Mayor Gordon N. Johnston (far left) presented Robert P. Mallon (far right) with a giant Western Union telegram thanking him for his dedicated community service on behalf of the "People of Tacoma." Director Howard Boyle looks on. Mr. Mallon was the campaign chairman for the United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County. He and other business executives, including UGN president David J. Williams, volunteered their time to assist in collecting donations for the UGN, a predecessor of United Way. Mr. Mallon was the vice-president/general manager of Mallon Motors while Mr. Williams was the vice-president of the Tacoma branch of Seattle-First National Bank. They joined 73 executives loaned to the campaign by industry and government who worked along with some 3000 volunteers. Each year goals were set and vigorous campaigns run to drum up funds for the United Good Neighbors who would, in turn, distribute the money to various agencies to help the needy. Weekly luncheons were held where groups would be honored for their contributions and the local newspapers would do their part by listing, generally on the front page, the progress in reaching the set goal. By November 12th, the closing date of the two-month campaign, there was $1,351,604 donated, 70% of the 1971 goal. Officials were hopeful that more money would come in after the due date as in the past year. Photograph ordered by United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County. (TNT 11-12-71, p. 1- article; TNT 11-13-71, p. 9 - article)

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Mallon, Robert P.; Boyle, Howard; Telegrams;

Three men scrutinize planning for the United Way, formerly known as the United Good Neighbors Fund, on April 12, 1972 at United Way headquarters, 702 Broadway. Pointing to the blackboard is Joseph P. Lassoie, president of United Way. Looking on is United Way director Howard Boyle (r). The campaign for funds for the Pierce County organization would once again be headed by Robert P. Mallon who had been chairman in 1971. Photograph ordered by United Way.

United Way (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising--Tacoma--1970-1980; Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Lassoie, Joseph P.; Boyle, Howard;

Red Cross had various Christmas activities planned for the 1948 Holiday Season. View of Annabel Wall Meyers, holding an African American doll, she is handing out Christmas presents to servicemen's children. The Christmas tree in background was just decorated by the servicemen's children and Junior Red Cross volunteers. The first Christmas gift celebration was held at the Pierce County Red Cross Chapter house (T.N.T., 12/23/48, p. 2). TPL-8106

Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas--Tacoma; Toys; Christmas presents; Christmas trees--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Two older women are seated while knitting sweaters. They are surrounded by baskets and shelves full of skeins of dark colored yarn. An enlisted man after being wounded wrote in a letter home, "Only God and the Red Cross can help me now".

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aged persons--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Knitting; Yarn;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Miss Charlotte Alspaugh is seated at a table next to a display of articles made by students for the Fort Lewis hospital. Posters and other framed materials are hung on the walls. The newly remodeled Red Cross building will reopen March 1, 1944. (T.Times, 2/28/1944, p. 7), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Alspaugh, Charlotte; Handicraft;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Women are seated at tables having a coffee break. Many of them wear white cloth head coverings and white uniforms. The Red Cross Building Committee has arranged for the Red Cross building to be completely remodeled. The building will be reopened March 1, 1944. (T.Times, 2/28/1944, p.7)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Eating & drinking; Employee eating facilities;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. By February of 1944 there were over four million Red Cross volunteers throughout the United States. Although many worked as typists, clerks, and ambulance drivers, there were also volunteers that supported the war with needle and thread. These Tacoma women, seated at tables fitted with sewing machines, standing at an ironing board and seated with hand sewing, are sewing garments for hospitals and refugees. Several finished garments are hanging at the back of the room. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Sewing--Tacoma; Sewing machines;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Women are standing at large tables working in the production room with fabric and clothing. Bolts of fabric lay on shelves at the back of the large work room and wrapped bundles are ready on the table at the front. Over four million Red Cross workers make surgical dressings, sew garments for hospitals and refugees, knit sweaters, drive ambulances, etc., to help during war time. (T.Times 2/29/1944, p.1), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Three women and two men sit around a table reviewing plans for the fund raising campaign that will begin March 1, 1944. March was proclaimed as Red Cross War Fund Month by the President of the United States. 90% of all money raised will go directly into services for the armed forces. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Fourteen women, seated and standing, hold envelopes, ready to begin the Red Cross 1944 fund-raising campaign. They hold packages of stickers and pins. Back row, L-R, Grace M. Davies, four unnamed women, Lula M. Shank, unnamed, Nettie E. Paulsen. Front row, L-R, Hazel D. Slater, unnamed, Lunella McMaster, unnamed, Frances M. Goodman, and unnamed. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Registered nurses donate their time as instructors in home nursing. Red Cross classes are provided to train over three million people in home nursing to ease the doctor and nurse shortage due to the war. (T.Times, 2/16/1944, p.6), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1).

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Health education; Nursing; Medical equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Seven women are knitting and two other women are working at a typewriter and desk. A roll of paper is on a stand at the end of one of the tables ready to assist in wrapping packages. Money alone would never complete the tremendous task the Red Cross has in helping people in need. Over four million Red Cross workers sew garments for hospitals and refugees and knit sweaters. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Knitting; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross activities, Mrs. Strong. Many women wearing red cross uniforms are seated at tables with small pieces of fabric and templates folding bandages. This is the surgical dressing room. Two other women are seen through a doorway working with ledgers. Red Cross workers make surgical dressings, drive ambulances, work as typists, clerks, and visit the sick in their efforts to help people in need. (T.Times, 2/29/1944, p.1), (TNT, 2/27/1944, p.1)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Medical equipment & supplies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross Board Members. The American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter assisted the nation with the War Fund Drive by setting their quota at twice the amount as last years, in order to help support the war effort. View of American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter Board Members.

War bonds & funds; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Exterior of Red Cross Building. The American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter building has just been remodeled and redecorated and is now ready for its formal dedication. An "open house" will immediately follow the ceremony, which will be open to the public. The renovations have made it one of the most modern chapters in the West (T. Times, 5/8/44, p. 9).

Building dedications--Tacoma; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Women solicitors at headquarters. First group to reach War Fund Drive Goals. The Building section of the women's division of Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross is the first solicitors group to go over the top of their current War Fund quota. Mrs. Hazel D. MacPherson was the chairman of the group. (names appear in T.Times, 3/13/44, p. 2).

War bonds & funds; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Home Service Department of Red Cross. The Red Cross War Fund Drive opened the first week of March 1944 with a goal double the amount from last year. $398500 is the quota Pierce County intends to meet. All donations are intended to help support the war efforts. View of Red Cross Ward Fund Drive committee meeting with quota and other War Fund Drive information on blackboard.

War bonds & funds; Patriotic Societies--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Red Cross pictures. In August 1944 Red Cross celebrated its 80th anniversary. The first recorded notice of Red Cross activities in Tacoma date back to October 1898. In July 1916 Tacoma became an official chapter and in 1931 it was renamed the Pierce County Chapter. View of Red Cross volunteers by Red Cross vehicle, outside of new building.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

On December 14, 1944, Red Cross volunteers could barely be seen behind the mountain of wrapped Christmas gifts destined for military patients at the Madigan General and McChord Field Station Hospitals. The Pierce and Thurston County chapters of the Red Cross coordinated the gift program. Surveys were conducted to find out what the servicemen wanted most for Christmas and among presents included in the gift packages were packs of cigarettes and books. Hundreds of local clubs and organizations responded with donations and help including the Mary Ball chapter of the D.A.R., the Junior Red Cross, the Council of Jewish Women and the Franklin PTA. (TNT 12-24-44, p. 1-various photographs & article)

Christmas presents; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

From left to right, Mrs. Frank Thornburg, Mrs. James E. Stockton, Mrs. Arthur Goldsborough, Mrs. Charles Mojean, and Mrs. Charles Bowers of the Pierce County Red Cross production department worked at wrapping some of the over 4,000 Christmas packages that were given to soldier patients and military personnel at Madigan General Hospital and the McChord Field Station Hospital in December, 1944. The gift program was coordinated through the Pierce and Thurston County chapters of the Red Cross. Over 44,000 items were donated by various clubs and organizations throughout the two county region. The hospital's commanding officers conducted a survey to determine what the men wanted most. Along with others presents, each package contained a book and a pack of cigarettes. (TNT 12/24/1944 p.1-alt. photograph) TPL-10381

Christmas presents; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Packaging; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Red Cross home nursing class. Red Cross offerred a home nursing class teaching women simple sickroom techniques.Participants received 24 hours of home nursing training. Left to right view of Jeannette Downey Holt, RN and Beatrice Cooper, RN showing how to bathe an infant patient (T. Times, 7/29/44, p. 3).

Nursing--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Bathing--Tacoma; Posters; Cooper, Beatrice; Holt, Jeannette Downey;

Two workers from Red Cross. The American Red Cross functioned primarily with women volunteers. Red Cross provides the community with food, shelter, clothing, medical care and training to protect the home front. View of unidentifed volunteer at American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter in August of 1944. This woman is also shown in #D30,050-2.

World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

When we think of the Red Cross, we most often think of first aid and disaster assistance. During both World Wars, coffee and doughnuts were traditional items served by the Red Cross as part of their morale-building services, especially to troops overseas. In this picture from August, 1944 a smiling Red Cross volunteer, Pearl L. Sohlberg (Mrs. Joseph "Jack" E. Sohlberg) is serving coffee and doughnuts. In 1944 the headquarters for the Tacoma Pierce County Chapter of the Red Cross was at 702 Broadway. (T.Times 9/26/1944 p.6)

World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Doughnuts;

The daffodil jars were collected by Junior Red Cross members. The daffodil program was organized by the camp and hospital services of the Red Cross. The Easter morning deliveries are expected to bring cheer and sunshine into wards, recreation halls, mess halls and chapels of military hospitals in Pierce County. View of two Red Cross Volunteers arranging daffodils (TNT, 3/25/45, p. 1).

Daffodils--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flower pots; American Red cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Two Red Cross volunteers are transporting materials using their "Woody" truck. One woman holds several baskets and the other is wheeling a large beverage container on a dolly.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross was offering a master training class for instructors in the home nursing course. Instructors were continuously offering the Home Nursing classes to anyone interested in learning to care for sick people at home. Red Cross also had their yearly fund drive going on during this time. View of home nursing class students with instructor showing them how to fold up a newspaper for some medical purpose. Home Nursing Class poster in background.

Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Red Cross was offering a master training class for instructors in the home nursing course. Instructors were continuously offering the Home Nursing classes to anyone interested in learning to care for sick people at home. Red Cross also had their yearly fund drive going on during this time. View of home nursing class student acting as a patient for segment in class, other home nursing students and instructor are gathered around her.

Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sick persons--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

American Red Cross women are at work in the sewing room of the Red Cross building. One woman is crocheting at the very front. One woman in the back is ironing. The tables are built to run several sewing machines at each table.

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Sewing--Tacoma; Sewing machines; Crocheting;

Red Cross. Hundreds of Christmas gifts have been wrapped and are placed on tables. Three Red Cross workers are busily wrapping more gifts at the table in the upper center. TPL-1964.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Gifts; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Red Cross. Well over 1,000 Christmas gifts have been wrapped and are placed on tables. Thirteen Red Cross workers and volunteers pose in the upper center.

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Gifts; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;