1916

The Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross was formally chartered on July 7. The first chairperson for the Board of Directors was Mrs. Cornell Walbridge and the Chapter's first headquarters were located in the Spitzer Building in downtown Toledo.
 

1917

The Red Cross taught its first Home Nursing and First Aid classes in Toledo. During the year, 640 Toledoans were trained in Home Nursing and 285 were certified in First Aid. On June 13, the Wood County Chapter of the American Red Cross was formally chartered and on July 23 the Ottawa County Chapter was chartered.
 

1920

A Disaster Committee was formed in July to provide help for those affected by a tornado that hit Toledo.
 

1923

The Junior Red Cross was established in the Toledo Public Schools in September. The students involved made gifts for people in military hospitals and sent friendship items to foreign countries.
 

1926

The Red Cross High School Youth Council, a forerunner of today's youth council, was started in December.
 

1940

On July 14, the Toledo Chapter moved to its own building at 2005 Collingwood Boulevard.
 

1956

The Wood County Chapter moved into its own building on Gorrell Avenue in Bowling Green and has been providing services continuously to Wood County from this location.

1957

The Greater Toledo Blood Center, operated jointly by the Toledo Red Cross and the Toledo and Lucas County Academy of Medicine, opened in January, making it the fiftieth Red Cross regional blood center to open.
 

1960

The Red Cross and the and United Way of Greater Toledo became community partners.
 

1968

Following a voluntary decision by both boards of governors, the Wood County Chapter merged with the Greater Toledo Area Chapter.
 

1972

The chapter bought a building from the Jewish Community Center at 2275 Collingwood Boulevard
 

1981

The Greater Toledo Area Chapter assisted in the recovery after tornados and flooding in June. The Chapter provided shelter, food, water, and clothing to those who lost their homes and it also helped with the clean up efforts.
 

1990

The Chapter provided 975 people with shelter, food, water, and clothing after a snow storm destroyed over 300 homes in February.
 

2001

The Red Cross moved its headquarters to 3100 W. Central Avenue in Toledo on September 10. On September 11, the tragic terrorist attacks occurred, ushering in a time of unprecedented generosity. The Greater Toledo Area Chapter collected over $2 million and sent 12 trained disaster workers to New York City and Pennsylvania to help in relief efforts.
 

2002

The Red Cross introduces "Together We Prepare" to help people be ready for any type of emergency.
 

2004

The Chapter sends 13 volunteers south after four hurricanes hit Florida.
 

2005

Today the Red Cross offers disaster assistance, community disaster education, first aid and CPR training, lifeguard training, babysitter classes, HIV/AIDS education, youth leadership activities, volunteer opportunities, Telecare (a telephone reassurance program for older adults living alone in our community), and more.
 

2006

The Chapter was named one of 80 of the best-performing chapters in the United States by the national American Red Cross.