Our History

• In World War I, members from Kansas City’s Medical Unit 24 were first into France to aid the military.
  
  
• In 1943, the Red Cross Disaster Service was formally organized.
  
  
• In July 1951, Red Cross volunteers evacuated more than 700 people from the rising waters in a single day, and provided food and shelter for nearly 18,000 people who were driven from their homes. Expenses exceeded $18 million, one of the largest expenditures in history.
  
  
• A devastating tornado struck the Ruskin Heights area in May 1957, killing 35 people and injuring more than 200 others. The Red Cross provided emergency aid to 13,000 people immediately after the disaster.
  
  
• During the 1977 Plaza Flood, Red Cross volunteers and staff provided for disaster-stricken families at a cost of $445,000.
  
  
• On July 17, 1981, the collapse of the Hyatt Regency Hotel skywalks tested the resolve and resources of the Red Cross. Volunteers served thousands of hours at the disaster scene, at the morgue and at the police station to aid victims and their families.
  
  
• During the April 1990 Blue River Flood, more than 200 volunteers responded.
  
  
• In the summer of 1993, more than 600 volunteers responded to large-scale flooding in western Missouri and eastern Kansas assisting 5,500 families during the Great Flood of ’93 at a cost of more than $6 million.
  
  
• In 1996, disaster workers assist a record breaking 927 families (2,490 people) with their emergency needs of food, clothing and shelter following disasters. This marks the third straight year the Red Cross saw an increase in the number of local families relying on disaster assistance. Red Cross disaster assistance was provided to 799 families in 1995 and 730 families in 1994. Consequently, helping more families requires more resources. More than $403,800 was spent directly on disaster assistance — more than $65,800 over the disaster assistance budget.
  
  
• In the summer of 1997, the Red Cross launches a new Blood Services program. This venture recruits volunteer blood donors, tests the donated blood and distributes a variety of blood products to hospitals on a routine and emergency basis around the clock.
  
  
• In the fall of 1998, after an afternoon of heavy rain on October 4, widespread flash floods take the lives of 11 Kansas Citians and disrupted the lives of hundreds more. The Red Cross provided disaster assistance to nearly 900 families at a cost of more than $500,000. Nearly 400 trained Red Cross disaster workers responded.
  
  
• In the aftermath of September 11th, the Greater Kansas City Chapter responded by sending 28 volunteers to multiple response areas. The community raised $10 million dollars, making Kansas City the 5th most generous city in the nation.
  
  
• During the ice storm of 2002, the Red Cross responded by providing assistance in the form of food, clothing and shelter. The assistance exceeded $125,000, one third of the total expenditures for the year.
  
  
• In the fall of 2003, the Greater Kansas City Chapter received a new disaster response vehicle to add to its current fleet. The ‘high tech’ ECRV (Emergency Communication Response Vehicle) is now the most sophisticated vehicle of its kind. The ECRV possesses the ability to connect up to 10 laptop computers, 14 different radios and several IP telephones (similar to cell phones) all through a wireless satellite system. In addition, the 8,000 watt generator enables the vehicle to arrive at any scene and set up lights and establish an immediate communication link-up. The vehicle also has a 52-foot telescoping mast with a camera attached. This vehicle is one of nine in the country.
  
  
• In 2004 the Greater Kansas City Chapter celebrated it's 90th Anniversary. The American Red Cross has been on the scene in Kansas City since October 14, 1914, when a chapter was founded under the leadership of Mrs. Irving R. Kirkwood. The first relief efforts of the local organization involved providing clothing and supplies to victims of WWI in Europe. In 1917, the Chapter’s ambulance corps and medical unit #28 were the first into France to provide aid to U. S. troops.
  
  Since that time, the Chapter has upheld its mission to provide relief to disaster victims and to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. During those many years, area residents have supported the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross by contributing to disaster relief efforts, volunteering their time, participating in safety and first aid training programs, as well as donating lifesaving blood.