American Red Cross
Mid-Missouri Chapter
1805 West Worley St.
Columbia, MO 65203
573-445-9411 (phone)
800-359-8829
573-446-4247 (fax)

 


American Red Cross renames Boone County Chapter as Mid-Missouri Chapter

New name more accurately reflects the chapter’s recent growth. The chapter has been serving seven Mid-Missouri counties for many years – and is looking toward more growth.

August 31, 2007 – For the majority of the 90 years since the American Red Cross Boone County Chapter was established in Columbia in 1917, the chapter’s name was an accurate reflection of the geographic area the chapter served.

Not any longer. Over the last four years, the Boone County Chapter’s geographic jurisdiction has grown to cover six additional counties in Mid-Missouri – now including the counties of Cooper, Howard, Randolph, Saline, Chariton and Carroll in addition to Boone County. 

Because of that growth, the American Red Cross decided to update the chapter’s name – renaming it as the Mid-Missouri Chapter. The new name became official in August, and the chapter is transitioning to that new name now.

“The previous chapter name caused many people to incorrectly assume we only served the people of Boone County,” said Mike Odneal, the chapter’s executive director. “But that’s simply not the case – because we’ve been serving seven mid-Missouri counties for many years.”

“The new Mid-Missouri name will make more people realize that our chapter can help provide Red Cross services to citizens of other mid-Missouri counties in addition to Boone County,” added Odneal.

Odneal explained that the Mid-Missouri Chapter’s primary responsibilities in its 7-county coverage area includes disaster relief (including single family fires as well as floods, tornados, etc.), a wide variety of health and safety training classes (like first aid and CPR training), and emergency assistance for members of the military and their families.

“The Red Cross wants to make sure our chapter name makes more people realize we’re here to help them during times of emergencies. We’re also here to help Mid-Missourians prepare for emergencies, too -- with Red Cross training in areas such as first aid, CPR, water safety, and similar health and safety classes” said Odneal.

Additionally, for people living in counties outside the Mid-Missouri Chapter’s geographic area, the chapter still provides assistance -- with referrals to other Red Cross chapters serving other regions. Red Cross blood drives are not handled directly by the chapter, but rather by the Red Cross Blood Services unit – which has offices in a separate location in Columbia near the University of Missouri campus.

Apparently, the growth of the Mid-Missouri Chapter over the last four years has caused more than just the need for a name change. This growth trend has also caused Odneal and the chapter’s Board of Directors to begin seeking new office space options for the Mid-Missouri Chapter.

“We’re simply outgrowing the space in our current chapter offices in Columbia,” said Columbia Fire Chief Dean Martin, who is also a member of the chapter’s Board of Directors and the chairman of its Facilities Committee. “Our chapter is actively seeking options and opportunities for other office space in Columbia – preferably from a kind and generous organization or businessperson who would like to benefit from having the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross as a tenant.”

For more information:
On the Web: www.redcross-midmo.org
Via Phone: (573) 445-9411 or toll-free (800) 359-8829

 
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The Mid-Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the residents of 7 mid-Missouri counties: Boone, Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Randolph and Saline.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.