A  History of the Cornhusker Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross

 

The onset of World War I found local organizations and groups gathering for civilian relief work for our boys in the service. The first organized Red Cross service project in Lancaster County started in 1916, a year before we became a chartered chapter. It was organized for making bandages, surgical dressings and clothing for military hospitals. One floor of Gold’s Department Store was used for surgical dressings. As a result, the Lincoln Chapter of the American Red Cross with jurisdiction over the entire County was organized on May 5, 1917, with Mr. W. E. Hardy as Chairman. A charter was issued at this time to the Chapter.

 

The record of the Chapter during the period of the War is outstanding. The Chapter was responsible for the execution of all services assumed by the American Red Cross during wartime, meeting all financial and supply quotas to support the operation of the American National Red Cross. Few Red Cross services have done more to boost morale of men in uniform than the Canteen organized in 1917. Khaki-clad women and girls served coffee and doughnuts to men at the railroad station as they embarked for overseas. Production Service prepared surgical dressings and hospital supplies for shipment overseas and assistance in the organization and equipment of Base Hospital No. 49, organized under the auspices of the Medical College of the University of Nebraska and registration of trained nurses for Red Cross service.

  

The Lincoln youth wanted to be involved in the war effort. In 1917, Junior Red Cross was launched nationally by President Woodrow Wilson. Youth helped by collecting scrap metal, planting victory gardens and helping with sewing projects for military hospitals.  

Following the Armistice, the Chapter recognized its responsibility for service to ex-service men returning   to their homes in Lancaster County or passing through the city of Lincoln to home elsewhere. Service to these men in connection with the preparation of their claims for governmental compensation, vocational training and service to their dependents was undertaken by the Chapter.  

 

February 1920 the Chapter initiated a Nursing Service where three specially trained nurses were employed to make home visits largely in rural Lancaster County.

  

1921 through 1924 arrangements were effected between the University of Nebraska and  Lancaster County Chapter and the American National Red Cross to provide a part time instructor to students at the University of Nebraska in preparing candidates for positions in Red Cross service.

 

In 1923 a movement for the organization of the Community Chest was initiated in Lincoln. The movement was endorsed and the affiliation of the Chapter with the Community Chest organization was approved.

  

Red Cross Life Saving programs originated with Water Carnivals where life saving certificates were issued to Lincoln people. 

 

In 1925, the local Chapter continued the responsibility for services to ex-servicemen in their capacity as local units of the American National Red Cross. And, at this time, turned its attention to the development of other Red Cross services needed in the community.  A Disaster Relief Committee was ready to act on a moment’s notice in case of a disaster in Lancaster County.

  

On May 21, 1930 the Red Cross celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

 

September 1932, the Emergency Shop set up at the old Bryant School building in Lincoln was an emergency loan center that provided linens, medical appliances and other sick room supplies for home care of the ill.  Clothing was provided for needy children starting school. There was still much unemployment in the city.

The first Red Cross Gray Lady unit in the Midwest was capped January 22, 1932. The ceremony was at the newly constructed Lincoln Veterans Hospital.

Highway First Aid Stations were set up in Lancaster County in 1935. They were usually located in filling stations where an employee was trained in first aid.

World War II found the Motor Corp transferring volunteers and supplies to the Air Base  Veterans Hospital and to projects throughout the county. The training course for drivers included 32 hours of first aid, 50 hours of motor mechanic maintenance emergency repair driving problems and map reading.

During the 1940s, Gray Ladies served at the State Mental Hospital and set up the ward adoption plan whereby local civic clubs, churches and businesses each “adopted” a hospital ward to celebrate birthdays and bring special entertainment to patients.

Production units were making garments for homeless and destitute victims of the war as well as military hospitals. Sewing units continued through the Korean and Vietnam wars and were especially busy during the time of the Lincoln Army Air Base. Layettes were in great demand by air force families in Lancaster County . A storage and sewing room was maintained in the chapter building. It was used daily for service to the military.

War Brides met together as a group for the first time in 1946 when Home Service department held a get together for brides from England, France, Italy, Australia and Scotland. The purpose was primarily to help the brides adjust to their new homes.

1948 was the first City-Wide Learn to Swim program utilizing all pools in the city. Red Cross courses of instruction were used.  Swim Program for the handicapped was started in 1949 at the YWCA pool with help from the County Medical Association to give rehabilitation help to those who had a handicap.

Students organized Campus Red Cross in 1948 at the University of Nebraska.

1949 Operation Snowbound helped families suffering loss from the blizzard covering a four-state area of Nebraska, Wyoming, North and South Dakotas. Hundreds of tons of hay were dropped for stranded cattle in western Nebraska.

Hospitals were overflowing with patients and iron lungs in the Polio Epidemic of 1950. Nurses were recruited statewide.

September 8, 1960, Lancaster County Chapter moved into its new home at 1701 “E” Street which provided space for offices, classes, meetings, workspace for supporting services and solved storage and parking problems.

Christmas 1961, the project Operation Santa Claus sponsored and publicized by radio station KFOR helped needy families have free Christmas gifts. All gifts were coordinated by the Red Cross Home Service or Military Service departments, stored at the Chapter and later delivered to recipients by the Marines.

1963 was the centennial celebration of Red Cross around the world.

In 1964 all volunteers were to be known as Red Cross Volunteers rather than by the name of their service. The new training program gave volunteers the chance to participate in more than one program.

“Talking Letter Program” in 1965 involved recorded voices from home to servicemen overseas. “Operation Contact” involved making personal contact with new military families to interpret Red Cross services. The Red Cross Chapter hosted “Armed Forces Family Night” for families of Lancaster County who had a family member in any branch of the military. Not only were these evening social events, but also a time for giving information and instruction regarding military life, benefits, help available in times of emergency by the military and by Red Cross field directors stationed with troops around the world.

In 1969 Christmas Ditty Bags were made for “Operation Shop Early.”

A new Volunteer Program “Friendly Visitors” was underway in 1971 to call on elderly confined to their homes.

In 1972 “Project FIND” was carried out by chapter volunteers who contacted and assisted elderly persons who had indicated their interest in the Food Stamp Program. Volunteers interpreted the program, assisted in completing applications and provided transportation to the certifying office as necessary.

In 1974 the newest program, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, was being provided. Participants were schooled in CPR Basic Life Support as well as increasing the awareness of early warning signs, risk factors and symptoms of heart attack.

The 1976 Annual Report stated the Red Cross Labor Coop was assisting with home repairs and other housing problems of the elderly and disabled people. Priority was given to health and safety hazards.

A new emphasis in 1980 went into teaching Basic Aid Training (B.A.T.) to elementary schools.

In 1986 AIDS Education became an important component of Nursing & Health Services.

In 1989 “Hotels and Motels in Partnership” was organized. This arrangement secured donated nights of lodging for those in need of emergency shelter.

1917-1972:  Seventy-five years for Lancaster County American Red Cross: “75 Strong - The Caring Goes On.”

In 1990 “Basic Sailing” was reimplemented offering a variety of small craft training to individuals of all skill levels.

Lancaster County Chapter began operating from its new home located at 220 Oakcreek Drive in 1997.

In 1999 the Lancaster County Board of Directors approved a request from Seward County volunteers to certify their chapter to provide Red Cross services. Lancaster County provided oversight and management of services in both counties. Working together, the needs of Seward County residents are met in disaster services and health and safety programs.

In 2000 the Red Cross trained people in a new technique combined with CPR to dramatically improve the survival rate for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Ordinary citizens can save the lives of heart attack victims by using automated external defibrillators, known as AEDs.

September 11, 2001 brought compassionate response from the Lincoln area.  Lancaster County Chapter deployed 13 volunteers to the East Coast to help people tragically impacted by the terrorist attacks.

August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept across hundreds of miles of land, leaving chaos, homelessness and hopelessness in her wake. Lancaster County Chapter deployed 18 volunteers to hurricane-impacted areas, and one staff member to National Red Cross headquarters to assist in the Disaster Operations Center. Two volunteers took assignments at a Regional Call Center in Omaha, and more than 186 new Red Cross volunteers received training in disaster response. Chapter volunteers and staff met daily to give basic needs assistance to evacuated families who came to the Lincoln area on their own.

In January 2007 the American Red Cross Midwest Region Blood Services, located in Omaha, began increasing their collection of blood in Lancaster and Seward counties. The Red Cross has been supplying the blood needs of the Nebraska Heart Institute/Heart Hospital in Lincoln and felt it necessary to ask residents of the two counties to help fill this need.

On July 1, 2007 the Lancaster County Chapter became part of a regional group of neighboring Red Cross chapters that are sharing responsibilities and resources to increase services. Lancaster County Chapter will be known as The American Red Cross-Cornhusker Regional Chapter. The following chapters make up our region: Box Butte Service Delivery Unit, Alliance NE; Gage County Community Chapter, Beatrice NE; Jefferson County Service Delivery Unit, Fairbury NE; North Platte Valley Community Chapter, Scottsbluff NE; Prairie Valley Community Chapter, Columbus NE; Seward/York Service Delivery Unit, Seward NE