than 19,000 local residents participated in community education focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention, more than 6,000 military personnel and families were assisted through Armed Forces Emergency Services, and 4,300 people were educated in the International Services of the Red Cross movement worldwide. Finally, more than 3,200 blood drives were staffed by dedicated Red Cross volunteers, and more than 1,000 families received emergency assistance from Red Cross Disaster Action Teams and caseworkers after losing their homes to fire. Again, all of this in just one year!

Over the last 125 years, the irreplaceable constant within the American Red Cross has been the value of its remarkable volunteers. The vast majority of Red Cross work is accomplished through volunteer service. When we look back on the devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunami, house fires and many other local disasters and emergencies of 2005, Red Cross volunteers led the way in providing help and hope to those in need, just as they do every year.

As we celebrate 125 years of American Red Cross programs and services, we thank each and every one of you for helping the Red Cross be there for those in need. The Red Cross could not do what it does each day without the generosity of the public. Whether you are a dedicated volunteer, a financial donor, a blood donor, or if you’ve received lifesaving Red Cross training, your support and community involvement are vitally important and sincerely appreciated. When you help the American Red Cross, you help America.

Many thanks for your continued support,

Louis T. Maull IV
Chairman of the Board
St. Louis Area Chapter

Joseph C. White
Chief Executive Officer
St. Louis Area Chapter

Also Published: Jefferson County Journal, Meramec Journal, Mid Rivers Newsmagazine, News Democrat Journal, O’Fallon Journal, Spanish Lake Word, St. Charles Journal, St. Louis Chinese American, St. Peters Journal, Wentzville Journal and others. 

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