1917

The old Red Cross passes, but the new Red Cross appears....The Red Cross nurse has reappeared, not in the hospitals where they once ministered to wounded heroes, but in schools where they are doing just as important, if less spectacular service...This, together with rendering assistance in disaster and emergencies, is a part of the work of the Red Cross. Its principal and its purpose is, and always will be service in peace and in war, of, by and for the American people.

Indeed, Red Cross nurses were very active during the Spanish Flu epidemic. The Strawberry Hill neighborhood in KCK was particularly hard hit by the epidemic. The Chapter continued projects from a small house at 814 N. 7th Street providing such services as volunteers for the veterans hospitals. Throughout the ensuing decades nursing services continued as a strong program. A vigorous first aid program was also initiated.

1930's
Hard times fell on the Chapter and the county's people. The Chapter embarked on a massive clothing project during the Depression years helping thousands of people. During this period, Cecilia Schubert was a Red Cross volunteer and a young farm wife in Bonner Springs. She helped with the Annual Fund Drive. After she finished milking the cows she would put her children in the car and drive through the countryside asking for donations. People gave pennies and dimes that had been tucked away in sugar bowls. Cecilia began raising money for the Red Cross during WWI when she was only 12 years old. Before her death in 1990 she received her 70 year pin and a standing ovation at the annual volunteer recognition event.

1940's
The chapter plunged into World War II as it had during World War I and met its quota of $208,000 for the 1944 Red Cross War Fund. Frank Bates was hired as a manager. Operations were split between the 7th Street location and the Home State Bank at 5th & Minnesota.

1950's
Local disaster capabilities were tested as never before in 1951 when the entire Armourdale area was devastated by flooding. $8.3 million in relief was given to thousands of flood victims. Fortunately, funds poured into the area since the Chapter had only budgeted $500 for disaster relief that year! Red Cross staff nurse, Elizabeth Hatfield said that Frank Bates was affectionately called "Father Bates." She also remembers Bates saying, "Disaster relief is just organized chaos...just CHAOS."

Following the '51 Flood plans were made for a new chapter building. The architectural firm of Haren & Laughlin were hired. The 8,800 square foot building, located at 1600 Washington Blvd, Kansas City, Kansas was finished in January 1955 at a cost of $88,000. No capital campaign was deemed necessary. Longtime volunteer, Mary Louise Teufler relates how concerned everyone was that the building was located so far west. The chapter was built adjacent to the prestigious residential area named West Heights; a J.C. Nichols development. Previous office space had been furnished free. Since 1945 the board of directors had saved the amount that would have been paid for rent--$500 per month. Then Chairman of the Board, Walter Oades remembers how frightening it was signing a ten year loan from the National Red Cross. Naturally, the loan's monthly payment was--$500 per month! The one-story, red brick building was designed for 25 staff  and continues to function today as the county's Red Cross headquarters. Home nursing education and the volunteer Gray Ladies Corps were the largest programs during the latter part of the 1950's.

Stormy board meetings preceded the decision to join the United Fund in 1956. The chapter mourned the passing of Frank Bates in 1957. Bob Scheulke was named as the new chapter executive in 1957. Scheulke would later manage the Kansas City Missouri Red Cross until his retirement in 1982.

1960's
Handmade ditty bags were filled with comfort items for soldiers in Vietnam. Voices from Home was a large chapter project during the Christmas holiday season. Military family members would come into the Chapter to record messages on the latest technology; a reel-to-reel tape recorder. The tapes were then forwarded to Vietnam or other overseas military bases. Gordon Jones was named chapter executive. 1967 marked the Chapter's 50th anniversary.

1970's
Advances in CPR highlighted progress in the chapter's safety education program. The civic club Zonta International donated an infant manikin to help launch the program. Bill Hall, a Red Cross field director during the Vietnam War replaced Jones as the chapter executive.

An undercurrent of change moved through the country, the county and the Red Cross. Chapter facilities were remodeled after briefly considering relocation.  Changes were also coming to the traditional United Way/Red Cross partnership. Its 100% funding agreements began to erode. In addition, poor management and the board's slowness to respond to the changing environment left the Chapter $175,000 in debt to the National Headquarters. United Way and Chapter leadership were angry and disillusioned, but remained committed to the Red Cross. The Chapter's staff of 10 were slashed to 5. The Chapter's transportation service was eliminated. National Red Cross considered closing the office.

1980's
Maxine Barbour briefly served as chapter manager during a stabilizing transition period. She was followed by Cynthia Allen. An effort to rebuild the chapter's reputation was made through aggressive expansion of the chapter's disaster relief services. This coincided with dramatic increases in the number of disasters nationwide. Volunteers responded to nearly every house fire. Canteen feeding operations were undertaken at major disaster incidents. Title to the community's Police and Fire Canteen vehicle was transferred to the chapter. By 1984, the Chapter was debt-free and designated as a Key Resource Chapter signifying it was self-sufficient and once again strong and viable. The economy boomed and United Way allocations to Red Cross increased substantially. 1985 National Red Cross President Richard F. Schubert was the keynote speaker at the chapter's annual meeting. Media coverage was positive and extensive.

1990's
The chapter forged into the 90's securing grants for a cutting-edge street outreach program to bring HIV/AIDS prevention education to high risk populations. Other grants awarded included Project Deserve, a utility assistance for the elderly and disabled; fire safety education and a free smoke detector installation program; and Rappin' Rabbits, a youth leadership program designed to teach preschoolers safety habits. Modern management strategies were implemented for efficiency and cost savings; restructuring staff into two major service areas--Emergency Services and Health & Safety Services; and the outsourcing of various support functions occurred. The Chapter's Veterans' Services Department was eliminated. Clients were referred to the Kansas Veterans Commission for assistance.

In 1991, the war in the Persian Gulf temporarily increased the Chapter's military caseload six fold. A support group for military families was created and received national acclaim. The office was open 24 hours a day during the early days of the war. Two Wyandotte County volunteers, Mary Ellen Ballard and Norma Wilson served in the Persian Gulf. Ballard assisted with emergency communications at the front lines and nurse practitioner Wilson managed a refugee camp of 10,000 people. The Chapter celebrated 75 years of service in 1992. The Great Flood of 1993 again found the local chapter center stage. Seven hundred Wyandotte County families were devastated by extensive flooding. Chapter paid and volunteer staff rose to the occasion. They initiated and managed the massive relief operation until National Red Cross resources could be mobilized. In the spring of 1997 the Chapter became a participating member of American Red Cross Blood Services.

The Chapter stands ready to take a quantum leap as it works to strengthen its board, build its fund raising capacity and deliver services into the 21st century.  2007 saw Jason Williby selected as Executive Director/CEO and many new innovations in fundraising and disaster preparedness, giving the chapter increased visibility and stature in the fast-growing Wyandotte County environment.