Red Cross to Conduct Domestic and Foreign Aid Using Private Donations, Oct. 14, 1919

From The Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 14, 1919

Red Cross Drive Is to Begin Nov. 2

Mr. H.E. Sisson of Atlanta told the annual meeting of the Hickory Red Cross last night the plans of the American Red Cross for the next year and solicited the help Catawba county in the final drive for funds of this organization of mercy. The meeting, owing to the weather, was not well attended, but those on hand enjoyed the comprehensive review of the society’s work, the outline of its plans for the future, and the reports of work accomplished by the local chapter, the canteen and the sewing room.

Officers who have directed the local work were reelected unanimously. It was on motion of Dr. F.C. Longaker that the votes of the meeting were cast for Dr. W.H. Nicholson, chairman; Mrs. W.B. Councill, vice-chairman; Mr. K.C. Menzies, treasurer; and Mrs. L.F. Abernethy, secretary.

Dr. Nicholson called the meeting to order and read the reports of work done during the past year. The canteen alone is continuing its work, taking care of two sick wards at Oteen.

Mr. Sisson explained that the war department had turned over $50 million of supplies in Europe to the Red Cross, which has been designated to go to the relief of the destitute on that continent and the Polish troops have released $6 million of supplies captured by the German army. Men, women and children in northern Europe are starving and freezing, and they must be relieved.

President Wilson has asked the Red Cross to take over this work and it is a duty that this society alone can handle well. It has the organization.

In addition to the foreign work, the Red Cross is planning health work in the states—every county in the union—besides its calamity work that made it so notable before the war. The Red Cross will train nurse(s) who will attempt to prevent disease—in other words, it will strive to help humanity, to care for the sick soldiers, to prevent many of the 200,000 deaths each year from tuberculosis, the 500,000 deaths annually of children under five years of age, and to save the nation more than it loses in war.

For this purpose a fund of $15 million will be raised—half of it for relief work abroad and the other half for home service. A drive will be put on between November 2 and 11 and every church in the country will stress the campaign. The southern states in the Atlanta district will be asked to raise $750,000, and Hickory’s share will e $1,900.

Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mr. W.A. Self and others thought the fund could be raised. Mr. Sisson showed where the local communities will benefit and it is a kind of service that appeals.