We join in celebrating the area chapter of the American Red Cross, which began celebrating its centennial Wednesday and will continue into 2017.
Dave Griffith, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri, said although the organization's efforts are publicized primarily in response to disasters - fires, flooding, tornadoes - Red Cross volunteers work around the clock to help people in need.
That continuity of care is reflected in the centennial theme - "Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone."
And the theme mirrors the work of founder Clara Barton, a nurse who cared for Civil War soldiers wounded during combat. Barton and a cadre of nurses worked with both Union and Confederate commanders to remove injured soldiers from battlefields and treat them, according to Griffith. Two decades later, in 1881, Barton officially formed the Red Cross.
To celebrate the centennial, the area chapter in the coming year is planning a number of events, including an art contest, fashion show, its annual Heroes Dinner and a golf tournament.
And to display its history, Griffith invites the public to share any Red Cross items. "It's an exciting time for us, and we welcome the public's input with memorabilia, keepsakes, newspaper articles, anything Red Cross," Griffith said.
Loaned memorabilia may be dropped off at the Red Cross office, 431 E. McCarty St. Items will be displayed throughout 2017 and will be returned to their owners at the end of the year.
The area chapter serves 29 counties, including Cole, and has 502 registered volunteers.
Among those volunteers is Carlos Graham, chairman of the area board of directors, who said: "Just think about it for a moment - 100 years, 100 years. A lot of things have happened in that 100-year period. But one thing has stayed the same, and that is the purpose of the American Red Cross."
Added Mark Schreiber, co-chairman of the centennial committee, the Red Cross is dedicated to "help anyone and serve anyone in need. And that's the wonderful thing about the organization. And let's hope we can continue for another 100 years and another 100 years after that."
Red Cross volunteers represent the best of our nation - a commitment to help anyone, anywhere at any time a need arises.
That tradition deserves to be celebrated and continued.