The Red Cross Movement was conceived by Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman, in 1859.   When seeing the aftermath of a devastating battle, with 40,000 wounded and dead soldiers and no one to help them, he began organizing medical care for the wounded.  This was only the beginning.  He went on to receive the first Nobel Peace Prize for his work and dedication to the cause. 

Seeing what an organization like the Red Cross can offer the world, a nurse named Clara Barton, established the American Red Cross to aid and relief for civilians as well as military personnel in our nation.  The Red Cross has continued to grow to become the the biggest entity in the world for disaster and war relief.

In 2002, over 1.2 million people volunteered for the American Red Cross.  You can go to their website http://www.volunteermatch.org to find out how you can volunteer.

The American Red Cross is there to help in all emergency situations.  Natural disasters and man-made disasters can be devastating to a large sum of people when they occur, but the American Red Cross is there for what seem to be the small disasters also.  Just because the disaster did not effect 1000 people or more doesn't make it less devastating the vicitims having to go through it.  The American Red Cross is there for everyone in need.

The American Red Cross provides disaster recovery services, preparedness training, CPR training, HIV/AIDS education, blood mobiles, fund raising, International Humanitarian Law education, tracing, message and reunion services just to name a few.  If you or someone you know are in need you can contact the American Red Cross for help.  Their contact info is:  http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767 or 1-800-257-7575 (Español)