American Red Cross - Greater Toledo Area Chapter
American Red Cross Mission
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/Red Crescent Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Description:
Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
Employees and volunteers are expected to adhere to the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement. Brief descriptions of each are provided below:
Humanity: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (‘the Movement”), born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality: The Movement makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality: In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Independence: The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.
Voluntary service: The Movement is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
Unity: There can be only one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.
Universality: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.
Volunteer and Employee Relationships
Consistent with the strategic direction of the American Red Cross to inspire a new generation of volunteers, employees are reminded that they and the GTAC volunteers are considered partners in implementing the mission and programs of the Chapter and the American Red Cross. Employees and volunteers have equal but complementary roles to play. It is essential to the proper operation of this relationship that Chapter employees understand and respect the needs and abilities of the volunteers who donate their time and energy to the operations of the Greater Toledo Area Chapter and the American Red Cross.
History:
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881. In 1905, the United States Congress gave the Red Cross a charter that mandates it to provide relief for domestic and international disaster victims and communication services for members of the Armed Forces. Every Red Cross chapter must do these two things, although many provide a much greater variety of community services.
Facts about the Red Cross -
• The International Red Cross was founded by Henry Dunant in 1863. Its Headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton in 1881 and is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• The United States Congress has mandated that all Red Cross chapters must provide services for the military and their families and provide relief assistance during all disasters, domestic and international.
• American Red Cross Headquarters is in Washington, DC.
• There are over 800 chapters and 35 blood services regions in the United States; we also have Armed Forces Emergency Services stations and HUBs serving members of the military and their families in the US and overseas.
• All Red Cross disaster assistance is an outright gift. It is funded by voluntary contributions from the American people.
• The International Red Cross has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize four times.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international organization with societies in 176 countries. It is unique among voluntary service organizations because it was founded on a set of seven Fundamental Principles.
About the Greater Toledo Area Chapter
The Toledo Chapter of the American Red Cross was founded in 1916. The decision to merge the Ottawa County Chapter with the Toledo Chapter was made by the volunteer boards of both chapters, effective July 1, 1962. In 1968, the Wood County Chapter voted to merge with the chapter in Lucas and Ottawa counties to form the Greater Toledo Area Chapter. The Chapter continues to maintain district offices in Port Clinton and Bowling Green. Contact information for each branch appears below.
Greater Toledo Area Chapter Headquarters
3100 West Central Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43606
Telephone: 419-329-2900/888-590-0098
Ottawa County District Office Wood County District Office
127 W. Perry Street 150 Gorrell Avenue
Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
Telephone: 419-734-1100 Telephone: 419-352-4575
Contact person: Diane Dixon, CVA, Chief Volunteer Officer, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (419) 537-6701
Address:
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3100 W. Central Ave.Toledo, OH 43606(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.redcrosstoledo.org
Directions:
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Located on W. Central Avenue, between Douglas Road and Secor Road (closer to Secor Road) on the corner of W. Central and Middlesex Road
Nearest Bus Stop: in front of building |
| Last updated on November 23, 2009 |
