1916-1942

Established in 1916, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles began operating from its first headquarters on South Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Volunteers immediately plunged into WWI relief and recovery activities until the 1930s, when its growth began to slow. Then along came WWII, and the chapter began serving at home and abroad with 15,000 new volunteers.

1942-1955

Wartime activities continued until after the end of WWII, then the chapter concentrated on building the blood donation program established during the war. As the 1950s began, volunteers turned to providing other services, such as first aid, water safety, nursing and health, youth leadership training and continued services for military families.

1957-1975

During the 1960s and 1970s, the chapter responded to the Vietnam War, helping families communicate with their loved ones in the military and providing assistance. The Fall of Saigon in 1975 resulted in the chapter becoming heavily involved in refugee assistance, while continuing to support the regular activities and responding to the 1971 San Fernando Valley Earthquake.

1976-1992

Because Southern California is such a disaster-prone area, a week-long disaster training institute was established to increase the number of volunteers who could assist. They were kept busy responding to single family and apartment fires on an almost daily basis as well as the 1987 Southern California Earthquake and the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. At this time, the chapter became heavily involved in international disasters such as the Ethiopian Famine in 1984.

1993-2009

With the coming of the new century, the chapter again entered a wartime mode to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. Volunteers rushed to aid victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the Southeast Asian Earthquake and Tsunami. At home, they were called to devastating wildfires that left hundreds homeless and in need of the caring assistance of the American Red Cross.