The Red Cross Society was founded by Swiss citizen Henri Dunant in 1863. A Canadian branch was formed in 1896, but was not officially recognized as an independent national society until 1927. It is a non-profit , humanitarian organization dedicated to helping Canadians and the victims of conflicts and disasters throughout the world.
The Moose Jaw Canadian Red Cross Society was formed in 1914. The first executive elected were Mr. L.G. Knowles, Member of Parliament, honorary chairman; Mr. H. Dorrell, chairman; Mrs. Spotton, 1st vice-chairman, Dr. McCulloch, 2nd vice-chairman, Mrs. F. Simpson, secretary, Mr. L. Grayson, treasurer. At first the Moose Jaw Red Cross was occupied in making clothing for service men and war victims. Work on behalf of refugees began in 1918. In 1919 the charter was changed to allow for peace time work. During the Depression the local Red Cross was very active in aiding families on relief with clothing, household items, medical supplies and eye glasses and whatever else they were able to help with.
Local volunteers ran blood donor clinics during the Second World War. After the War, all the equipment was sold, but blood clinics resumed again in the early 1950's. Blood was made available at no cost to hospital patients. In 1998 the Canadian Blood Services replaced the Red Cross as the sole blood collector.
As well as supplies and monetary support to disaster victims at home and abroad, the Red Cross made hospital dressings for the local hospitals and produced special garments to promote human dignity for the elderly and infirm. A sickroom equipment lending program was available which included the lending of wheelchairs, walkers, canes and commodes. This program was taken over by the Victorian Order of Nurses when the Moose Jaw Red Cross office closed in 1991. Other services that were sponsored and supported by the Red Cross were first-aid, water safety, baby-sitting courses and a bicycle safety program. These programs were taken over by other groups.
Local aid was administered after the plane crash over northeast Moose Jaw in 1954, the floods of 1948, 1955 and 1974, and the 1980 Gulf Oil refinery fire.
The office of the Moose Jaw Red Cross closed in 1991. The local coordinator, Janice Lorge then conducted the business of the Red Cross out of her home as a volunteer until 1992.
Many of the programs and services of the Red Cross continue to operate