The American Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a not-for-profit organization that offers disaster relief and other humanitarian services through more than 900 chapters nationwide. Chartered by Congress in 1905, the American Red Cross isn't a government agency. Its staff is largely volunteer -- more than 1.2 million strong. Aside from helping victims of more than 70,000 disasters each year, the Red Cross teaches CPR, first aid, and AIDS awareness courses; provides counseling for US military personnel; and maintains some of the largest blood, plasma, and tissue banks in the nation.