The Delta independent., 1919-01-31
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF
DELTA COUNTY RED CROSS

Now that we are emerging from
the stress of the doing, into the peace
of the done, a report of the organic
alton and work of Delta County Chap
ter is in order.
Delta County Chapter was organized
August 1, 1916, at Paonia, as Pitken
mesa chapter, by loyal band of Is
workers, who had been working dur
ing the summer on surgical dressings.
Miss Hayward was elected chairman
and from then until June, 1917, spent
much of her time in organizing the
work throughout the county and in
directing the work of surgical dress
ings. Since then she has been chapter
surgical supervisor. When Red Cross
work shall have become a matter of
history, Delta County Chapter. will still
owe Miss Hayward a debt of gratitude
for her unfailing loyalty and service.
The work of directing the organization
has been easy compared with that of
creating an interest and enthusiasm
for the work when we were looking
at the need from an outsiders view
point. On May %. 1917, Pitkin mesa
ty Chapter and the organization was
completed June s.
July -, the following branches
were recognized: Delta, Austin, Eek
ert, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss. Paonia,
Rogers mesa, Crawford and Bone mesa
auxiliary. Redlands mesa was recog-
nized August 23
By November it became evident that
Delta was the logical point for chapter
headquarters. At the annual meeting
Nov. II the change was made and
Paonia became branch in fact and
name. Delta was merged with the
chapter and Cedar mesa branch and
w. R. G. Auxiliary became an auxill-
iary of Paonia branch and our organ
ization was completed as it stands
to-day. branches. ! auxiliary and
the parent Chapter.
Until we began to compile a record
of work accomplished since our organ
ization we little realized what a stu
pendous amount it is. Think of knit
ing 3632 1-2 pounds of yarn. The hours
and hours it took to make the sox
and sweaters and the garments( and
the dollars and dollars it took to pay
for the material-SS,492.5 for yarn
alone.
May we not pause a moment to
tender our heartfelt thanks to the
men and women who have made all
our work possible by their liberal re-
sponse to all Red Cross needs.
Work began In earnest in the
branches in July. Our first shipment
was two dozen bed shirts. one dozen
each of surgeons helmets, nurses
caps, handkerchiefs, napkins, tray
clothes, three dozen wash cloths and
one patient outfit donated by the D.
A. R. Compare that with the 1900
garments and 500 knitted articles ship
ped to date in January Quite an i'm
provements in 16 months. Our first
bill for yarn was, lbs. at s1.75 on
August Is, 1917, 1878; our last $769.90
for 1876 pounds.
Since October. 1917 we have shipped
1881 knitted articles. 6357 hospital
garments, 2120 hospital supplies, 139
comfort bags, and 2S39 refugee gar
ments and an indefinite amount of
knit gods to be sent before February
1. Total shipped 1856 articles This
includes 139 comfort bags. 2027 sweat
ers. $3.50 sox, 1874 mufflers, 273 wrist
lets. 33 helmets. "a afgans. 95 hospital
bags, $50 ambulance pillows. 33 pairs
operating leggings, 115 sheets. ia
pillows, 709 hand towels. 1856 wash
cloths, 19 nurses cans, 12 operating
caps, bag cases. 239 napkins. Ill
tray covers G36 HELPLESS case shirts,
1908 bandage foot sox. 745 pair bed
sox, As suits underclothes, 1889 sum-
mer bed shirts. 141s suits of pajamas.
81 convalescent robes, 10s bed Jackets.