The Pantagraph reported on this date 100 years ago that a local Red Cross organization was just starting to be formed in Bloomington. Several meetings had been held beginning in June, but a full board had not yet been formed, although Frank D. Marquis had accepted the position of treasurer. December 6th the selection of Campbell Holton as president and Alice Smith as Secretary was announced.
President Wilson had recently issued a call for Americans to support those imperilled by the European war by donating to the Red Cross. In July the American Red Cross had announced that it would be forced to withdraw from the battlefields of Europe by October 1st for lack of funds. In late November the Red Cross had still not withdrawn and was asking for further donations and support.
In explaining the organization, the Pantagraph stated that at the state level, the governor of the state is the head of the Red Cross state chapter. Although the Women's Club first suggested that a local Red Cross chapter was necessary, the men's Civic League took over the efforts almost immediately.