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Hilary Greene, Executive Director of Cape, Islands and Southeast Mass Red Cross, and Ralph Boyd, CEO of American Red Cross Massachusetts, speak at the Hyannis chapter’s centennial celebration.
HYANNIS – The Red Cross was founded in 1881, but the local Cape, Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts chapter on Saturday celebrated its 100th year since Mary Ethel Young gathered volunteers in her living room in 1915.
A birthday party was held at the Hyannis chapter house and featured a speech from US Congressman William Keating.
According to Executive Director Hilary Greene, ever since Young started the Red Cross in her Harwich home in 1915, the organization has played an important role in the community.
“No matter how big my chapter gets, it’s still local people who respond to the fires, teach the classes, volunteer in the office—it’s all local,” Greene said. “So we’re practically a grass-roots organization for such a big organization.”
The Cape, Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the Red Cross celebrated its Centennial year Saturday in Hyannis.
The celebration was also an opportunity for the chapter to raise funds, according to Greene. Unlike a government agency, the chapter receives no federal funding and must therefore rely on donations to continue operating.
As for the future, Greene said she is confidant the community which has supported the Red Cross for so long will continue to do so.
“We’re going to be celebrating all week, and we want people to come down to the chapter house and see all of our history. With volunteers and donations of money, time and treasure, we expect to be doing what we’re doing for a very long time,” Greene said.
