American Red Cross mobilizes support for military families

"Every day, the Red Cross carries the sad news of a death or illness of a family member, or the joyful news of a birth, to servicemen and women worldwide, and we often arrange emergency travel, enabling military families to be together. The long separations and stressful situations that occur when a service member deploys often place a serious emotional strain on families," Charlotte Rodas, executive director of the Orleans County Red Cross said. "The Red Cross links military personnel and their families through services which include confidential counseling as well as neutral, impartial assistance when and where needed, particularly during times of crisis at home."

"Community-based military members and their families are entitled to the same valuable Red Cross emergency services as full-time active duty personnel. When a doctor, pharmacist, or your neighbor is mobilized or deployed with the Reserve or National Guard, the American Red Cross is there," Rodas said. "We keep them in touch with their families at home, verify emergency leave information, secure emergency financial assistance and help families cope with separation when their loved ones are far from home in defense of our country."

Individuals can help the Red Cross by keeping close at hand specific information that would be needed to quickly contact someone in the military. This includes their full name, social security number, address where they are deployed, home base unit and name and phone number of the local Red Cross chapter.

The American Red Cross in Orleans County has two active caseworkers who are on call 24 hours a day/seven days a week to assist with emergency communication. If you or someone you know is in the military, keep your local Red Cross phone number handy; 585-798-3170. After office hours the answering machine will give contact information to reach the local caseworkers.

July 23, 2006