The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional charter and the Fundamental Charter of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

The Central Plains Chapter of the American Red Cross is part of a the largest volunteer organization in the world. The Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton in 1881. On April 10, 1917 the first meeting was held with the purpose of forming a local Chapter of the American Red Cross. The meeting was held in the Guild Room of the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. This meeting was held almost immediately after the official Declaration of War had been made. A temporary organization was established and officers were elected. One of the first orders of business was to ask for a local charter. At this time the Chapter seems to have participated in two programs only: work with servicemen and their families and public health nursing.

By 1932 the Chapter was participating in am extensive local emergency civilian relief program. A clothing depot was maintained in the courthouse and flour and cotton cloth was distributed to needy persons. In 1939 Mrs. Clara Moore directed a new program, Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick. This was the forerunner of Home Nursing.

It was during the 1930's that the relief functions of the Red Cross were most critical. Drought, depression, and dust impoverished millions of people. Red Cross nurses designed and supervised the making of dust masks to protect residents from pneumonia and other dust-caused diseases.

When World War II began in 1941, the Red Cross was in action again. Specially trained Red Cross volunteer nurse aids took over chores in hospitals left undone when nurses were called into the Armed Services. In 1947 mobile blood units began touring Nebraska stopping in communities at regularly designated times. The Blood Bank Program was instituted during World War II by the Red Cross to provide supplies of life giving blood to soldiers.

At about the same time, 1943, the Chapter moved to permanent quarters in the Union Pacific Station and remained there until the building was to be demolished. At this time the offices were moved to the Veterans Administration Hospital grounds until the tornado of 1980. The 1980 Grand Island Tornadoes presented a tremendous challenge to the Hall County Red Cross. They were declared a National disaster, so volunteers and materials were sent from National Headquarters to assist local staff and volunteers.

Between 1980 and 1985, the Chapter moved to five different homes. On June 9, 1985 the new building was opened at Third and Oak Streets.

In Spring of 1994, Hall and Hamilton County representatives met to discuss merging. Over 40 volunteers were involved in the decision making process. On March 15, 1995 after approval of the National Board of Governors, the Central Plains Chapter became a reality.

1996 was a year of change. The Midwest Region Blood Services partnered with the Central Plains Chapter and became a tenant of the Chapter to better fill the emergency blood needs of the region. Bloodmobiles previously held for 4 days every quarter, were now offered weekly in the community.

In 2000, an alliance was formed between Nebraska and South Dakota Red Cross and was called NAKOTA. In 2001 an agreement was made between the Central Plains Chapter and NAKOTA. This agreement outlined the surrounding counties of Sherman, Howard, Merrick and Greeley as an informal part of the Central Plains jurisdiction bringing the Central Plains territory to 6 counties.

Due to the increasing need for blood and blood products, the Chapter bloodmobiles became daily mobiles in October 2001. The volunteer base was successfully increased to handle this frequent activity.

September 2003 brought more responsibility as the Central Plains Chapter became the custodial chapter for Antelope County. This CSDU (Certified Service Delivery Unit) agreement outlined that Antelope county Red Cross volunteers would continue providing emergency services within their county and the Central Plains Chapter would provide oversight, governance and record keeping for all activities.

With the rapid growth experienced since 1996, the Chapter was faced with a severe space shortage. A feasibility study was performed in the spring of 2004 showing support for the documented need for renovation and expansion to the current facility. Thanks to the generosity of the community, after a successfully one million dollar Capital Campaign, ground was broke on March 1st, 2006. The Chapter officially moved to the new East Wing on Friday, October 7th, 2006 while the Midwest Blood Region fully inhabited the West Wing.