“The purpose of Red Cross, “ she said on her charter trip to Syracuse, “is not to increase the number of burdensome societies, but to support and expedite the work of securing and distributing contributions to the relief of disease and destruction in places unable to bear their suffering and burden alone.”
On October 11
th, a local “Red Cross Committee” was officially formed in Syracuse by community leaders with Disaster Relief work to be its centerpiece. Disasters both locally and across the country generated responses from the Onondaga group starting almost immediately.
On October 20, 1884, the worst fire in the history of Northern New York consumed the Village of Carthage. Citizens of Onondaga County, through the local Red Cross, contributed money, school books, clothing, and other support to victims. Other activities during the first decade included assistance to Mississippi and to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, flood victims.
In 1900 Congress granted a charter to the American National Red Cross and created its disaster role. Another charter was granted in 1905; and the National organization began enrollment of nurses to serve in case of wars. Though the Red Cross mission was sanctioned by Congress, it was chartered as a volunteer-driven agency, not an agency of the government.
Later, other Red Cross Chapters were formed in the area, including the Cayuga County Chapter, formed in 1917.
Through the years, the Red Cross name became associated with a prestigious and professional on-scene relief force and post-crisis stronghold in Central New York. We continue that work today, as we respond to local and national disasters. From home fires to floods, the Red Cross is there for the communities we serve.
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