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The American Red Cross of Augusta is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, providing relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Chartered in 1917, the American Red Cross of Augusta provides direct service to Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes counties. In addition to disaster relief, the Red Cross of Augusta offers compassionate services in four other areas: Armed Forces Emergency Services; Health and Safety; Adult Volunteerism; and Youth Leadership Development.
While most people think of the Red Cross helping during large disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our disaster services staff and volunteers are busy everyday responding to house and apartment fires or other local disasters. For large and small disasters, the Red Cross meets the immediate needs of victims: shelter, food, bedding, clothing and sometimes essential medications and medical equipment. If needed, we have counselors who assist with the trauma that families sometimes experience. All disaster assistance is free.
For military personnel, the Red Cross acts as the emergency communication link between families and their loved ones in the military, sending urgent messages when needed. The Chapter's Health and Safety Department is the teaching arm of the Red Cross, better preparing the community for emergency situations. Your local Red Cross trains thousands of people every year to be safe and to save lives.
The youth volunteer program, the recipient of numerous national and international awards, is strong and flourishing. With 200 members, they are serving others by working in hospitals, planning service projects, and providing leadership training for younger volunteers.
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. Our programs rely on financial support and voluntary service from generous citizens in our community. We hope you will consider making a contribution to help the Augusta Red Cross provide assistance for local disasters. You can mail a contribution to the American Red Cross of Augusta, 1322 Ellis Street, Augusta, Georgia, 30901 or give through our secure online donation page.
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| On April 2, 1917, the charter of the Augusta Chapter American Red Cross was signed by President Woodrow Wilson, and the Augusta Chapter began 75 years of service and caring for the Augusta Community. Here are some notable moments in our history. |
*Raised $32,426.75 in first war drive in July 1917.
*Raised $73,617.12 in second war drive in July 1918.
*Taught First Aid and Home Care for the sick.
*Collected $906.00 for the Japanese Relief Fund and $3,530.53 for the Florida Relief Fund.
*Opened Central Sewing Workroom to make gloves, surgical dressings, masks, and hospital supplies for war effort.
*Made 300 garments for Florida Relief.
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*Began Diptheria Prevention Program and Pellagra Control Program
*Set up Highway First Aid Stations.
*Made Christmas cards and books for the State School for the Blind.
*Raised $11,000 for disaster relief.
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*Inaugurated in Augusta first Red Cross Blood Donor Enrollment Program in the nation.
*Provided First Aid tents and staff for the Augusta National Golf Tournament
*Donated numerous volunteer hours to Veterans Hospitals.
*Taught nutrition courses and started a Garden Seed Program to combat Pellagra.
*Began teaching Water Safety Courses in the summer.
*Showed Farm and Home Accident Preven-tion Motion Picture with sound to 5,339 people.
*Expanded casework services to meet needs of servicemen and their families during WW II.
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*Experienced 70% increase in requests for financial and emotional support with onset of Korean Conflict.
*Merged Red Cross Disaster Preparedness teams with Civil Defense efforts.
*Gave emergency assistance to nine families in South Nellieville fire.
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*Recorded and sent voice messages from families to servicemen overseas.
*Pioneered first program in nation for youth volunteers to give service in a hospital.
*Visited families of all servicemen killed in Viet Nam.
*Moved to new office, 811 Twelfth Street.
*Assisted 93 families during 1964-65 flooding in Richmond County.
*Taught Mother-Baby and Home Nursing Courses.
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*Formed Youth Board.
*Began using "Resusci-Anne" manikins in First Aid Classes to teach artificial respiration.
*Recruited and trained instructors for new Multi-media First Aid and CPR Courses.
*Worked with veterans returning from Viet Nam.
*Recognized Katherine Mealing for 50 years service with Water Safety Program.
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*Trained school personnel in Shelter Management and Mass Feeding.
*Set up heat shelters during heat waves.
*Initiated adapted aquatics program to teach swimming to handicapped.
*Assisted victims of 15 unit apartment fire and displaced residents of Savannah Place.
*Began dialogue with Shepeard Community Blood Center concerning blood supply for local hospitals.
*Established AIDS education thrust.
*Initiated Safety Training in the Workplace.
*Joined with MCG to sponsor Annual Health Fair.
*Designated one of 300 Key Resource Chapters in the U.S.
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*Coordinated local disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Hugo victims.
*Successfully negotiated a statement of understanding between American Red Cross Blood Services and Shepeard Community Blood Center and was aproved and signed by all parties concerned.
*Responded, with the support of 96 National Red Cross volunteers and paid disaster staff, to the needs of 920 families, served 2,871 people; provided $48,000 in mass care and $831,466 in financial assistance as the result of Tropical Storm Marco. (October, 1990 Augusta flood)
*Provided Red Cross services to local National Guard and Reserve families whose family members were activated during Operation Desert Storm.
*Recognized Betty Coleman, R.N., for 50 years of service to Red Cross.
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