The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

A voluntary board of directors and paid management team provide leadership for carrying out the work of the Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin. Chapter management consists of a team of officers and program directors. Patty Flowers, who serves as chief executive officer, provides overall leadership to the chapter.

The Board of Directors is the governing body for the organization and is composed of representatives from many different community sectors. This group develops the vision for the chapter and determines the policies that guide the chapter’s decisions. The Board of Directors ensures that the chapter is an effective steward of our donor’s contributions.

Through donations to the chapter, local individuals and corporate citizens make it possible for Red Cross to provide relief in times of disaster and help our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

These lists are updated regularly. To make a donation and join this elite group of donors, visit our donate now page or call 414-342-8680.

For a copy of our Annual Report, please contact us. We will be happy to send you a copy.

Download Financial Statement 2010

Internships

Internships at the American Red Cross offer students an invaluable opportunity to learn in a real-world setting and to gain experience in their chosen field of study. Internships also offer students a unique inside perspective of the American Red Cross, its functions, and its operations. The Red Cross offers a unique opportunity for those students looking to gain valuable career experience as well as life experience.

Internships are offered in various departments and are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Volunteer Positions

Each year hundreds of people from southeastern Wisconsin serve as Red Cross volunteers. With their help, time and commitment, the Red Cross is able to help people in emergencies, teach first aid and CPR courses, deliver emergency messages to members of the military, organize programs for the elderly and youth and much more. Red Cross volunteers work directly with people;provide behind-the-scenes support.

Be a Red Cross volunteer! Helping others feels good and helps you feel good about yourself. Your local Red Cross can work with you to provide rewarding experiences, opportunities to utilize your talents, or provide training to help you serve your community.

Paid Staff

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin offers part-time and full-time paid staff positions in the following areas:

• Administration
• Public Support
• Disaster Services
• Educational Services
• General Services

The Milwaukee Chapter of the American Red Cross was established in 1916. However, the Red Cross was a presence in Milwaukee since before the 1900's. Called the Red Cross Society of Wisconsin, the organization sponsored a concert for returning veterans and furnished nurses as volunteers of the Fourth Wisconsin Regiment during their training encampment in 1898.

It was in the spring of 1916 when the Milwaukee Chapter was formally established at a meeting in the Red Room of the Pfister Hotel. A committee was named to draw up by-laws, and a nominating committee was chosen to establish the Milwaukee Chapter. On May 22, the first organizational meeting was held. Frank M. Hoyt was named chairman. The executive committee included J. H. Puelicher, E. E. White, F. R. Brown, E. R. Wagner, F. C. Morehouse, A. C. Eschweiler and W. W. Coleman. On June 29, 1916, the Central Committee of the Red Cross officially recognized the Milwaukee Chapter. Its first offices were donated by the First Wisconsin National Bank and were located in the bank's office building.

The fledgling chapter was immediately presented with two major fund-raising tasks. Within the chapter's first year of existence, $60,000 was raised for the relief of dependent families of Wisconsin National Guardsmen, who were sent to the Mexican border. In addition, $75,000 was raised to provide equipment for an Army base hospital. The hospital's needs included three ambulances, which cost $2,000 to $2,500 each. Even though the U.S. hadn't gone to war yet, the chapter went ahead and raised the needed funds.

Read more...