What we do Locally

2005 was an exciting year for the American Red Cross in Clinton County. Thanks to the generosity and support of business leaders and citizens, the Clinton County Service Center opened its doors Apr 5, 2005 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and presentation of a Key to the City by former Mayor, Don Schmitz. Many neighbors from the community gathered to tour the new facility at 1111 Jefferson in Carlyle.

According to Tom Ette, Executive Director, of the South Central Illinois Chapter, Centralia originally assumed responsibility for Red Cross services in Clinton County in 1994. “As the area has grown, so has the need for more services. The purpose of the new facility in Clinton County is to provide faster and more complete services to the residents and businesses in the area.”

September McAdoo, a Carlyle resident, was named manager of the new facility. “Our mission is to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.” At the new Center, trained workers are available to respond to local disasters 24 hours a day. In addition, classes are offered in Community Disaster Education; Workplace Safety; First Aid; CPR for Adults, Children and Infants; AED Essentials training (automatic external defibrillator); and Babysitting.

The Center also works to assist local military families through the Armed Forces Emergency Service program (AFES). Emergency messages are communicated to service members and their families during times of need, which provides a great benefit when so many military members are deployed around the world.

Since opening in April, Center volunteers and staff have responded to 10 single-family disasters across the county. Services have been provided to more than 30 people at a cost of more than $3,300. In addition, caseworkers have handled 12 military (AFES) cases.

World War I was the catalyst for the formation of many American Red Cross Chapters. The Centralia Illinois Chapter was founded on September 10, 1917. At that time, one of the primary services of the Chapter was to make up bandages which were then sent to the Army for use in field hospitals. Over the years, the Chapter assumed additional responsibilities which included the collection of blood products and relief response to disasters. For 88 years, the Chapter’s jurisdiction was limited to the city of Centralia with secondary responsibility for a few surrounding counties such as Marion, Clay and Clinton. In 2005, the Chapter’s official jurisdiction was expanded to include Centralia and all of Clinton County. A Service Center was then opened in Carlyle, Illinois to serve the residents of Clinton County. Later in 2005, the Chapter changed its official name to the South Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, reflecting the true geography for which it was responsible. Mid-way through 2005 the Chapter was asked to assume additional responsibility for five more counties, formerly served by the Effingham, Illinois Chapter. Today, the Chapter serves seven counties; Clinton, Marion, Effingham, Fayette, Clay, Jasper and Cumberland. Offices are located in Centralia, Carlyle and Effingham.

In addition we support the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region with assistance with local blood drives





	_________ _________ ________ _________				What We Do Locally! The Clinton County Service Center: Open House for the Red Cross in Carlyle April 5, 2005 Pictured L to R: Dick Crocker, Clinton County ESDA Director; Darlene Rodden; former Mayor Don Schmitz; Sister Geraldine Neier; Martha Heinzmann; Ed Kleber, Alderman; September McAdoo; and Mary Schmitz. 2005 was an exciting year for the American Red Cross in Clinton County. Thanks to the generosity and support of business leaders and citizens, the Clinton County Service Center opened its doors Apr 5, 2005 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and presentation of a Key to the City by former Mayor, Don Schmitz. Many neighbors from the community gathered to tour the new facility at 1111 Jefferson in Carlyle. According to Tom Ette, Executive Director, of the South Central Illinois Chapter, Centralia originally assumed responsibility for Red Cross services in Clinton County in 1994. “As the area has grown, so has the need for more services. The purpose of the new facility in Clinton County is to provide faster and more complete services to the residents and businesses in the area.” September McAdoo, a Carlyle resident, was named manager of the new facility. “Our mission is to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.” At the new Center, trained workers are available to respond to local disasters 24 hours a day. In addition, classes are offered in Community Disaster Education; Workplace Safety; First Aid; CPR for Adults, Children and Infants; AED Essentials training (automatic external defibrillator); and Babysitting. The Center also works to assist local military families through the Armed Forces Emergency Service program (AFES). Emergency messages are communicated to service members and their families during times of need, which provides a great benefit when so many military members are deployed around the world. Since opening in April, Center volunteers and staff have responded to 10 single-family disasters across the county. Services have been provided to more than 30 people at a cost of more than $3,300. In addition, caseworkers have handled 12 military (AFES) cases. World War I was the catalyst for the formation of many American Red Cross Chapters. The Centralia Illinois Chapter was founded on September 10, 1917. At that time, one of the primary services of the Chapter was to make up bandages which were then sent to the Army for use in field hospitals. Over the years, the Chapter assumed additional responsibilities which included the collection of blood products and relief response to disasters. For 88 years, the Chapter’s jurisdiction was limited to the city of Centralia with secondary responsibility for a few surrounding counties such as Marion, Clay and Clinton. In 2005, the Chapter’s official jurisdiction was expanded to include Centralia and all of Clinton County. A Service Center was then opened in Carlyle, Illinois to serve the residents of Clinton County. Later in 2005, the Chapter changed its official name to the South Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, reflecting the true geography for which it was responsible. Mid-way through 2005 the Chapter was asked to assume additional responsibility for five more counties, formerly served by the Effingham, Illinois Chapter. Today, the Chapter serves seven counties; Clinton, Marion, Effingham, Fayette, Clay, Jasper and Cumberland. Offices are located in Centralia, Carlyle and Effingham. In addition we support the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region with assistance with local blood drives
	_________ _________ ________ _________				The Mission of the American Red Cross "The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its congressional charter and the principles of the International Red Cross Movement." *The major source of funding for any Red Cross chapter is private donations* *So please remember to give to your local American Red Cross.* © Copyright The American Red Cross South Central Illinois Chapter. All Rights Reserved. Copyright information web site designed by: Janetta Forbes web site maintained by: Joy Lougeay