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Military Family Support Groups Offered by Red Cross Chapters
Written by
Bonnie Gillespie
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Monday, March 17, 2003 — With almost 300,000 troops now deployed in the Persian Gulf region and the threat of war looming, hundreds of thousands of military families in the U.S. are feeling the pains of uncertainty and separation. Aware of this vulnerability, American Red Cross chapters across the nation are establishing local support groups where family members of deployed service men and women can connect, offering both encouragement and understanding during the anxious days ahead.
Leaving behind their families during times of deployment is perhaps one of the greatest challenges faced by men and women serving in the U.S. Military.
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The organization's network of nearly 1,000 local chapters allows the Red Cross to be there for every family member and loved one of America's armed forces personnel. Caring and concerned workers support not only active duty military and Reserve and National Guard service members but their families as well, through emergency communications, access to financial assistance, counseling and a variety of other services.
"I believe that the Red Cross has a mission to help military families," said Julie Burger, a volunteer senior advisor to the Armed Forces Emergency Services of the Red Cross. "Support groups offer a place for the families to come together and be with people who are going through the same things they are."
Having spent 35 years in the military and with three children serving in the U.S. military, Burger knows the struggles families face firsthand. Red Cross staffers like Burger understand that often what loved ones need most during times of deployment is companionship … and an empathetic ear.
"If you can tell your story, it's half the battle. Just being able to talk to someone and have them truly understand what you're going through can make all the difference," said Audrey Payne, assistant emergency services director for the Midland Empire Chapter in St. Joseph, Mo. "A spouse wants to talk to another spouse, a mother to another mother, a teenager can talk to another teenager about their father being gone."
Volunteers and staff of the Midland Empire Chapter hosted a military family support group during Operation Desert Storm that averaged more than 60 people in regular attendance. The thriving support network that developed was an incentive to begin meetings again when the recent deployments began.
"We mainly furnish the room and the family members facilitate the program," said Payne. "Red Cross counselors are there if they are needed and we supply the tea and the coffee."
A Red Cross volunteer reads to the childern of service men and women from Fort Belvoir, Va.
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Payne went on to describe past military family support groups having pot luck suppers, guest speakers and other activities to keep them and the children busy. The Greater Carolinas Chapter in Charlotte is even planning a karaoke night and an Easter egg hunt for military families in their community, along with an extensive schedule of classes and support meetings.
"A stress management presentation is the first of in a series of family programs for members in the military," said Donna Emmary, communications director of the chapter. "Other programs will deal with children suffering from separation, budgeting and money management and more."
Financial problems often hamper countless military families during times of deployment, placing unexpected burdens on loved ones left behind with bills and other expenses. The Red Cross also provides access to emergency financial assistance for families in need, in addition to emergency messaging and referral services. Chapters across the nation are committed to providing the best and most comprehensive support and service to military families in their communities.
"If the families need something, we can help them," said Sondra Hayes, director of emergency services for the American Red Cross of the Heartland in Bloomington, Ill. "We're committed to finding out what kind of gaps there might be in service so we can fill that void. We will be there for our military families."
You can support U.S. military members and their families through the American Red Cross as we provide assistance and comfort. Your gift will support the nationally coordinated Red Cross services provided to military families across the country and to American service men and women located throughout the world. Please make a financial donation to Armed Forces Emergency Services by calling 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions may be sent to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, P. O. Box 91820, Washington, DC 20090. Secure online credit card donations can be made by visiting www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We rely on the assistance of caring supporters like you to deliver our critical services. You can support U.S. military members and their families through the American Red Cross as we provide assistance and comfort. Your gift will support the nationally coordinated Red Cross services provided to military families across the country and to American service men and women located throughout the world. Please make a financial donation to Service to Armed Forces by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions may be sent to the American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces, P.O. Box 91820, Washington, DC 20090. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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