SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - As the 83rd anniversary of the first Red Cross Clubmobile rolling into action approaches on October 22, the story of Kansas City’s Blanche Barnes highlights the courage of women who served just off the front lines during World War II.

An Auburn University historian discovered that the very first Clubmobile carried the name “The St. Louis.” These mobile units became lifelines for American servicemembers, with female volunteers cooking doughnuts and serving coffee to thousands of troops across England and Europe.

Barnes was among the brave women who volunteered for this dangerous mission, bringing comfort and a taste of home to soldiers fighting far from American soil.

The work came with significant risks that became apparent immediately upon arrival overseas.

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