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90 YEARS OF SERVICE MANATEE COUNTY CHAPTER 1917 – Women’s Club makes bandages and pillows for Red Cross use in WWI, providing the impetus for forming a branch of the American Red Cross in Manatee County. Manatee River American Red Cross was chartered Nov 3, 1917 and consisted of 7 branches throughout the county (due to scattered population and transportation limitations) 1918 – Manatee River Chapter led the nation in percentage increase of membership, from 826 to 2622 members. 1919 – first employee hired as Home Secretary to assist returning soldiers, sailors and their families. 1921 – Major hurricane struck Cortez on Oct 25, 1921 1922 – First visiting nurse, Lena Reynolds, hired by the Chapter. The Treasurer’s report indicated income of $1,857 and expenses of $1, 511, including $312 toward the Cortez hurricane and $640 for the nurse’s salary. (At that time a gallon of gas cost a quarter) 1928 – Hurricane relief fund collections began due to a devastating hurricane that caused Lake Okeechobee to overflow, killing 2,000. 1934 – Manatee Red Cross Lifesaving Corps reported saving 41 lives at the beach this year. However, the chapter’s efforts to obtain property on the beach for a lifesaving station were dropped due to “the asking price of land being too high”. 1936 – National Red Cross responds to the alarming highway fatalities and injuries by beginning Highway Emergency First Aid Stations. Manatee Chapter operated two of these stations. 1940 – Manatee County Chapter collected funds for the Finnish, Belgium and Luxombourg WWII refugees. 1942 – With the entry of the U.S. into WWII, the Red Cross increased its war relief drives, clothing projects, bandage packing and service to military families. 1944 – During an October hurricane, Manatee Red Cross sheltered 850 people. 1947 – A major hurricane in September required the opening of 15 shelters to accommodate 2,000 people in Manatee County. 1951 – Manatee Red Cross surpassed their fund-raising goal of $14,500. 1953 – The chapter’s Grey Ladies gave 1,778 hours of service at Bay Pines Veterans hospital. 1956 – The chapter’s Grey Ladies launched a new Service Program for Schools, in which they began health clinics in the county schools. This program was adopted by other chapters throughout the nation. 1959 – The chapter sponsored a Junior Red Cross club in every Manatee County school. Chapter headquarters moved to 2614 Manatee Ave W. 1962 – Hurricane Donna strikes. The chapter opened 6 shelters housing over 5,000 people. 1962 – Floods caused by over 14” of rain did a million dollars of damage in Manatee County. National Red Cross opened a service center in chapter headquarters. 1966 – The chapter opened 6 shelters for Hurricane Alma 1967 – A spectacular fire in downtown Palmetto destroyed a number of businesses and apartment buildings. 1968 – The Chapter opens shelters for Hurricane Gladys in October and assisted victims of a tornado in November 1976 - The chapter builds a new headquarters building on 59th St W. 1983 - The chapter adds an additional 400 square feet onto the headquarters building at 59th St. 1985 – During Hurricane Elena the chapter sheltered over 10,000 people. 1988 - HIV/AIDS prevention education launched. 1993 - Manatee chapter receives a new emergency response vehicle. 2004 - The chapter survives the back-to-back hurricanes: Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jean. 2006 - The chapter's mid-county facility opens at Lakewood Ranch. 2007 - The chapter started using Client Assistance Cards to streamline help for disaster victims.
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