Tri-County Red Cross History and Mission

The Tri-County Chapter, established in 1917, has administrative offices in Plainfield and a Disaster Command Center in Elizabeth. The Chapter provides programs and services to the residents of 22 towns covering three counties. The Disaster Command Center, dedicated in April of 2005, is a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically to suit the needs of the American Red Cross. Each room serves multiple functions: a classroom used to teach First Aid and CPR can transition quickly into a multi-media center for a Community Preparedness presentation, and then to a Disaster Command Center within 20 minutes.

Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of more than 750 chapters dedicated to saving lives. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

The Tri-County Chapter serves over 500,000 residents in 22 towns in three counties:

Union County
Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union, Winfield

Middlesex County
Dunellen, Edison (NW), South Plainfield

Somerset County
Green Brook, North Plainfield, Warren, Watchung

How The Tri-County Red Cross Helps -- Every Day

Neighbors in crisis may include a family with nowhere to stay after a house fire, a new mother undergoing surgery in desperate need of lifesaving blood, or a toddler who fell into a swimming pool.  There is no time to wait for help, and the Red Cross is there.

People depend on immediate action from the Red Cross whenever help can’t wait – down the street, across the country, and around the world.  For more than a century, we’ve kept faith with the American public thanks to the generosity and support of neighbors like you.

Here is whatthe Tri-County Red Cross provides on an average day:

• Hotel rooms, three square meals and clothing for a family of three displaced from their home by a fire or flood;
• Rides for 30 seniors & other residents to the doctor at low–or no-cost;
• Help for a soldier to return home from overseas for emergency family leave;
• Training for 22 residents in First Aid/CPR;
• Instruction for 10 participants in lifeguarding and water safety;
• Information on disaster and terrorism preparedness for 14 adults;
• Disaster response classes for 10 students;
• Four pints of blood for surgery, transfusion and accident victims.