1942

At the request of the military, the chapter began offering first aid and water safety training for U.S. troops. All branches of service participated.

1940s

Southern Californians feared enemy attack because of their location on the west coast. As a result, the chapter increased its first aid training and also taught home nursing courses meant to prepare residents to care for civilian wounded in case of such an attack.

1943

A new Red Cross program, Arts and Skills, brought artists and craftsmen to military hos-pitals where they taught weav-ing, ceramics and painting to patients as part of their recov-ery therapy programs.

1940s

The Motor Corps logged 15,000 miles a month to assist the Blood Program, transport-ing volunteers to collection sites and delivering blood to Veteran Administration hospi-tals. They also continued to drive for other chapter activi-ties.

1940s

Public support of the chapter during World War II was out-standing, as fund campaigns routinely exceeded their goal. The film industry made special films in support of the Red Cross, and many stars ap-peared at fund raising rallies on behalf of the organization. Individuals, workers, students, businesses and others raised funds through various events and activities.

1945

At the wars end, the chapter began to turn its attention to post-war activities. Nurses and nurses aides met some 2,000 civilian internees liberated from Japanese camps in the Philippines and Australian war brides and their children as they debarked from ships in San Pedro.

1945

Chapter volunteers also greeted thousands of soldiers and Marines returning from duty in the South Pacific with coffee, doughnuts, candy and a Welcome Home.

1940s

Emergency first aid stations were established by the chapter on the highways of Southern California and training was provided for those who lived or worked at those locations.

19451946

On September 15, 1945, the chapters Blood Program was closed after collecting more than one million units of blood for the war wounded. At the urging of the medical commu-nity, the chapter reopened the program on February 6, 1946 to provide blood and blood medicines for the civilian popu-lation. It was the first civilian blood program in the Ameri-can Red Cross, although the national organization did not immediately recognize it as such.

1946

A donor center was established at 835 S. Spring Street, and collections began for the Los Angeles County General Hos-pital. In the first year, the pro-gram collected 15,000 pints of blood.

1946

To help run the operation and meet medical standards, two doctor brothers, Eugene and William Adashek, joined the Blood Program on a temporary basis. Dr. Eugene served as medical director, Dr. William as associate director. They retired 30 years later.

Dr. Eugene Adashek

Dr. William Adashek

1947

The blood donor center was moved back to its original home at 925 S. Western Ave-nue. Relationships were forged with other organizations to bring in donors.

1948

Day-to-day operations of the Blood Program required an administrator, and Ed Schottland joined the staff in 1948 as the first executive, re-tiring 28 years later.

1948

William T. Sesnon, who as chapter chairman had volun-teered to oversee the Blood Program throughout the war era, was elected vice chairman of the American Red Cross Na-tional Board of Governors, the first person from the West Coast to be named to the na-tional board.

1948

To encourage volunteering by young people, the chapter es-tablished the Leadership De-velopment Center, a summer camp for junior high and high school students. Over the years, the camp length varied from one to two weeks, but the agenda remained the sameto teach young people leadership skills and direct them toward the rewarding experience of providing community service. The center continues today.

1949

After responding to increased demands for first aid training during World War II, the chapter had many first aiders who put their skills to use as members of a Rescue Unit. In-jured skiers were among those they aided.

1950

To make room for the rapidly expanding Blood Program, the chapter began construction of a new Blood Center at 1130 Vermont Avenue, adjacent to the chapter headquarters. Construction was completed in 1951, and the Blood Program had a new home.

1950

With the outbreak of the Ko-rean War in June, the chapter launched an expanded Blood Program because the Red Cross had been named by the federal government as the co-ordinating agency for the col-lection of blood for the military forces and civilian defense.

1952

The chapters Junior Red Cross began to flourish with participation of young people from area schools and the com-munities. The college program also grew, with 22 colleges and universities represented.

1952

In July, the chapter provided mutual assistance for the 7.3 magnitude Tehachapi Earth-quake that killed 12 people and was the largest quake in Southern California in dec-ades. Disaster workers were called to assist with sheltering, feeding and health services in Kern County.