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Neighbors Helping Neighbors |
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American Red Cross Wayne County Chapter |
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We provide disaster services 24 hours a day / 365 days a year.
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Wayne County — Our history |
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The American Red Cross Wayne County Chapter was chartered in 1917, shortly after the United States entered Word War I, in support of the Military Troops and their families. The Chapter celebrates it’s 91st year in Wayne County in 2008. The Chapter recently completed a $1.6 million Capital Campaign, and dedicated our new home on April 17, 2008. The project culminated a long search and building project which began in 1998. Under the leadership of Honorary Chairpersons, Richard Seaman and Jenny Smucker, along with Campaign Chairmen Dwight Douce and Tim Tegtmeier, the Chapter reached it’s goal and finalized construction. The Wayne County Chapter has responsibility for services delivered throughout the county and into Big Prairie. We are a member of the Regional Jurisdiction headquartered in Cleveland.
Chapter Leadership John Gareis, Executive Director
Kirk Spurgeon, Chapter Board Chairman Tricia Pycraft, Vice-Chairman of Board Earl Kerr, Secretary to Board
Chad Boreman, Boreman Financial Services Donnadale Davis, Orrville Phyllis Hackel, Wayne County Health Department Coleen Hitchcock, Hitchcock Excavating Greg Long, Long, Cook & Samsa, CPA Al Martin, The Village Network Jerry Miller, ServiceMaster—Creston Don Mortimer, Mortimer Insurance Roger Ramseyer, College of Wooster Rita Shisler, Shisler Cheese—Orrville Steve Thornton, Wooster, Wooster Police—Retired
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History of the Wayne County Chapter
In 1881, Clara Barton—so inspired by the writings of Henri Dunant—began what is recognized worldwide as the most humanitarian organization in the world. The American Red Cross in Wayne County began service to the community 91 years ago. The Chapter was chartered several months following the United States involvement in World War I. Concerned patriots in Wayne County wanted to help the war effort by supporting our troops who were deployed in Europe.
A petition to organize was completed and forwarded to Chicago, along with the required $ 10 fee. Authorization to form a Chapter was granted on the express condition, as stated on the official form, “that proposed Chapter shall conform to the regulations and policies of the American National Red Cross.”
State Director FE Abbott signed the authorization. The Wayne County Chapter held it’s first meeting on June 2, 1917 at the home of Mrs. GW Orcutt, where the following officers were elected: Dr. George W. Ryall, Chairman; Mrs. GW Orcutt, Vice Chairman; William H. Harris, Treasurer; and Edith G. Yocum, Secretary.
The original Board of Directors consisted of 34 members, with an additional five Ex-officio members being elected—including Mayor Forbes Alcock. All original members of the Board resided in Wooster.
The newly chartered Chapter held it’s first large meeting on June 5th, 1917 at the Wooster Methodist Church. The meeting was attended by “several hundred women—and fifteen men”!
Among the early tasks the new Red Cross Chapter became involved with was supplying our servicemen over seas with care packages, bandages, and fund drives to help with the war effort. The Wayne County Chapter began a long tradition, that continues to this day, of helping servicemen and their families.
During it’s first year, the Chapter opened twelve auxiliary branches throughout Wayne County. Branches in Orrville, Fredericksburg, Shreve, Big Prairie, Reedsburg, Burbank, Jefferson, Creston, Moreland, West Salem, Mount Eaton and Chester Township all opened in 1917. In these areas, 6,861 people became members of the American Red Cross by paying the required $1 membership fee. The entire adult population numbering 500 in West Salem became members and supported the Red Cross. In it’s first year, the local Chapter was requested to raise $37,600 to support the War effort. The generous and patriotic people of Wayne County responded by raising $69,004—nearly doubling the goal!
The Chapter completed it’s largest project in December 2007, by moving into the new Chapter headquarters, located at 244 West South Street in Wooster. The $1.6 million capital campaign concluded a ten year search for a new facility. The Chapter had operated out of the building located at 124 North Walnut Street in Wooster for 41 years. This site was the first facility the Chapter owned, but the 100 year old building proved too costly to renovate. The Chapter had rented various offices in downtown Wooster throughout it’s history, including offices at city hall, St. James Episcopal Church, the College of Wooster, and the Quinby building. The new facility provides multiple classrooms, offices, garage and storage facilities, parking and a full kitchen. The Wayne County Red Cross had worked on this project for over 10 years—and the facility should assure the community of our presence long into the future.
The American Red Cross—Wayne County Chapter has a long and storied history—one which all of Wayne County should be proud of. Thousands in our community have been touched by the services provided by the American Red Cross, and many more thousands have given of themselves to help others. Be a part of our continuing history by becoming a Red Cross volunteer!
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