The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1939-10-26
GIVES FACTS ON
RED CROSS WORK
Tells Of Disaster Relief
And Other Functions
Of Organization

Confronted with the great
est number of disasters striking
IN any 12-month period of its
history, the American Red Cross
during the past year provided
emergency relief and rehabili-
tation to 100, o. persons at the
scene of 157 catastrophes, &C
cording to a statement issued
yesterday by Stanley A. Yergey,
chairman Of the Big Horn
County Red Cross chapter.
The alarming rise in disas-
tiers, Mr.. .Yergey pointed out,
represented a figure approx
mately so per cent higher than
the average frequency recorded
since 1881 when the Red Cross
was founded in this country.
Relief operations in the past
year carried the Red Cross en-
blem into virtually every state
in the Union.
although the types of dis
aster varied" the local chair
man pointed out, "the result
in most cases was the same.
Following the emergency period
of rescue, mass feeding and
housing, Red Cross workers saw
in the wake of nearly every dis
aSter disheartened families
viewing their homes in ruins,
their clothing and essential
household goods destroyed or
damaged beyond repair and the
uncertainties to how they
were to re-establish themselves.
"And despite the fact that
last years disasters occurred al
most every other day, the vast
army of Red Cross volunteers
and trained experts were able
to materially assist every fam
lily unable to bear its burden
without outside help"
Mr.. Yergey explained that
Red Cross disaster relief falls
into two distinct parts. The first
responsibility is that of saving
lives, giving medical attention in
addition to housing and feeding
the homeless. AS soon as the
emergency passes, he said, the
long and careful task of re-
Mobilization begins. Family re-
lief workers with years of ex-
perience are pushed to the
scene from nearby sections to
analyze individually the needs
of each family. With the help
of a committee composed OF
leding local citizens grants are
made for the rebuilding of
homes and the purchase of es-
Sential household goods and
clothing.
In the $500 chapters, To-
Gated in early every community
in the country, Mr.. Yergey de-
clared, committees are con-
stanty preparing themselves for
disaster. Men and women are
being trained on the time-teSt-
ed methods of disaster relief
that some day may be instru-
mental in relieving human SUI
tering in their community or
some nearby section.
Last years experience en-
phasized the need for a strong
program of preparedness" Mr..
Yergey stressed. The unexpect-
ed hurricane which struck raw
ishingly into the heart of New
England, the floods in Texas
ana the tornado in Anoka and
Hennepin counties, Minnesota,
all carried a grim warning that
no section of the country Is i'm
mune to catastrophe.
dependent solely on the will
ingneSs of the public to alleviate
suffering, the Red Gross this
year is appealing to the nation
Tor a million more members to
expand its various services and
to stand ready for those I'M
practicable days ahead when
disaster is destined to trike. I
a confident that when this
years Roll Call is held in Big
Horn county, our community
will re-pledge confidence in the
Red Cross with its share OF
new members"