The American Red Cross had its origins in the United States Sanitary Commission, organized to carry out relief programs for soldiers during the Civil War. The first and second Geneva Conventions in 1863 and 1864 led directly to the formation of the International Red Cross. The founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, established the group's focus on disaster relief, as well as war service during the Spanish-American War. A congressional charter was granted in 1905. Under the leadership of Mabel Boardman, the Red Cross organized its programs to use trained volunteers and modern social work methods. During World War I, the Red Cross became a national organization with chapters formed in many locations. Volunteers produced millions of surgical dressings, bandages, garments, and supplies for hospitals, soldiers, and civilian refugees overseas. In 1917, the American Junior Red Cross was founded. During World War II, Red Cross workers served throughout the world, organizing and conducting the first blood drives, and packing food and medical parcels for prisoners of war.
Today, Red Cross disaster programs encompass three phases: community preparedness, post-disaster emergency relief, and long-term rehabilitation assistance. These include efforts to collect blood and coordinate civilian blood banks; home nursing services; and first aid, life saving, and water safety instruction. The organization also continues to provide medical, recreational, and welfare services to the armed forces and military hospitals.
At a meeting March 2, 1917, the first Red Cross group in Dunn County was formed as the Menomonie Chapter, with 47 charter members. An additional 153 members were soon added. In July 1917, the name of the organization was changed to Dunn County Chapter, to reflect its larger membership area. Among the Chapter's first projects were disaster relief assistance to the people of Mattoon and Charleston, Illinois, and conducting membership and “War Fund” drives. By January 1918, the chapter had 4,952 members who contributed to the war and disaster relief funds and nursed patients during the influenza epidemic of 1918. During World War I, 35 "branches" of the Dunn County chapter were formed to carry out war relief work. Rachel Dietrichson became the first Dunn County nurse on October 11, 1920; she was employed to examine school children and monitor their care. Throughout the years, disaster relief has included aid for victims of tornadoes in 1921, 1930, and 1958; and for flood victims in 1934 and 1938. During World War II, fundraising, refugee aid, surgical dressing preparation, and other war relief work was conducted. In 1949, the first civilian Red Cross blood program was begun, and is now conducted through the St. Paul (Minnesota) Regional Center. Other programs include services to military families, nursing programs, safety instruction, and youth programs. In 1955, Marion Ingalls resigned after serving as the Chapter's executive secretary since 1918; she was succeeded by Margaret Kent.
