Mission Statement
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its congressional charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement.

Illinois Capital Area Chapter
The American Red Cross, Illinois Capital Area Chapter is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers that focuses on providing disaster response and assistance to victims of disaster in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Montgomery, Menard, Coles and Clark counties.

In addition to disaster relief, the American Red Cross, Illinois Capital Area Chapter provides Community Disaster Education, Health & Safety Training, Armed Forces Emergency Services and a senior meal delivery program. Founded on October 15, 1917 as the local affiliate of the American National Red Cross, the Illinois Capital Area Chapter is guided by its 18 member Board

of Directors in its mission of helping Central Illinois prevent, prepare for and respond to personal and community emergencies.

Since the turn of the century, the Red Cross has been proud to serve as Central Illinois’ most crucial non-governmental provider of disaster assistance. When crisis and hardship strike individuals and families in our community, the American Red Cross is there with leadership, support, and direct assistance.

Jurisdictional Coverage Area
The American Red Cross Illinois Capital Area Chapter provides service within the following counties:

Sangamon
Christian
Logan
Menard
Montgomery
Macoupin

Coles

Clark

National Red Cross
Clara Barton and a circle of acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. Barton first heard of the Swiss-inspired International Red Cross Movement while visiting Europe following the Civil War. Returning home, she campaigned for an American Red Cross society and for ratification of the Geneva Convention protecting the war-injured, which the United States ratified in 1882.

Barton headed the Red Cross for 23 years, during which time it conducted its first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts, aided the United States military during the Spanish-American War, and campaigned successfully for the inclusion of peacetime relief work as part of the International Red Cross Movement.

The Red Cross received its first congressional charter in 1900 and a second in 1905, the year after Barton resigned from the organization. This charter–which remains in effect today–sets forth the purposes of the organization that include giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation.
For more information about the International Red Cross/Red Crescent, visit redcross.org

International Red Cross/ Red Crescent
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian network, with a presence and activities in almost every country.

The Movement incorporates the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International Federation), as well as National Societies in 178 countries.

With a vibrant and varied history, from its birth in the aftermath of battle in 1859 and the vision of founder Henry Dunant and four other men, through two world wars and up to today, the Movement is widely acknowledged as an unstoppable force for help and compassion.

The Fundamental Principles of The International Red Cross Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality: It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality: In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence: The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary Service: It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity: There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

For more information about the International Red Cross/Red Crescent, visit redcross.int