A Brief History

 The American Red Cross, Beaumont Chapter has been serving the community since May 29, 1917.  The history of the Beaumont Chapter is replete with examples of everyday people doing extraordinary deeds to alleviate human suffering.  Throughout the chapter's rich history, the services that have been provided serve as a window through which the history and culture of our community can be viewed.

          Immediately after its inception, the chapter responded by raising money in support of the efforts of the First World War.  During the Second World War, the chapter provided volunteers as well as material aide to those fighting our country's enemies.  These volunteers sent care packages to troops overseas as well as financial contributions for those affected by the war.  During the Korean conflict Beaumont volunteers led multiple blood campaigns to save the lives of those injured in battle.  A few years later, Beaumont volunteers gathered records, food, and other personal items for those fighting the Vietnam conflict.  Recently, during operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom, the Beaumont Chapter has provided a vital link between military service members abroad and their anxious families.

 Board of Directors

2009 - 2010

Chairman:  Dan Walters                     

Vice Chair:  Mavis Triebel

Secretary:  Deborah Bothe

Treasurer:  Bill Hale

Committee Chairman:

• Bill Hale, Finance
• Norm Dallas, Nominations
• Milton Bell, Building and Grounds, Disaster Services

Members:

• Everette "Bo" Alfred
• Steve Barkley
• Milton Bell
• Nancy Blume
• Gary Chalk
• Norm Dallas
• Pete De La Cruz
• Garland Flakes
• Gerald Flatten
• Leonard Juncker
• Mark Pierce 
• Vernon Pierce
• J. D. Plunkett
• Terry Shipman
• Earl White
• Scott White                                                                                      

Still helping, when help can't wait.

The services of the American Red Cross are certainly not limited to military conflicts.  Indeed, the Beaumont Chapter has helped thousands of families during virtually every kind of natural disaster.  Some of the most memorable disasters to which the Beaumont Chapter has responded to are Hurricanes Hugo, Carla, Andrew, Floyd, Katrina, Rita, and most recently Gustav and Ike.  Other than hurricanes, the Beaumont Chapter has had volunteers respond to wildfires in Colorado and California, floods across the United States, and the events of September 11.

Locally, the Beaumont Chapter responds to hundreds of disasters yearly, such as house fires, localized flooding, and wind storms, providing thousands of dollars in direct relief.  The Red Cross works in partnership with people affected by disasters to help them return to living independently as quickly as possible.  The Beaumont Chapter alone responded to over 200 disasters and assisted over 1500 individuals and families during the last fiscal year, most of which were house and apartment fires.  Our Disaster Action Team (DAT) is prepared to respond to any disaster, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the years.