The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. The first Red Cross office in Rhode Island opened on Bellevue Avenue in Newport in 1916, where volunteers played a vital role preparing bandages for area hospitals. Today, the Chapter serves all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island as well as Seekonk, Massachusetts. We rely on a corps of dedicated volunteers to achieve our mission of providing immediate relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. In addition to disaster relief, the Chapter offers disaster preparedness education; community and workplace health and safety training; service to the Armed Forces; and international tracing services.