The first Red Cross society was
formed more 100 years ago by Henri Dunant, a young Swiss businessman. While traveling
through Italy in 1859, he witnessed the pain and suffering of those caught in the Battle
of Solferino. He was so disturbed by what he saw that he asked the local townspeople to
help care for the wounded and bury the dead. Dunant was so impressed by the response of
the townspeople that he wrote a book about his experiences, and planted the seeds for what
has become the International Red Cross movement. There are now more than 150 national societies around the world. The organization that is now known as the American National Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton.
The Coffee County Chapter of the American Red Cross was chartered in 1917.
Throughout the past 80 years, the Red Cross in Coffee County has responded to the changing needs of the community with traditional services, such as disaster relief, along with services to meet contemporary needs, such as AIDS education and workplace safety programs. Today the Red Cross in Coffee County provides a variety of emergency related services, including disaster preparedness and relief, health and safety programs, blood services, and military and social services. Many Coffee County residents are helped by the Red Cross each year.
The Red Cross in Coffee County is led by a volunteer board of directors. Services are provided by over 300 volunteers with the support of one paid staff member. Red Cross volunteers respond to many disaster incidents annually, which include major disasters such as tornadoes and floods, and single family disasters such as house fires. Red Cross disaster relief includes providing emergency food, clothing, shelter and other disaster related assistance.
The American Red Cross has health and safety courses for all ages and audiences. Training in first aid, CPR, and water safety is available, as well as HIV/AIDS education programs. Courses are designed for people who have had no experience responding to medical emergencies. The Red Cross has a flexible schedule of daytime, weekend, and evening classes, and special classes can be arranged for groups or organizations.
Many Coffee County citizens participate in Red Cross health and safety program each year. The Red Cross collects many units of blood in Coffee County each year. Through the voluntary donations of concerned citizens, blood and blood products are available for sick and injured patient. Red Cross military and social services provide emergency communications, financial assistance and other support to many families each year. Through Red Cross international tracing services, individuals can send and receive messages from family members who are in areas of the world affected by civil disturbances, war, or other disasters.
The Red Cross has a congressional charter which provides the authority for the organization to carry out its work, but the Red Cross receives no government funds. The work of the Red Cross is made possible by the voluntary support of the American people through their donations of time, blood and money. In Coffee County, the Red Cross receives its financial support from program fees, grants, and contribution from individuals and organizations who believe in the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross and wish to support it's work.
The Coffee County American Red Cross Chapter is located in the Enterprise Civic Center and can be contacted by calling 347-2461 or by visiting their website at: Coffee County American Red Cross
