ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

GRAND FORKS COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS RECORDS

COLLECTION: OGL #1058

DATES: 1931-1980

SIZE: 9 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross Records were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by the Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross in the fall of 1985 (Acc.#86-1446).

ACCESS: Available for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was created in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 1863 to provide nonpartisan care to the wounded and sick in times of war. The founding of the American Red Cross in 1881 was largely due to the dedication of Clara Barton. Today, the organization's actions, guided by its dedication to humanity and a desire to promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation, and lasting peace amongst all peoples, follow these fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross originated with the "Grand Forks Red Cross Society." The Society was organized at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on July 6, 1898, in response to the need for local Red Cross groups in the wake of the Spanish-American War. The Society sent money, medical bandages, and magazines to American soldiers fighting in Cuba and the Philippines. The Society remained active until the return of the First North Dakota Infantry from the Philippines in September 1899.

The entry of the United States into the First World War necessitated the resurrection of the local chapter. In March 1917, the director of the Mountain Division of the Red Cross authorized the formation of the Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross. The first meeting of the group occurred on April 23, 1917, at City Hall. A membership committee was formed, which immediately began a systematic membership drive. By June of that year, over 2,400 members were enrolled. By the end of the war, $138,000 had been raised by over 8,500 members. Satellite branches had been established in 34 smaller towns on both sides of the state border. The Home Service Section helped over 25,000 families, while the Hospital Supply Committee gathered over five tons of clothing.

During the time between the First and Second World Wars, much of the efforts of the Grand Forks County Chapter were taken up with disaster relief. Drought victims in Western North Dakota, flood victims in Colorado, and earthquake victims in Japan were among those who received aid from Grand Forks.

By the start of World War II in 1939, only four of the original 34 local branches were still active. By 1944, even these four branches were closed. By the County Chapter had taken up Red Cross efforts throughout all of the Grand Forks County. Local Red Cross activities during World War II included the recruitment and training of nurses for the armed forces, in addition to the replacement of those local nurses who were in the service. The group also trained members of the Civil Defense Corps, raised funds for prisoner of war food parcels, shipped books, magazines, and recreational supplies to military bases and camps, and taught first aid and life saving classes.

The County Chapter continued its support of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. "Ditty bags" were sent to servicemen and servicewomen overseas, and the Red Cross Youth sent friendship bags to Vietnamese children. The Write Hanoi project was undertaken in 1970-71, which requested that American Prisoners of War be treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

Historically, the Red Cross has been especially helpful to residents of Grand Forks County and surrounding areas in times of flooding. The Red Cross has provided financial help, shelter, food, and clothing to those effected by flooding, at several different times during the twentieth century. The Red Cross has also brought in volunteers from outside the area to help fight floods.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross Records date from 1931-1980, and are divided into five series as follows:

Series I delineates the organizational structure of the County Chapter, and includes correspondence, minutes of meetings, reports, membership and recognition lists, and pamphlets.
Box 1, Folder 1 - Box 1, Folder 33

Series II chronicles various projects carried out by the Chapter: mother-baby care, swimming programs, first-aid programs, sewing and knitting production during World War II, Christmas boxes to soldiers, and ditty bags during the Vietnam War, 1966-1973. Also documented are Red Cross Youth projects during Vietnam, including the Write Hanoi project from 1970-1971.
Box 1, Folder 34 - Box 2, Folder 20

Series III documents the chapter's efforts at disaster relief from 1943-1966. Included are records relating to major floods in 1943, 1947, 1948, 1950, and 1966, as well as several major fires. These records include application cards and interview reports of those people who requested aid, disbursement orders and canceled checks for those relief items approved by the Chapter, and scrapbooks and folders of newspaper clippings. The records also document the Chapter's participation in relief after the 1957 Fargo tornado.
Box 2, Folder 21 - Box 3, Folder 53

Series IV When the Supplemental Security Income Program was passed, the Grand Forks Chapter participated in the SSI Alert, and made a concerted effort to identify those persons in Grand Forks and surrounding counties who were eligible for SSI benefits.
Box 4, Folder 1 - Box 4, Folder 24

Series V contains miscellaneous financial material and newspaper clippings.
Box 4, Folder 24 - Box 6

81 photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. One folder of oversize material was separated and placed in the Oversize File Cabinet.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder

SERIES I: ORGANIZATIONAL MATERIALS

  1. History of the Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross in World War II, by Felix J. Vondracek, 1949.
  2. Red Cross History Thumbnail Sketch and History of the Red Cross in Grand Forks County.
  3. Grand Forks County Chapter of the American Red Cross, By-laws.
  4. Statement of Understanding Between State of North Dakota and the American National Red Cross, 1935.
  5. General Information Pamphlets of the American Red Cross.
  6. Grand Forks Chapter Annual Reports, 1942-1948.
  7. Grand Forks Chapter Annual Reports, 1948-1956.
  8. Grand Forks Chapter Annual Reports, 1956-1980.
  9. Minutes of Meetings, 1931-1939.
  10. Minutes of Meetings, 1940-1944.
  11. Minutes of Meetings, 1945-1949.
  12. Minutes of Meetings, 1950-1955.
  13. Minutes of Meetings, 1956-1959.
  14. Minutes of Meetings, 1960-1963.
  15. Minutes of Meetings, 1964-1966.
  16. Minutes of Meetings, 1967-1969.
  17. Chairman of Volunteers, 1949-1974.
  18. Office of Volunteers, 1956-1969.
  19. Volunteers - Lists of Names and Service Performed.
  20. Volunteer Reports, 1963-1964.
  21. Volunteers - Responsibilities and Functions.
  22. Committee Members, 1971-1973.
  23. Volunteer Recognition Lists, 1950-1957.
  24. Volunteer Recognition Lists, 1956-1975.
  25. Volunteer Workshop Summaries - Recognition, Training.
  26. Volunteer Uniforms, Insignia and Awards.
  27. Correspondence - Thank You's.
  28. Nursing Information - 1958 and 1968.
  29. R. N. Information and "Organization and Function of the Chapter Nursing Service Committee".
  30. Nurse Enrollment in the Grand Forks Chapter, 1965-1973.
  31. Grand Forks County Registered Nurses, 1951, and undated.
  32. Roster of Nurses Licensed for Active Practice in North Dakota, 1949.
  33. Nursing and Health Programs Field Representative, 1971.

SERIES II: PROJECTS

  1. Nurse's Aide Service - 1943, 1945, 1953-1956.
  2. Gray Lady Program - 1949-1960.
  3. Staff Aide Service - 1948-1953.
  4. Motor Service, Driver Education - 1956-1968.
  5. Rural Fund Drive - 1958.
  6. 75th Anniversary Materials for the American Red Cross - 1956.
  7. War Production Orders - 1941-1954.
  8. Christmas Boxes for Soldiers - 1945-1955.
  9. Sewing Production - 1954-1966.
  10. Knitting Production - 1956-1966.
  11. Volunteers in Nursing Homes - 1959.
  12. Benefit Card Party - 1960.
  13. Christmas Ditty Bags for Vietnam Soldiers - 1966-1973.
  14. Thank You Letters from Vietnam Soldiers - 1968-1970.

Box 2
Folder

  1. Community Service - 1969-1971.
  2. Mother and Baby Care - Grand Forks AFB - 1972.
  3. First Aid Program and Correspondence - 1959-1960.
  4. Rehabilitation Unit, Medical Center - 1966.
  5. Valley Day Care Center - 1967-1969.
  6. Special Education, Swimming - 1968-1972.
  7. School Health Program
  8. Migrant Program - 1969-1970.
  9. Red Cross Youth Reports - 1967-1972.
  10. Red Cross Youth Enrollment - 1970-1972.
  11. Red Cross Youth Materials, Pamphlets - 1971.
  12. Red Cross Youth Materials - 1974-1980.
  13. Red Cross Youth, Friendship Kits to Vietnamese Children - 1969.
  14. Red Cross Youth, Write to Hanoi Campaign - 1970.
  15. Red Cross Youth, Write to Hanoi Campaign - 1970-1971.
  16. Red Cross Youth Leadership Training Center - 1973.
  17. Red Cross Youth Leadership Training Center - 1973-1974.
  18. Volteen Members - 1971.
  19. Red Cross Volunteers, Activities Report - 1955.
  20. Red Cross Volunteers, Activities Report - 1962-1963.

SERIES III: DISASTER RELIEF

  1. Disaster Relief, General Information Pamphlets.
  2. Disaster Relief, General Information Pamphlets.
  3. Disaster Relief and Precautions, Publicity.
  4. Entertainment and Supply Service - 1948.
  5. Disaster Training - 1954.
  6. Handbook for Physicians and Nurses, Preparedness and Relief - 1952.
  7. Mass Feeding - 1965-1966.
  8. Polio Emergency Workers - 1953.
  9. Fargo Tornado Relief - 1957.
  10. Chilean Disaster Relief - 1960.
  11. Chilean Disaster Project - 1960.
  12. Civilian Defense - 1953-1958.
  13. Grand Forks County Flood - 1943.
  14. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1943 - Last Names, A-B.
  15. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1943 - Last Names, C-J.
  16. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1943 - Last Names, K-R.
  17. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1943 - Last Names, S-W.
  18. Disaster Flood Relief Totals - 1945-1946.
  19. Grand Forks County Flood - 1947.
  20. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, A-B.
  21. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, C-F.
  22. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, G-H.
  23. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, J- L.
  24. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, M-O.
  25. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, P-T.
  26. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1947 - Last Names, W-Z.
  27. Record of Disbursement Orders - 1947 Flood.
  28. Voided Disbursement Orders - 1947 Flood.
  29. Advise of Award Records - 1947 Flood.

Box 3
Folder

  1. Flood Emergency Information - 1948.
  2. Grand Forks County Flood - 1948.
  3. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1948 - Last Names, A-B.
  4. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1948 - Last Names, G-H.
  5. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1948 - Last Names, J-L.
  6. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1948 - Last Names, M-R.
  7. Disaster Fact Sheets, Flood 1948 - Last Names, S-W.
  8. Grand Forks County Flood Disaster Relief - 1950.
  9. Flood Relief, River Level Readings - 1950.
  10. Application Cards for Flood Disaster Relief
  11. Telephone Inquiry Cards, 1950 Flood.
  12. Canceled Checks for Flood Relief - 1950.
  13. Correspondence, Flood Relief - 1950.
  14. Correspondence, Flood Relief - 1950.
  15. Disbursing Orders for Flood Relief - 1950.
  16. Application Cards for Flood Disaster Relief - 1951.
  17. Application Cards and Relief Reports for Flood Relief - 1952.
  18. Flood Disaster Relief - 1954.
  19. East Grand Forks Flood Relief - 1962.
  20. East Grand Forks Flood Relief Case Records - 1962.
  21. Red River Valley Flood Threat - 1966.
  22. Dispatcher Instructions for Motile Canteen - Flood 1966.
  23. County Poor Farm Fire, Arvilla - 1940.
  24. Anderson Fire, Grand Forks - 1949.
  25. Berry Fire, Grand Forks - 1949.
  26. Hagen Fire, Grand Forks - 1949.
  27. Haist Fire, Grand Forks - 1949.
  28. Nulu Fire, Grand Forks - 1949.
  29. Schuman Fire, Grand Forks - 1949.
  30. Fire Disaster Relief - 1955-1958.
  31. Schultz Fire, Grand Forks - 1961.
  32. McDonald Fire, Inkster - 1962.
  33. East Grand Forks Fire Disaster Relief - 1962.
  34. East Grand Forks Fire, Dooley - 1962.
  35. East Grand Forks Fire, Johnston - 1962.
  36. East Grand Forks Fire, Murdock - 1962.
  37. East Grand Forks Fire, Reed - 1962.
  38. East Grand Forks Fire, Williams - 1962.
  39. Caste Fire, Emerado - 1965.
  40. Home Gas Explosion, Palmer Ellingson Family Relief Fund - 1953.
  41. Financial - Contracts - 1943.
  42. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1943.
  43. Financial - Canceled Checks - Flood 1943.
  44. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1943.
  45. Financial - Commitment Record - Flood 1947.
  46. Financial - Check Stubs - Flood 1947.
  47. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1947.
  48. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1947.
  49. Financial - Disbursement Record - Flood 1948.
  50. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1948.
  51. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1948.
  52. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1948.
  53. Financial - Disbursing Orders - Flood 1948.

Box 4
Folder
SERIES IV: SSI

  1. Supplemental Security Income Alert - 1974.
  2. SSI Weekly Reports - 1974.
  3. Final Report for STE Alert - 1974.
  4. SSI Correspondence - 1974.
  5. SSI Invoices - 1974.
  6. SSI Referrals - 1974.
  7. SSI Alert Returns - 1974.
  8. SSI Volunteer Lists and Time Cards - 1974.
  9. SSI Volunteer Training Kit - 1974.
  10. SSI Forms - 1974.
  11. SSI Correspondence, Grand Forks County - 1974.
  12. SSI Correspondence, Griggs County - 1974.
  13. SSI Correspondence, Mahnomen County - 1974.
  14. SSI Correspondence - Marshall County - 1974.
  15. SSI Correspondence - Kittson County - 1974.
  16. SSI Correspondence - Nelson County - 1974,
  17. SSI Correspondence - Norman County - 1974.
  18. SSI Correspondence - Pembina-Cavalier County - 1974.
  19. SSI Correspondence - Pennington County - 1974.
  20. SSI Correspondence - Polk-Red Lake County - 1974.
  21. SSI Correspondence - Roseau County - 1974.
  22. SSI Correspondence - Steel County - 1974.
  23. SSI Correspondence - Trail County - 1974.
  24. SSI Correspondence - Walsh County - 1974.

SERIES V: MISCELLANEOUS

  1. News Clippings - Surgical Dressings and Floods - 1943-1946.
  2. News Clippings - War Fund Drive - 1944-1946.
  3. News Clippings - Activities: Canteen, Recreation, Production, Home Service, etc. - 1940-1947.
  4. News Clippings - Flood 1950.
  5. News Clippings - Flood 1950.
  6. News Clippings - General Activities - 1951-1952.
  7. News Clippings - Blood Donor Enrollment - 1953.
  8. News Clippings - Flood 1966.
  9. News Clippings - Miscellaneous, 1968.
  10. News Clippings - Miscellaneous
  11. Financial - Annual Audits - 1943-1953.
  12. Financial - Annual Audits - 1954-1958.
  13. Financial - Operating Expenses and Proposed Budgets - 1957-1964.
  14. Financial - Miscellaneous.
  15. Financial - Summary of Chapter Income and Expenditures - 1971-1972.
  16. Financial - Summary of Chapter income and Expenditures - 1973-1974.
  17. Award Certificates - 1939, 1946, 1950.

Box 5

Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1938-1945.
Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1944-1945.
Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1947-1952.
Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1951-1958.

Box 6

Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1957-1960.
Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1961-1965.
Scrapbook, News Clippings - 1965-1971.

SEPARATIONS RECORD

81 photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection.

OGL1058-1

Jane A. Delano, WWI Director of Red Cross Nursing Service.

OGL1058-2

Jane A. Delano, WWI Director of Red Cross Nursing Service.

OGL1058-3

Unidentified Worker at a Sewing Machine.

OGL1058-4

Mrs. Nancy Zey.

OGL1058-5

Unidentified Workers Donning Head Covering.

OGL1058-6

Red Cross Float in Parade, Undated.

OGL1058-7

County War Fund Workers, 4/12/47.

OGL1058-8

Walsh County Work Production Group.

OGL1058-9

Unidentified.

OGL1058-10

Instruction Class.

OGL1058-11

Instruction Class.

OGL1058-12

Kathryn Lemertz.

OGL1058-13

Unidentified.

OGL1058-14

Mrs. Henry Ruud.

OGL1058-15

Mrs. Bea Mayer, Mrs. Luella Mayer.

OGL1058-16

Mrs. S.H. Booth.

OGL1058-17

Unidentified.

OGL1058-18

Junior Red Cross Workshop, Lake Forest, Illinois, August 17-21, 1952; Miss Florence Rasmusson.

OGL1058-19

Mary Boley, Millie Jensen.

OGL1058-20

Mary Boley, Millie Jensen.

OGL1058-21

Ethel Smith, GFAFB, 8/18/65.

OGL1058-22

Unidentified.

OGL1058-23

Unidentified.

OGL1058-24

Mrs. Barney, Mrs. Harold Hogle, GFAFB, 1960.

OGL1058-25

Unidentified.

OGL1058-26

Michal Clark, Jamestown, Governor Arthur Link, Phyllis Connolly, Dunn Center, ND.

OGL1058-27

Mrs. Charles Christianson, Mrs. Raymond Gehrig, George R. Meyer, Field Director.

OGL1058-28

First Aid Instructor's Course

OGL1058-29

Maybelle Moore, 1979 Flood, Valley Junior High.

OGL1058-30

Sally Neumann, Junior Red Cross Training Center, Custer, SD, 7/26/48,

OGL1058-31

Geneva, WWII, Food and Clothing Stockpiles.

OGL1058-32

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-33

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-34

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-35

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-36

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-37

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-38

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-39

1955 Floods, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

OGL1058-40

Slide of Norby's Window miring 1955 Fund Drive.

OGL1058-41

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-42

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-43

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-44

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-45

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-46

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-47

Church Group at Holmes, 1960, Howard Mereness, First Aid Class.

OGL1058-48

GFAFB, 8/26/65, Melvin G. Geiser, Field Director with Base Representatives.

OGL1058-49

Distributing Friendship Bags in Vietnam, 1968.

OGL1058-50

Distributing Friendship Bags in Vietnam, 1968.

OGL1058-51

Distributing Friendship Bags in Vietnam, 1968.

OGL1058-52

Distributing Friendship Bags in Vietnam, 1968.

OGL1058-53

Distributing Friendship Bags in Vietnam, 1968.

OGL1058-54

American Red Cross Workers in Vietnam, 1966(?).

OGL1058-55

American Red Cross Workers in Vietnam, 1966(?).

OGL1058-56

American Red Cross Workers in Vietnam, 1966(?).

OGL1058-57

American Red Cross Workers in Vietnam, 1966(?).

OGL1058-58

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-59

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-60

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-61

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-62

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-63

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-64

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-65

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-66

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-67

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-68

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-69

Grand Forks Flood Relief, 1966.

OGL1058-70

GFAFB, 8/18/65, Pre-school Physicals.

OGL1058-71

Capping Ceremony, 5/9/67.

OGL1058-72

Capping Ceremony, 5/9/67.

OGL1058-73

Capping Ceremony, 5/9/67.

OGL1058-74

Capping Ceremony, 5/9/67.

OGL1058-75

Capping Ceremony, 5/9/67.

OGL1058-76

Relief After Hurricane Betsy, September, 1965.

OGL1058-77

Relief After Hurricane Betsy, September, 1965.

OGL1058-78

Relief After Hurricane Betsy, September, 1965.

OGL1058-79

Philip Schenkenberg, 1962 Manager Red Cross Mid-West Area.

OGL1058-80

James I. Nicholson.

OGL1058-81

Unloading Red Cross Van, Undated.

One folder of oversized material was separated and placed in the Oversize File Cabinets.

  1. Flood Control Map, 1944; Data for Grand Forks County, University USGS River Gages, 1944.
  2. News Clippings, 1950 Flood.
  3. News Clippings, 1966 Flood.
  4. News Clippings, John F. Kennedy Assassination - November, 1963 - from the Grand Forks Herald.
 Original Donation  First Addition: 1917-1945
 Second Addition: 1918-1919  

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