American Red Cross - Ottawa County
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 Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Description:
Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent 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
It 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
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one 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.
History:
1916
The Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross was formally chartered on July 7. The first chairperson for the Board of Directors was Mrs. Cornell Walbridge and the Chapter's first headquarters were located in the Spitzer Building in downtown Toledo.
1917
The Red Cross taught its first Home Nursing and First Aid classes in Toledo. During the year, 640 Toledoans were trained in Home Nursing and 285 were certified in First Aid. On June 13, the Wood County Chapter of the American Red Cross was formally chartered and on July 23 the Ottawa County Chapter was chartered.
1920
A Disaster Committee was formed in July to provide help for those affected by a tornado that hit Toledo.
1923
The Junior Red Cross was established in the Toledo Public Schools in September. The students involved made gifts for people in military hospitals and sent friendship items to foreign countries.
1926
The Red Cross High School Youth Council, a forerunner of today's youth council, was started in December.
1940
On July 14, the Toledo Chapter moved to its own building at 2005 Collingwood Boulevard.
1956
The Wood County Chapter moved into its own building on Gorrell Avenue in Bowling Green and has been providing services continuously to Wood County from this location.
1957
The Greater Toledo Blood Center, operated jointly by the Toledo Red Cross and the Toledo and Lucas County Academy of Medicine, opened in January, making it the fiftieth Red Cross regional blood center to open.
1960
The Red Cross and the and United Way of Greater Toledo became community partners.
1968
Following a voluntary decision by both boards of governors, the Wood County Chapter merged with the Greater Toledo Area Chapter.
1972
The chapter bought a building from the Jewish Community Center at 2275 Collingwood Boulevard
1981
The Greater Toledo Area Chapter assisted in the recovery after tornados and flooding in June. The Chapter provided shelter, food, water, and clothing to those who lost their homes and it also helped with the clean up efforts.
1990
The Chapter provided 975 people with shelter, food, water, and clothing after a snow storm destroyed over 300 homes in February.
2001
The Red Cross moved its headquarters to 3100 W. Central Avenue in Toledo on September 10. On September 11, the tragic terrorist attacks occurred, ushering in a time of unprecedented generosity. The Greater Toledo Area Chapter collected over $2 million and sent 12 trained disaster workers to New York City and Pennsylvania to help in relief efforts.
2002
The Red Cross introduces "Together We Prepare" to help people be ready for any type of emergency.
2004
The Chapter sends 13 volunteers south after four hurricanes hit Florida.
2005
Today the Red Cross offers disaster assistance, community disaster education, first aid and CPR training, lifeguard training, babysitter classes, youth leadership activities, volunteer opportunities, Telecare (a telephone reassurance program for older adults living alone in our community), and more.
2006
The Chapter was named one of 80 of the best-performing chapters in the United States by the national American Red Cross.
2007
The Greater Toledo Area Chapter was designated as a Regional Chapter and supports eleven Red Cross chapters which provide service to 15 counties in northwestern Ohio.
2008
The chapter sends 25 volunteers to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Texas after two tropical storms and two hurricanes hit the south.
Contact person: Beth Leggett, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (419) 734-1118
Address:
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1854 E. Perry St., Ste. 600Port Clinton, OH 43452(See a map) |
Web Site: None specified
| Last updated on April 16, 2009 |
