|
The American Red
Cross is the communications link between families who reside in
Spartanburg County and their active duty military members. The Red Cross
sends communications on behalf of local families facing emergencies or
other important events to members of their immediate family serving in
the U.S. Armed Forces anywhere in the world. These communications are
delivered around-the-clock, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Messages are
sent on behalf of families following the death or serious illness of a
family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child.
Serving as the liaison, Piedmont Chapter volunteers contact official
sources like the coroner, funeral homes, physicians, or hospitals to
obtain specific details, including a confirmation of the emergency
situation. Verified information is electronically relayed to Military
authorities who convey the emergency to the service member and determine
the best response such as a leave of absence or simply a telephone
contact. Last year, there was 37% increase in the chapter’s caseload
over the previous year.
The Chapter sends
Next-of-Kin letters to the families of new recruits to inform them of
the emergency communication service and how to contact the chapter in
the event of an emergency. Volunteers routinely meet with local Guard
and Reserve Units to update the members on emergency communication
procedures in the event of their activation.
The 'Video Connect'
program permits local military families to send 2-minute video emails to
family. This past holiday season, 32 local families recorded video
emails for dads, brothers and sisters stationed around the world – many
of them in the Middle East.
Chapter caseworkers
work with local military families and the military aid societies (Army
Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid
Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership helps
to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the
presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved
one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day
(food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount
required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.). The Chapter
facilitated four referrals to military aid societies totaling $3,767 for
local military families in 2005.
|
|
  Military families are invited to come to our office at
104 Garner Road
to make a
video email to send to their loved one(s) serving on active duty around the
world. Upon completing the recording, the video email will be
immediately be forwarded to the Service Member. The Service Member
will both see and hear the people he/she loves during the two minute
video. The reserve a time a date to record and send your email, please contact
Robin Smith at
583-8000.
|
