AMERICAN RED CROSS-NUTLEY CHAPTER

MRS. MAUDE WILLIAMS

IN PART, what follows represents activities through the years at Nutley Headquarters where the Red Cross flag flies.

For the first twenty-three years our Red Cross volunteers lacked a Chapter House. Executive Board meetings were held at the homes of the chairmen or board members. Upon occasions, town spots such as the Woman’s Clubhouse on Chestnut Street were graciously made available for Red Cross use.

In 1940, a store in the Ciccone Building at 142 Chestnut Street was rented to give needed accommodations for Chapter work.

Again in 1942, larger quarters for expansion were necessary and a rental was obtained for our present headquarters at 393 Franklin Avenue.

Now, late in 1960, the Building Committee is about to break ground for a new “bigger and better” Chapter House at 169 Chestnut Street.

As long ago as 1894, Nutley citizens were Red Cross volunteers in the American tradition of neighbor helping neighbor. A town wide circus was organized by writer, Henry C. Bunner. The big feature was Annie Oakley, “Little Sure Shot.” She served well as the box office booster.

Part of the fund raised went for the endowment of a bed in St. Barnabas Hospital in Newark.

In 1917, Nutley answered the call of the First World War Emergency under the leadership of Colonel H. G. Prout of Stockton Place and became permanently affiliated with American Red Cross work. Our Charter is dated April 14, 1917.

Thus, we became a member of a National voluntary organization under the Congress of the United States and directed by a board, broadly representative of the people and government. The President of the United States is its Honorary President.

American Red Cross under certain international treaties, serves, with eighty-three other Red Cross societies to conduct an international relief program around the world. One flag symbolizes the work of helping mankind in need, irrespective of national, religious or racial differences.

American Red Cross service programs give needed assistance in the prevention and alleviation of suffering caused by family, community, national and international emergencies due to natural and man made causes. This assistance is followed by help toward the restoring of normal living.

The ten voluntary services carried on in American Red Cross chapters do not all function in chapter houses but mostly in innumerable places at home and abroad as well as with local organizations such as churches, civic groups, industries, businesses and individual citizens.

Our record gives evidence to the local interest and support.

The Executive Chairmen, 1917 to 1960 are: Colonel H. G. Prout, 1917-19; Mr. George A. Hill, 1920-24; Mr. Harry Coughlan, 1925-27; Mr. Allan P. Ames, 1927-45; Mr. Frank G. Simmons, 1945-58; Mr. Richard E. Reade, 1958-. The late Mrs. Emil Miller was a member of the Executive Board from 1917 until the time of her death in 1959. For the last 32 years she served as Vice-Chairman.

In 1960 the Executive Board of the Chapter consists of: Mr. Richard E. Reade, Chairman, 1958-; Mr. August Brauer, Vice­Chairman, 1959-; Mr. Archie C. Barbata, Treasurer, 1937-; Mrs. Al Steyermark, Secretary, 1953-; Mr. Norman Young, Disaster Services, 1957-; Mrs. Ralph Lockwood, Home Service, 1959-; Mrs. David Jackman, 1953-, and Mrs. Clarence Sturtevant, 1953-, co-Chairmen of Blood Bank; Mr. David Jackman, Finance, 1945-; Mr. Charles Hammond, Property, 1937-; Mrs. S. E. Goodman, Canteen, 1959-; Mrs. Frank Kearney, Vice­Chairman Canteen, 1959-; Mrs. Charles Frost, Production, 1942- 60; Mrs. Walter Jay, Production, 1960-; Mr. Benjamin Appel, Legal Counsel, 1955-; Dr. N. T. Lambert, First Aid, 1952-; Mrs. Maude Williams, Gray Ladies, 1960-; Mrs. Benjamin X. Pinckney, Staff Aides, 1946-; Mrs. W. H. Wichelns, Nurses Aides, 1956-; Mrs. Max Perlman, Nursing Services, 1959-; Mrs. F. L. Stout, Veterans Administration Hospital Council, 1959-; Miss Virginia McCorristin, Jr. Red Cross, 1959-; Mr. Robert W. Bain, Public Relations, 1960-; Mrs. Philip Gots, Chairman of Volunteers, 1959-.

Mrs. Clyde L. Chatham was appointed Executive Director of the Chapter in 1946.