Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-07-30
RED CROSS.


/
Cross, submitted at the annual meeting
| held recently:
| The Hancock county chapter has con-
| tinued its Red Cross activities through
out the year. The great work of chapter
| production was maintained and carried
through up to the time OF the signing of
the armistice with the same interest and
zeal as were previously manifested and on
ines laid down by our national organizs-
| ton.
Naturally, with the close OF actual hos
tilities in which our troops shared, the
work slackened. The responsiveness
awakened by the impelling needs, Will
the tragedy was on, halted with the reali-
cation of prospective peace. Then, again,
as he intensity of the suffering and need
was brought home to US as France snd
Belgium and the other war-stricken areas
lay almost helpless after the four years
ordeal, Red Cross work with us here, as
else here, began to pick up for awhile as
the result of sober thought.
Surgical dressings were no longer so
much in demand, but appeals for knitted
stockings, sweaters, mufflers and shawls,
refugee garments of various types, and
clothing of all kinds were urgently made
upon as.
The chapter has undertaken hirty
different production orders for surgical
dressings, garments and knitting since
last July, and has completed and shipped
approximately the full complement OF
work assigned or accepted by US.
Some idea Of what is included by these
production orders may be gathered by
brief mention of the articles, viz: Surgi-
ca. dressings packets, pads, etc., 12,l16,
sewing garments, lsyettes, kits, etc.
1856 knitting tsocks, 2,s73 prs, sweaters,
737, miscellaneous, 55l 1855.
To the special drives our chapter has
responded well in most instances, notably
the second Belgian relief drive for clio, h.
ing, our allotment having been 5000
pounds and we responded with e,0i7.
In the old clothing drive OF March "a
to 81, under the management Of Capt.
Charles l.. Smith, we were ena bled to
ship 1897 pounds OF clothing, no specified
allotment having been given and our
organizations having been left to their
own discretion as to the quantity
A nurse survey OF our county was made. I
a special committee having this in charge, +
with Hon, H. E. Hsmlin as chairman.
This was difficult matter to put through /
owing TO the hesltsncy in filling out
questionnaires, absence OF nurses. etc, but I
1t resulted in securing the names and data /
OF some sixty lone persons as graduate
nurses, ungradusted nurses, trained at
PENDANTS, midwiyes, practical nurses,
women who have taken Red Cross courses,
and pupil nurses. /
Our Christmas roll call secured a new
membership of $500, and according to our
last mem bership report, our chapter has a /
membership of 6,s75 members, of all
classes. These figures are subject to re-
vision owing to deaths, removals, etc., not
to the secretary.
The important work OF home service
has been carried forward by our civilian
relief committee, of which Rev. K. B.
Mathews is the active secretary, and to
whom / would refer you for the many
ways in which it has brought the home
aud camp and battlefield or hospital in
touch with each other and ministered to
the needs Of the families and dependents
Of our soldiers and sailors.
K. L. Stevens has succeeded W II.
Patten as chairman of our junior mem
bership (school auxiliary work, this
work having undergone some change as
to methods and emphasis in which Red
Cross may utilize and operate in school
activities.
II the boys did not all receive their
Christmas packets over across, / do not
feel that it was the fault OF our Red Cross
committees here, for they responded
promptly and zealously in getting the ,
boxes labeled. inspected, stamped and .
delivered to Uncle Sam for completion OF
his part OF the Job.
Our chapter served under many hmita-
tions during the epidemic, but was able
to assist financially and in securing
nurses for its own as well as for territory
outside OF our county.
There have been eight meetings OF the
executive committee of the chapter dur
ing the year. The committee has lost two
of its members during the year, one by
death and one who resigned because OF
removal from the county.
Our chapter closes its year with all of
its organizations in force, viz: ten
branches and sixteen auxilisries, though
several have contemplated disbanding
The war program is over. How far our
chapter will enter upon the peace pro-
gram OF the Red Cross remains to be seen.
Already the women are entering upon the
production work assigned for the sum
mer months in the making of layettes
and assuming the knitting packets.
In the educational program, our cha pter
has not been SO responsive, but at the last
meeting of our executive committee the
great question OF the public health and