These recordings were radio advertisements for the American Red Cross Fund Campaign.
http://www.adclassix.com/images42redcross.jpg

From the American Red Cross on line museum...

In November 1941, with war in Europe, the Red Cross conducted a highly successful 25th Annual Roll Call. A few days later the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. As it had done in the previous World War, the Red Cross responded immediately by declaring a War Fund campaign. By June 1942, it had raised more than $66 million.

Rather than go back to the public with a third appeal in one year, the Red Cross decided to cancel its 1942 Roll Call. Instead, after discussions with President Franklin Roosevelt, the honorary chairman of the Red Cross, the whole month of March 1943 was declared "Red Cross Month" and a goal of $125 million was set, the biggest amount ever asked for in one campaign by any American organization. Again, the response was overwhelming. It took less than six weeks to reach the target and by June 1943 donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it the " . . . greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history."

This success caused the Red Cross to repeat the March drive during the remaining years of the war and then to make it the occasion of its annual membership and fund-raising efforts ever since. As part of the tradition, the President customarily issues a proclamation each year declaring March as Red Cross Month.

You may also enjoy this letter from President Truman for the 1951 campaign (the same campaign for your recordings).
http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/96c2453dad618e03fd518ccf1f092675.jpg

Letter to the President of the Red Cross on the Progress of the Fund Campaign

April 6, 1951

April 6, 1951. Dated April 5, 1951

Dear Mr. Harriman:

I have been watching with the deepest interest the progress of the 1951 Red Cross Fund Campaign. I want to congratulate the millions of Americans who have already responded to this great cause. I want also to compliment you and the great band of other active Red Cross workers for your efforts.

But above all, I want everyone--particularly those who have not yet made their contribution--to know how vital the success of this campaign is to the welfare of our armed services and to our people.

Never in its glorious history has the Red Cross had such urgent tasks. It is serving our fighting men on the battlefields and at the training centers. It is training volunteers for civil defense for the welfare of the people at home if ever attacked. It is gathering blood to save military and civilian lives. These and other tasks have grown steadily as a consequence of the nation's need to mobilize for defense. If our countrymen are informed of these needs, I am sure they will subscribe and oversubscribe the campaign goal.

I urge my fellow Americans to give generously and promptly to the 1951 Red Cross Fund Campaign.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN
Source(s):
http://www.redcross.org/museum/history/marchis.asp
http://www.adclassix.com/ads/42redcross.htm


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