Besides making the surgical dressings and garments in the
work-room, and the knitting in the homes, the Red Cross
volunteered to do other work. On April 16, 1918, when the
Jackie Military Band of the Great Lakes Training Station helped
Brodhead celebrate "Going over the Top" in the Third
Liberty Loan Drive, the Red Cross prepared dainties and packed
a box for each Jackie. The expression on the faces of the boys
showed how much this attention was appreciated.
In 1918, under the direction of the Red Cross, about 100
Christmas boxes were sent by parents to their boys overseas.
Each soldier was permitted to receive one Christmas box 3
inches by 4 inches by 9 inches in size and not to exceed 3 pounds
in weight. No person was furnished a carton except upon presentation
of a "Christmas parcel label," which was obtained through
the army by the soldier and sent back to his parents. Each parcel
was carefully examined, wrapped and labeled by the Red Cross.
That, in most cases, these boxes reached their destinations was
assured by messages from the boys. In a letter to his mother,
from Lussac, France, December 19, Private Loyal S. YOUNG said:
"The Christmas box from home came today. It is beyond me
to express how well everything suited me. All was in perfect
condition, nothing smashed, it was packed to utilize every fraction
of space and contained just what I wanted most. Many Christmas
packages are arriving daily and also much first class mail, which
cheers up the boys."
In response to a request from the Hoover commission, two
collections of old clothing were successfully made. The first,
for the Belgians, was held March 18-25, 1918. The second
was a Refugee Clothing Drive, March 24-31, 1919. Altogether,
4,000 pounds of old clothing was shipped. In this lot were many
pairs of good shoes.
In January and February, 1919, $400.00 was sent in to the
Central Division for its "carry on" work.
Again, after a Victory Loan Community meeting held April
16, 1919, the Red Cross served free lunches at the Café
to
all returned soldiers in uniform.
In May, 1919, refreshments were served to Company H, members
of the 32nd Division, on their return home to
Monroe through Brodhead.
On April 17, 1920, Seventy Dollars was given to the Near
East Relief Fund.
On April 7, 1920, the Red Cross served and donated the food
for the first annual dance of the American Legion. This
supper netted them $160.00. The following letter of appreciation
was received by the President of the Red Cross: "At the
last meeting of the Swann-Gehr Post of the American Legion, the
undersigned were appointed as a committee to fittingly thank
the local chapter of the Red Cross for their generous support
at the first annual dance of the Post. It is, we feel, impossible
to do this adequately, for you have by your unselfish work, placed
us under deep obligations to you, and we feel that we cannot
say enough or say anything which will overstate the case. However,
we wish to assure you that each and every member of the Post
recognized that it was mainly the Red Cross who made the dance
the success that it proved to be. The individual work of your
members, and the splendidly organized system of co-operation
which was evidenced in the serving of the excellent supper was
really marvelous, and we can only hope that you feel as proud
of the success as we do of you. On behalf of the Swann-Gehr Post,
with profoundest feelings of gratitude, we thank you.
Signed: Godfrey ZUERCHER,
G. S. DARBY,
Mahlon CARADINE."
A committee of Red Cross women solicited food for the canteen
conducted by the Legion on Armistice Day 1920. This
committee, which was really a soliciting committee for the
entire period, was composed of the following members: Mesdames
HOWARD, BAXTER, HOOKER, AGNEW, COLE, LAWVER, TIES, MOONEY and
Miss LYONS.