The Howard County office of the American Red Cross, Central Maryland Chapter was opened in 1973.  Prior to that time, the Central Maryland Chapter had been providing services to the county from downtown.  However, following the advise of local volunteers, it was decieded to open an office in Howard County.

Under the leadership of Alma Lauriente, then Chairperson of Bloodmobile Volunteers, a Chapter Board of Directors was formed and appropriate staff were hired.

However, in the Fall of 1993, in order to avoid an anticipated cut in United Way allocations, several of the services provided at the County level were consolidated in the Central Chapter Headquarters.  No loss of service was experienced as a result of this move and a savings of over $100,000 was realized annually Chapter wide.

The local county operation is now responsible for some specific activities such as disaster relief, fundraising, board development, volunteer recruitment, community relations, and support of the Central Chapter's community services.  These activities are spelled out in more detail in other parts of the manual.