Evening star., 1940-03-22
Red Cross Chapter
To Observe 35th
Anniversary Monday
D. 6. Unit Is Praised
By Miss bourdmun
As Model

on Monday will observe the 35th
anniversary of its founding, yester-
day was praised as model chap
ter by Miss Mabel T. Boardman,
secretary of the American National
Red Cross and director of its volun-
teer services.
Miss Boardman attended the
chapter organizers first meeting,
held in the home Of her father, the
late William J. Boardman, 1901 P
street NV. The date was March
25, 1905. Miss Boardman, who still
resides at the P street address, be-
came associated with the chapters s
governing body not long after it was
organized and is now it's vice chair
man.
Praising the chapter yesterday in
her Office at the Red Cross national
headquarters, in the presence of
Brig. Gen. Frank r. Keefer, u S. A.,
retired, the chapters chairman, and
Mrs. Merton B. Tice, vice chairman
of the chapters Public Relations
Committee, Miss Boardman de-
| clared:
Il think the chapter here has
been a model chapter. 1t has al
ways carried through every request
| from headquarters. 1t has raised
any funds or supplies requested of
it." Miss Boardman added she
didn't think the chapter can fail
to grow because it has such a hold
on the people. 1t always does things
in the right way"
Need of Training Cited.
Looking further toward the fu-
| ture, Miss Boardman emphasized
the importance of training nurses
aides, one of the chapters impor-
tant undertakings.
Gen. Keefer said that in 1906, the
year after the local chapter was
| organized, the whole membership OF
| the Red Cross in the United States
was only 1907. while now the Dis
trict chapter alone has more than
10000 members.
In pointing to the chapters many
| accomplishments, its officials recall
| that the first classes conducted in
this country in home hygiene and
care of the sick were by the District
chapter in 1908. This work now has
spread all over the country.
In 1908 the chapter first began
its lectures in first-aid work. Last
year 153 first-aid classes were held
and 2,947 certificates presented to
those who qualified. Last year also
IA classes were held in life saving
and water safety and 12,130 persons
were given elementary instruction
in swimming, all under direction of
the chapter
From 81 organizers in 1905 the
chapter has grown to 1902 VOL
unteer workers.
The chapters first officers were
John B. Henderson, jr, president;
Mrs Blair Lee. vice president;
Comdr. F. A. Miller, treasurer, and
DR.. Cyrus Adler, secretary.
"Home Service" Continued.
During the World War and the
years following, home service" re-
quired much work from the chapter
1t is continuing this service, carry
ing forward American Red Cross
service to former service men as
well as to men in peacetime military
service and their families All types
of social work and financial aid in
some cases are included in this
service.
Staff assistance corps activities,
started in the District chapter sew
eral years ago. have spread over
the country. Under this heading
there is clerical work, library serv-
ice. translating and public relations
work.
One of the chapters oldest activ-
tiles, that of making clothing and
surgical dressings to meet all types
of emergencies and for local dis
tribution, comes under the heading
of production"
The chapters Braille work in
cludes making complete books for
the blind. Other activities include
work of the Canteen Corps, Motor
Corps, Hospital and Recreation
Corps.