Scenic Bluffs Chapter
The La Crosse County Chapter of the American Red Cross began when President William Howard Taft visited the city in December 1915. Initial plans were discussed at a DAR [Daughters of the American Revolution] meeting, at which President Taft outlined a strategy for development. A formal organizational meeting was held in the Common Council chambers at City Hall on June 21, 1916, at such time Taft's college pal, George W. Burton, was elected chairman of the local chapter. Other officers were also elected, and by-laws adopted. The following June 29, the chapter was granted its charter by the central committee of the American National Red Cross.
World War I spurred on much activity for local Red Cross volunteers. Funds for the war fund were raised, and Red Cross branches were established in La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Juneau counties. The Canteen committee, the Red Cross shop, and the monthly subscriptions to support it were part of these activities.
By Oct. 21, 1917, the chapter had organized 44 branches in Western Wisconsin, and raised $19,320.77 for war purposes. In March 1918, the La Crosse Chapter limited its activities to the city and county of La Crosse. By this time the local chapter had over 12,400 members and a thriving Junior Red Cross membership of 6757. A full-time secretary was added with a $75 a month salary, and a clerk was added to help with office work.
Membership declined significantly after the close of World War I. In the 1920s a children's dental clinic was organized with funds from the Junior Red Cross. This effort and processing veterans' claims comprised most of the chapter's duties. In 1932, the local chapter participated in the national Red Cross commitment to distribute cotton goods and flour to families in need. Approximately 10,000 persons received services. City fire fighters distributed the flour, totaling 4120 barrels.
Other programs of the chapter at this time included first aid, disaster preparedness and relief, home hygiene, water safety, nurse recruitment, nurse aides, canteen, staff aides and Gray Ladies. Home service was the name given to the program now call service to military families. Production was the name given to homemade items such as knitted hats and mittens for families in foreign countries, families in need, or military personnel.
In 1940, the chapter was given a quota by the national office to fold 17,000 surgical dressings. Two La Crosse volunteers went to Milwaukee to be trained in how to do the work. The average worker could make about 60 of the 4"x 4" dressings in a full day. After the United States became directly involved in World War II, many more volunteers aided the local chapter in its work. By the end of Dec. 1942, 450 women were enrolled at various centers across the county providing surgical dressings. Now the chapter was not only folding and packaging the dressings, but cutting the fabric as well. Sewing and knitting comprised many volunteer hours. The Red Cross= peace time activities of water safety, etc., continued during this time.
Gray Ladies provided friendly and helpful services for the sick and convalescent at the Camp [now Fort] McCoy hospital, and later at the veteran's hospital in Tomah. They also worked at the local blood donor center as hostesses and guides. In 1944, a 10 day blood drive was conducted in La Crosse. A mobile unit from St. Paul provided the county with a doctor and two specially trained nurses. It was estimated that 250 people were needed each day of the drive. By late 1944, the mobile unit came to La Crosse with a trained staff of 13. These blood drives during World War II were held in rooms provided by the Vocational School [now called Western Wisconsin Technical College]. Mrs. Owen Jackson spearheaded the blood donor program during this time. The blood program was formally added to the local Red Cross chapter services in 1950, and the bloodmobile came from Madison thereafter.
After the close of World War II, the Red Cross was involved with the rapid number of veterans returning home from overseas. The Red Cross provided communication between local families and enlisted military personnel, sending telegrams and relaying emergency news. The Red Cross also helped to file requests for benefits on behalf of discharged veterans, and dealt with transient veterans. Gift box preparation for children in devastated countries also became a priority. At the close of 1946, Mrs. Eva (Herman) Wolf resigned as chairman of the board of the local chapter of the American Red Cross after 18 years. The membership had grown to 17,000 in the county.
Until the Community Chest [later known as the United Fund and now called the United Way] organized one annual fund drive for many of the charitable and social service organizations, the local Red Cross conducted an annual fund drive called the Roll Call. This was held usually in November, and consisted of a door-to-door campaign.
In the late 1950s blood donations had dropped off significantly and so had membership. While the local chapter celebrated 50 years of service in 1956, a special fund drive was launched to make up for a shortage of money. The blood program was "near collapse" as one newspaper headline read. But by 1961, the scene had changed and the local chapter moved to new quarters at 1024 Main St. For the first time, all services were consolidated into the rented quarters.
The 1965 flood disaster involved not only those associated with the Red Cross in La Crosse, but all over the country. The local chapter was heavily involved with not only emergency help but then later to the rehabilitation needs of the community. Area flood relief efforts in 1992 also drew attention. The Red Cross also responds to fire and tornado damage, and natural disasters of any kind. Disaster preparedness is also a way in which the local chapter gets involved with area kids.
The local chapter has also been active in community programs and the blood program, as well as first aid, CPR, infant car seat program, swimming and life saving instruction, and the like, for most of its existence. Aiding relief and disaster causes in other states and countries has also been a major focus, as well as services to military families.
Plans were underway for a new facility in 1980, and in March 1981 a new building at 2927 Losey Blvd. South was opened and became the headquarters for the Scenic Bluffs chapter. In May of 1997, Elizabeth Dole, national American Red Cross president, paid a visit to the Scenic Bluffs Chapter to give members a pep talk and to honor them for creating awareness of an international humanitarian effort to ban land mines.
Junior Red Cross
The Junior Red Cross has been active nearly as long as its parent chapter. The program was offered in the parochial and public schools. Besides fund raising efforts, some of the activities the children undertook was annual Christmas boxes to children in foreign countries, foreign pen pals, and food service tray favors to hospitals on holidays. Life saving certificates and home accident prevention checklists were also important activities in which the children participated.
| 1916 |
Mrs. L.F. Easton
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| 1916-1918 |
George W. Burton
|
| 1918-1919 |
L.C. Colman
|
| 1919-1921 |
Andrew Lees
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| 1921-1928 |
(unknown)
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| 1929-1946 |
Mrs. Eva Wolf
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| 1947-1956 |
Mrs. Rudolph B. Horschak
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| 1957-1963 |
Mrs. Eleanore Wollschlaeger
|
| 1964-1966 |
Jerry Morrison
|
| 1967 |
James McCord (interim)
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| 1967-1972 |
Mrs. Howard Dahl
|
| 1973-1975 |
Mrs. Harriet Yeske
|
| 1976 |
Jerry Morrison
|
| 1976-1978 |
Mrs. Mary Hebberd
|
| 1979-1981 |
H. King Holley
|
| 1982 |
Steve Tanke
|
| 1983-1984 |
Paul Schilling
|
| 1985-1986 |
Tom Zurbriggen
|
| 1987 |
Bill Beranek
|
| 1989-1990 |
David Onsrud
|
| 1991-1992 |
Douglas Mormann
|
| 1993-1994 |
Brad Dinsmoor
|
| 1995-1996 |
Margaret Neader
|
| 1997 |
Roger LeGrand
|
| 1929-1954 |
Mrs. Emma L. Seide
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| 1955-1959 |
Mrs. Ethel Thomas
|
| 1959-1973 |
Mrs. Celeste Mack
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| 1973-1976 |
Mrs. Jean Arneson
|
| 1977-1980 |
Neava Sanders
|
| 1981 |
Sara Brotton
|
| 1982-1987 |
Nancy Lovold
|
| 1988-1992 |
Raymond Gardner
|
| 1993-1995 |
Phillip Hansen
|
| 1996-1997 |
Pam Hale Bradley
|
| 1997-2000 |
Neil Duresky
|
| 2000-2002 |
Cathy Hopkins
|
| 2002-2009 |
Cheryl Hancock
|
| 1916-1933 |
Home of secretary/executive secretary
|
| 1934-1941 |
Post Office or Federal Building
|
| 1942-1957 |
406 Hoeschler Building, 115 5th Ave. South
|
| 1958-1961 |
427 Cass Street
|
| 1961-1981 |
1024 Main Street
|
| 1981-2009 |
2927 Losey Boulevard South
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