Red Cross volunteers would be attending a two day regional conference at the Portland Multnomah County Chapter House. Ten chapters from Washington and Oregon would come together and meet. The conference would include lectures and panel discussions, the focus of the conference was getting the best possible services for each chapter. View of appointed delegates from the Pierce County Chapter office (T. Times, 10/21/47, p. 5).

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

In 1947, the Junior Red Cross in Pierce County had more than 31,000 members. They not only regularly helped raise money for the existing programs, they also held special events to get community members, especially school age children and teens, involved in their activities. Here a group of Junior Red Cross members is wrapping Christmas gifts. Christmas decorations line the shelves behind them. The gifts will be shared with both local families and families in other parts of the world.

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

Junior Red Cross had been collecting holiday donations which would be delivered to many families and individuals in need. The Junior Red Cross was helping the world take a closer step toward peace and happiness during the holiday season. View of dedicated Junior Red Cross members wrapping Christmas gifts, making Christmas decorations, and packaging holiday goodies.

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

Junior Red Cross volunteers were busy working on making bedside gardens to distribute to elderly shut ins for Easter. Left to right: Edna Mae Strobel, Maxine McKenney, Judy Tucker, Pat Kelly, Jon Willingham and Billy Marshall (kneeling). The children are working with Irma Hagen and Edith Ackerman in the Junior Red Cross community service program (T. Times, 3/20/47, p. 24).

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gardening--Tacoma; Children--Arts & crafts; Children drawing & painting--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

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 had just started their annual fund raising campaign in Pierce County. Red Cross volunteers and community members were getting ready to begin asking for donations from individuals, families and businesses. Members from the Tacoma Boy's Clubs are loading up Red Cross fund raising campaign posters and information into someone's car. "Give Now '47" and "The Red Cross Carries On" are printed on the posters.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posters; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma);

Red Cross Production volunteers made hospital garments and children's clothing for disaster and overseas needs. Specialized knitting and sewing was done in the chapter offices by special volunteer services. View of volunteers sewing, sorting and packaging clothing. The elderly lady in foreground is sewing garments using a sewing machine.

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

Red Cross Safety Services offered first aid and accident prevention training. Military personnel, Ski Patrol, Labor Unions, Police, Firemen, ambulance crews, Emergency Mobile Units, industrial plants and school and college staff were all people who went through this training program. View of students with Red Cross instructor learning first aid techniques, person on floor is playing the victim role.

Emergency medical services--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

View of Pierce County Red Cross Chapter's Incorporation documents, signed on June 20, 1898. This document indicates that the State of Washington and Pierce County are recognizing the Red Cross as an official charitable organization in Tacoma and Pierce County. A temporary Secretary has been appointed until the organization elects a new leader. The document has been officially notarized (See also C33888-1, C33888-2, C33888-4 and C33888-5).

Documents; Recording & registration--Tacoma; Archives--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Red Cross volunteers, including the Gray Ladies, Junior Red Cross and the Community Service groups to camps and hospitals were joining together to plan fun holiday activities for hospital patients. Red Cross volunteers of all ages would be visiting hospitals and bringing Christmas cheer to the patients. View of volunteers with Christmas greens, which will be used to decorate the hospitals and gifts for the patients. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 12/24/47, p. 11).

Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Christmas presents; 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. 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;

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;

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);

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. 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);

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);

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);

Motor Corps Drivers at American Red Cross, Mrs. Thomson. A group of nine women and three men who are volunteer drivers for the American Red Cross.

Group portraits; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Automobile driving--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Volunteer Red Cross leaders from the Pierce County Chapter would be attending a regional conference in Portland, Oregon. The conference was organized by the Pacific Regional Chapter staff, located in San Francisco, California. The goal was to get the Oregon and Washington chapters to meet and collaborate in order to determine how to better serve their local communities. View of appointed delegates from the Pierce County Chapter office. The woman in veil is also shown in #D18,085-4. (T. Times, 10/21/47, p. 5)

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

American Red Cross had many different types of community service programs. The Motor Service department in many ways helped make all the other programs possible or more efficient. Motor Service drivers covered more than 25,720 miles per year, making sure the Gray Ladies were available in all the locations they were needed and transporting patients. Exterior view of Red Cross taken on October 14, 1947, with three Motor Corps vehicles parked in front of facilities.

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

View of Pierce County Red Cross Chapter's Incorporation documents, signed on June 20, 1898. This document identified the "Red Cross Society of Tacoma" as an officially incorporated organization, which would provide disaster relief as needed. Washington State's Secretary of State, Will D. Jenkins officially signed the document on June 28, 1898. (See also C33888-1, C33888-2, C33888-3 and C33888-4).

Documents; Recording & registration--Tacoma; Archives--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma; 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 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 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;

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);

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;