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.

Description:
American Red Cross Blood Services is dedicated to providing safe blood and blood products to those in need. The need for blood never ceases. Staff work around the clock to ensure this need is met. Volunteers assist at blood drives at the Red Cross Center and on-site drives in the community. Over 5 million volunteer blood donations are made to the organization each year, making the Red Cross the nation's largest supplier of blood.

History:
Blood collection by the Red Cross began in 1941 as a volunteer program to provide blood for American and British troops in World War II. The public response was enthusiastic and, after the war, the Red Cross continued to collect blood for civilian domestic use.

Contact people:

Joyce Loveland, Volunteer Recruitment Rep., (208) 429-5837, (email) Shana Horvath, Administrative Assistant, (208) 429-5833, (email)

Office fax number: (208) 344-0509

Address:

5380 Franklin Road Boise, ID 83705 (See a map)

Web Site: http://americanredcross.org

Directions:

One block west of Orchard on Franklin Road on the corner of Franklin Road and Phillippi.