There was an outpouring of support during this time for the CRCS especially from women who could not participate in the military. Women donated knitted comforts for soldiers fighting overseas as well as bandages. Some of the jobs done by CRCS volunteers was to visit wounded and recuperating soldiers, document information of Canadian prisoners of war, and track any missing soldiers.
Several branches of the Canadian Red Cross existed in Lennox and Addington County. These include branches in Napanee, Croyden, Switzerville, Tamworth, Newburgh, Odessa, Centerville, and Bayview. The Amherst Island Red Cross was run from 1914-1919 by the Amherst Island Women’s Institute. Between 1915 and 1919 the Newburgh branch sent 80 cases to help soldiers overseas as well as 3039 pairs of socks. Records indicate that the Centreville Red Cross raised $712.95 between 1917 and 1918.
Through the Napanee Red Cross the ladies of the Methodist church in Roblin raised $130.50 by offering a lunch in their homes for 10 cents, they also were able to send 550 pairs of knitted socks to soldiers during WWI.
