The Lifesaving Committee was pursuing the idea of building a swimming pool inside the City of Lockport or at Outwater Park with government help. The Jr. Service League was using Red Cross rooms for monthly meetings.

Lockport quota was $8,000 for War Fund; $7,949.48 was raised.

1941 – WWII Wartime Home Service: 55 contacts made. Knitting and sewing was done for European War Relief producing 18,000 garments and 2,256 knitted articles. 4,000 visits for Home Nursing, many of those visited cannot speak English. The first Disaster Plan was written for Lockport Red Cross.

1942 – This was the first mention of blood donors with 5 bloodmobiles and 480 units collected.

Red Cross Youth collected 2,500 coat hangers, 7,000 usable books, and made 521 kit bags for soldiers at Fort Niagara. (This community seemed to contribute much to Ft. Niagara!)

26,386 garments were completed for war relief and 364 Air Raid Wardens were taught First Aid. A station wagon was purchased for $850 for the Motor Corp. and the Canteen Corp. was organized.

Harrison Radiator discontinued Nursing Service and the $50. monthly fee.

1943 – “Gray Ladies” unit formed at Lockport Memorial Hospital. The following quote was found in the Annual Report: “21 ladies wearing a uniform of a soft flowing gray veil with it’s white head band bearing the Red Cross insignia is a gracious head covering and the touch of white repeated in the collar, cuffs, shoulder tabs and pockets of the gray uniform are very effective. It would be difficult to conceive a more suitable and charming ensemble for the hospital corridors”.

A Home Services Secretary was hired due to the increase in wartime casework. The Chapter moved to Hawley Street School (Community Service Building). Nine Bloodmobile drives were held collecting 1,000 units of blood.

Public Health Nursing Terminated- This service was turned over to the Lockport Council of Community Agencies, which consisted of 55 Social Welfare Organizations. (Public Health Nursing was a large part of Red Cross for so many years that, even today, people think that all Red Cross employees are nurses.)

It was noted that 80% of sailors cannot swim. Boot Camp training now to include water safety and swimming lessons with emphasis on swimming fully clothed. This is available at Chapter level.

1944 – Surgical dressings are no longer needed for the war effort. Lockport processed and sent 1,438,000 and received a letter of appreciation from E. Roland Harriman, Manager, North Atlantic Area, American Red Cross.

Home Service processed 3,836 cases with an increase in Prisoner of War Service. False rumor started that servicemen had to pay for blood plasma. 2,435 units of blood collected in the Lockport area.

Red Cross station wagon used as ambulance during blackouts.

1945 – War Fund goal-$74,500. Total raised from Lockport area was $88,196.78.

Volunteers baked 40-60 dozen cookies and delivered them weekly to Ft. Niagara.

1946 – Gray Lady activity at Lockport Hospital falling off; Canteen Corp. is inactive. Chapter held “War Bride” Luncheon which was very successful with much publicity. Still more sewing; this time for Overseas Civilian War Relief.

1947 – Chapter bylaws were adopted. Disaster and Nutrition Committees were formed. Letter of May, 1942 from Secretary of War Stinson was reviewed due to G.I. complaints that they were charged for food and lodging in overseas clubs.

Lockport Chapter quota for Canandaigua Hospital is 5,000 cigarettes per month.

1948 – “Gray Ladies” reactivated by request of Lockport Memorial Hospital Administration. Chapter left Community Services Building as the City of Lockport closed it; returned to Post Office building.

1949-1950 – Lockport Red Cross joined Buffalo Regional Blood Program (Canteen reactivated). May 24, 1949- First community bloodmobile at the American Legion; only a disappointing 46 units of blood were collected.

Buffalo Veteran’s Administration Hospital opened January 15, 1950. Volunteer service withdrew from Batavia VA; now sending sewing and knitted articles to Buffalo VA.

Fire in the Lincoln Building considered National Disaster as incidents involving over 5 families were so classified by National, with full reimbursement.