American Red Cross Blood Services - New England Region
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
Where Tradition and the New Millennium Meet
| Celebrities and the American Red Cross The Stars Shine On Our Work Through The Years
World War I
1930s
World War II
In the 1950s the Red Cross produced star-studded fund drives on network television and radio that included performances by popular actors, comedians and musicians of the day like Red Buttons, Tallulah Bankhead, the Andrews Sisters, and Jack Benny. Other stars from the post war era who lent their name and support were:
As the medium of television gained momentum in the late 1950s to early 1960s the Red
Cross was able to benefit from many talented actors who became spokespersons in
public service announcements, skits and fundraising programs. In 1968 American’s two
favorite redheads, Lucille Ball and Carol Burnette performed a comedy skit endorsing
the Red Cross. In 1969 Johnny Carson donated blood on the Tonight Show to
demonstrate how easy it was. Other celebrity supporters from this era include:
Over the years many athletes have also contributed their time and talent to the Red
Cross. NFL stars Marcus Allen and Jay Schroeder both recorded volunteer
recruitment public services announcements. Blood donor recruitment is popular with
professional baseball players and teams. In 1992 Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan
Ryan appeared in a televised appeal for blood donors and since 2003 the Boston Red
Sox and the Red Cross has collected hundreds of units of blood through a program
where selected blood donors are recognized at Red Sox games. Recently the Red
Cross has enlisted the help of NASCAR racing star Jimmie Johnson, former
heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman and NFL quarterback, Peyton
Manning.
Today Whether its raising funds for disaster relief, rolling up their sleeves for a blood drive or educating the public on health issues and Red Cross initiatives, celebrity volunteers have an impressive history of lending their time and talent to help people in need.
Celebrity Quotes “This year we have to do even more. You can help.” -- Jimmy Stewart, 1953 “My mommy said…The American Red Cross…whenever there is trouble, they’re right there to help people.” -- Shirley Temple, 1936 “I owe the Red Cross so much for the privilege of being a Gray Lady.” -- Minnie Pearl “I don’t have to tell you about the Red Cross. Just ask that returned serviceman you know—your son or brother or the kid next door.” -- Jack Benny, 1953
“The Red Cross is the only thing I can think of that we couldn’t possibly get along
without.” -- Will Rogers
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The American Red Cross first film star patrons were Mary Pickford and Douglas
Fairbanks who leant their names and support for the War Fund campaigns. Other film
star supporters from the era included:
In the midst of America’s Great Depression, child star sensation Shirley Temple made
appeals for the public’s support in trailers shown on cinemas across the country for the
American Red Cross Roll Call fund drive. Cowboy humorist and radio personality Will
Rogers had supported the Red Cross for years when in 1933 he donated the then
astronomical sum of $25,000 to help the organization continue its services during the
financially hard years of the Depression.
On Armistice Day, November 11, 1939, Bob Hope starred in the annual American Red
Cross radio campaign. At the time, the Red Cross was already engaged in relief
operations on behalf of Europe’s war victims. While participating in a radio program to
mark the global effort, Hope was joined on the radio broadcast by President Franklin
Roosevelt and the comedian Edgar Bergen, forming an all-star lineup to promote the
work of the Red Cross. During World War II Clark Gable asked the public to support
Red Cross work with the armed forces through the Motion Picture Week fund drive
while stars like Vivian Leigh and Deanna Durbin boosted morale at Red Cross
canteens for servicemen. Other star supporters of the war years included:
Since 2002 the American Red Cross has enlisted the help of the nation’s stars through
its annual National Celebrity Cabinet. The Cabinet was developed to help highlight
important Red Cross initiatives and response efforts. These respected public figures are
"on-call" to help the Red Cross by donating their time, skills, passion and energy for a
one-year term to help the organization when it's needed most. Some of the members of
this year’s cabinet are country music star Tim McGraw, super model Heidi Klum, coanchor
of Access Hollywood Nancy O’Dell, soul music singer Patti LaBelle and child
star Dakota Fanning.
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Phone: 781-461-2000 or 1-800-462-9400