By: Judith Gallagher

Like all Southern ladies, the building that houses the East Texas Red Cross office was aging gracefully but aging, nonetheless. So, after 40 years, the space at 320 E Rieck Road was renovated, and on September 27, the community was invited to celebrate its reopening.

The all-day event started with a blood drive at 10:30 a.m., and public servants like Kaitlin Roberson and Terry Linder, deputy fire marshals for Smith County, stepped up to donate. Kaitlin said, “Anytime I can donate blood, I do. I have donated for a long time.”  Linder shared that he chooses to give blood to give back to the community.

At 11:30 a.m., a Tyler Area Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony welcomed guests, including Tyler Mayor Don Warren and Smith County Judge Neal Franklin. Dozens of Red Crossers from across the region joined the festivities, including local board members, volunteers Bill Loof, Ricky Baker and Diana Buckley, as well as the East Texas Chapter Executive Director Karen Holt and North Texas Regional CEO Linda Braddy.

Throughout the event, guests could connect with Red Cross staff and volunteers. Community members could explore all lines of service – including Disaster Cycle Services, Biomedical Services, Service to the Armed Forces, Training Services and International Services. Guests also participated in hands-on CPR and “Be Red Cross Ready” training, taught by East Texas Community Disaster Program Managers Megan Lykins and Sarah Jeter, equipping participants with life-saving skills and essential knowledge for emergencies.

“The current renovation will allow us to continue the great work we do here in this community, build stronger partnerships, provide life-saving services and programs, be the largest provider of life-saving blood, and be there in times of disaster for our neighbors,” said Holt. “The Red Cross East Texas Chapter is deeply grateful to everyone in the community who came out to celebrate this milestone. Your support means so much and truly reflects the strength of our community.”

As we close out 2024, we wish you a safe and healthy holiday season. We invite you to explore more milestones we’ve achieved together and help us continue our humanitarian work in the East Texas Chapter and beyond in the new year.

Brief History of the East Texas Chapter Office

The Smith County Chapter of the American Red Cross was formed in January of 1917 at the height of World War I, as many Red Cross Chapters did across the country to support and serve our great men and women of the United States Armed Forces. In Tyler, the chapter was formed by a handful of great ladies who met weekly in the Carnegie Public Library building to knit socks and sweaters for our troops and roll bandages for orphans in Belgium. The local chapter grew and expanded services to become an integral part of serving this community in times of need through World War II and increased local response to disasters such as home fires and tornados.