“Million Members by Christmas” Red Cross Drive, December 1917.

“Million Members by Christmas” Red Cross Drive, December 1917.

Timeline

Tuesday, December 18, 1917, the Michigan Daily reported that one thousand men and women had pledged membership to the Red Cross after a meeting held in Hill Auditorium on Sunday, December 16. One of the speakers at the meeting, Duncan Clark- writer of the Chicago Evening Post, lauded the A.R.C., stating: “the Red Cross offers to every one of the opportunity to do his or her share in this great struggle, and enables all to do their duty.” Saturday, January 5, the Daily reported that the response to the drive in Washtenaw county was exceptional. The initial reports indicated 10,800 new members, and the final number was estimated to be 11,200- 3,000 over Washtenaw County’s given quota. This mass showing of support shows the importance of community involvement to those living on the homefront during the war, and the immense social pressure that was put on ordinary citizens to contribute to the war effort. With town members volunteering in droves, it is clear that relief organizations claimed a large percentage of the attention of Ann Arbor residents.

“1000 Join Red Cross At Patriotic Meeting.” Michigan Daily, December 18, 1917.
“Red Cross Ends Successful Drive.”Michigan Daily, January 5, 1918.
(Photo: http://www.loc.gov/item/00652154/)

1917-12-14