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Red Cross chapters were first
chartered in Cherokee, Spartanburg, and Union counties in 1917. The initial
chartered obligations of Red Cross units assigned by Congress remains unchanged.
They are
- Provide disaster relief
and prevention
- Serve as the official
channel of communications between the people of the United States and the
men and women serving in the Armed Forces.
First Aid and Water Safety
Programs were initiated about this time. The American Red Cross founded Blood
Services during World War II. The Hospital Volunteer Program was begun in
Spartanburg in the 1950s. In 1970, the Red Cross began CPR training for the
general public. HIV Education was added in 1988 to educate the public against
the spread of AIDS. Community Disaster Education was initiated in 1992 in an
effort to reduce the number of single-family fires. The popular Keeping Seniors
Safer Educational training began in Spartanburg in 1995. To provide better
service to the respective communities the Union County Chapter and the
Spartanburg County Chapters merged in 1980 to form the Piedmont Chapter.
Cherokee County was added in 2002.
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