In February of 2002, the Montclair Chapter of the American Red Cross merged with the Glen Ridge Chapter and in June of 2003 with the Nutley Chapter. Although the Montclair-Glen Ridge-Nutley Chapter is now one, each chapter has its own distinction in Red Cross History. In the summer of 1914, Glen Ridge was one of the first communities in the country to form a Red Cross working organization when a local resident hosted a lawn party and bazaar and raised a net profit of more than $1,400 for the organization.

            As a result of the event, responsibility took root and volunteers organized an auxiliary to the Essex County Red Cross Chapter with jurisdiction of Montclair, Bloomfield and Glen Ridge.

            Although there was little public attention to their efforts, the volunteers of the auxiliary chapter were conscientious in sending supplies overseas during the early days of World War I. At weekly meetings, volunteers made shirts, pajamas, socks and scarves for the war effort.

            In 1916, Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C. decided to terminate the Essex County Chapter and A.R. Pierson, who was chairperson at the time, applied for a Chapter Charter and the Glen Ridge Chapter of the American Red Cross was approved and signed on July 18, 1916. This piqued interest in the Glen Ridge community and by November, the Chapter boasted 286 volunteers versus the 147 in the auxiliary chapter four months prior.

            The Montclair community was inspired by the efforts of its neighboring Glen Ridge Red Cross and responded to an appeal made by President Woodrow Wilson for support of the Red Cross during World War I. Donations of money and materials were overwhelming, as was volunteer support for whatever needs should arise related to the war.

            In February of 1917, a meeting was organized at the Unity Church, now the Unitarian Church on Church Street. An invitation went out to the community to "bring with you others who will join in the good work." Community response was so overwhelming that by the spring, the Montclair Red Cross searched for permanent space. The Montclair Red Cross Chapter headquarters opened in the old Madison building on Bloomfield Avenue.

            In the same year, the Nutley Red Cross Chapter was incorporated on April 30, 1917 within days after the United Stated entered World War I. People were eager to participate in meaningful activities to help the war effort and worked from their homes turning out surgical dressings and garments for hospital patients and war refugees, and knitted items for the troops.

            At the time there was no building for the Chapter and meetings were held in residents' homes and files were kept at the Woman's Club on Chestnut Street.

By 1942 participants decided a headquarters should be established, and rented a building at 393 Franklin Avenue.

            By 1961, members of the Executive Board purchased a lot at 169 Chestnut Street and when sufficient funds were available to build, ground was broken for what stands today as the Nutley site.

            Today, the strength of the Montclair-Glen Ridge-Nutley Chapter of the American Red Cross in the joint dedication of its staff of six, and volunteer base of more than 300, will continue to serve its communities as one.