The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention. Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war, and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.
In October 1863, The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was created in Geneva, Switzerland, to provide nonpartisan care to the wounded and sick in times of war. The Red Cross emblem was adopted at this first International Conference as a symbol of neutrality and was to be used by national relief societies. In August 1864, the representatives of 12 governments signed the Geneva Convention Treaty. The extraordinary efforts of Henry Dunant led to the eventual establishment of the International Red Cross. Today, the Red Cross Movement incorporates the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International Federation), as well as National Societies in 175 countries, including the American Red Cross of the United States.
Clara Barton (1821-1912) dominates the early history of the American Red Cross, which was modeled after the International Red Cross. She did not originate the Red Cross idea, but she was the first person to establish a lasting Red Cross Society in America. She successfully organized the American Association of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. Created to serve America in peace and in war, during times of disaster and national calamity, Barton's organization took its service beyond that of the International Red Cross Movement by adding disaster relief to battlefield assistance. She served as the organization's volunteer president until 1904.
Many Red Cross chapters were founded across the country in World War I. The Rapides Chapter Red Cross was organized February 26,1917. Mayor W. Whittington of Alexandria was chairman and D.F. Clark served as Vice-Chairman. The Rapides Chapter was formed with 17 auxiliaries and branches: Boyce, Echo, Mcnary, Zimmerman, Forest Hill, Cheneyville, Lecompte, Lamourie, Woodworth, Glenmora, Longleaf, Pineville, Providence, Academy, St Francis Academy, Miltonberg and Antonio. All of these did splendid work; and as a result, the Rapides Chapter was put on the Honor Roll.
Mrs. Ed Adrion acted as the first volunteer Executive Secretary and held that position until a paid officer was engaged in 1928. During its first two years in service, the Rapides Chapter Red Cross shipped 44 cases of supplies to the Gulf Division during World War I. These cases consisted of pillows, sheets, clothing, toiletries, and other necessary items.
In any sudden call to work, the Chapter responded nobly. The Queen of England even commended them for their quick response to the Belgian Relief Drive in 1918. In fact, the Rapides Chapter Red Cross did such a splendid job that they received commendations from General Pershing and President Wilson for their outstanding work.
To speak of the Rapides Chapter Red Cross, in the beginning, you must speak of the epidemics of that time. In the fall of 1917, there was an epidemic outbreak of measles and pneumonia. With the base hospital not yet complete, there were only 14 beds to accommodate 500 cases of flu; with no wash basins, towels, sheets or bedclothes for the patients. When the cry for help came to the Rapides Chapter Red Cross, it did not go unheeded. Not only were the patients supplied with the necessities; but also, they received things like books, flowers, and magazines. Early in 1918 there was a meningitis epidemic; but the need was not so great, as the hospital was equipped at the time. However, the Rapides Chapter Red Cross was ready.
In 1919, the third, and most fatal, outbreak was the influenza epidemic. It started with the military personnel; and when that crisis was coming to an end, the disease hit Alexandria. Again, the Rapides Chapter Red Cross was there with the manpower and supplies to help its people recover.
In 1923, a cyclone hit Pineville, and the Rapides Chapter Red Cross opened soup kitchens and canteens. In 1927, the Rapides Chapter Red Cross Disaster Program became active again during a flood in the area. President Herbert Hoover visited the area and assisted in the disaster efforts.
In February of 1943, realizing the need for larger quarters because the Chapter was housed in the old Rapides Parish Courthouse; the Hardtner family donated their home at 1808 Jackson Street in memory of their parents.
Elizabeth H. Foote, who had served as a local volunteer in many positions, was elected to the National Red Cross Board of Governors in 1965 to serve a three-year term. Mrs. Foote is the only volunteer from this chapter to have served on the Board of Governors.
Until 1974, the Rapides Chapter continued its universal mission of meeting emergency needs of Rapides Parish at the site donated to them by the Hardtners. Then, under the direction of Mrs. George H. Pitts, the Rapides Chapter Red Cross launched a public campaign and solicited funds to build offices at 1808 Jackson Street. Since that time the chapter has expanded services to meet single-family emergencies as well as those affecting multiple families and entire communities.
Within the last 10 years, the Rapides Chapter of the American Red Cross has become the Central Louisiana Chapter taking on the responsibilities of a nine-parish area that includes Allen Parish (the northern half), Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon and Winn. The Central Louisiana Chapter serves military personnel at Fort Polk, Camp Beauregard, and the Colfax Coast Guard unit as well as military personnel and their families living within the chapter's nine-parish jurisdiction. The expanded area encompasses most of the state's designated Sector A sheltering area; the Central Louisiana Chapter now focuses heavily on sheltering during hurricanes which affect the Louisiana coast.
In 2004, the Central Louisiana Chapter joined chapters across the nation in meeting the challenge of joining forces with the Department of Homeland Security to raise preparedness levels of our communities, businesses, and families through the Together We Prepare program.
In 2005, the Central Louisiana Chapter responded the greatest natural disaster ever faced in the United States, Hurricane Katrina, closely followed by Hurricane Rita, by providing over 187,000 overnight stays, 1.1 million meals, and tens of thousands of financial assistance applications. More than 2,600 families living in Central Louisiana alone received $2.5 million in assistance from Red Cross.
Each year, the Central Louisiana Red Cross responds to approximately 150 home fires, 40 families after tornadoes or other storms, and 500 military families who come to Red Cross for help.
