Central FL Red Cross volunteers from Service to the Armed Forces were honored to support the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Stand Down for Homeless Veterans in St. Petersburg.
American Red Cross services for veterans date back to World War I and remain consistent with the spirit of our congressional charter. Today, the Red Cross is proud to maintain our commitment to the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
"The Red Cross is here to assist Veterans, service members and their families with their unique needs,” said Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Gregory C. Scrivens, who serves as the Service to the Armed Forces Program Director for the American Red Cross of Central Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We recognize the incredible sacrifices our service members and their families make -- often at great personal cost– and we are dedicated to providing a network of support.”
For at-risk Veterans, including those experiencing homelessness or at high-risk of becoming homeless, the Red Cross collaborates with government and community partners in local stand down events designed to reduce barriers to resources and provide access to basic essentials in a single location.
This spring, Red Cross volunteers and staff members from Service to the Armed Forces were honored to participate in two partner events, serving our most vulnerable Veterans.
In Pinellas County, our team participated in the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Stand Down for Homeless Veterans in St. Petersburg. This year's event drew nearly 300 Veterans who were provided access to medical care, toiletries, clothing items, meals, benefits and housing information, employment assistance, veterinarian services, and DMV services.
Thank you to Red Cross volunteers John Milano, Vincent Leandry, Martha Narvaez and Frank Rodriguez who helped distribute comfort kits, clothing essentials, water and snacks while sharing information about our Hero Care Network.
In Pasco County, our team attended the annual One Community Now Operation Stand Down, a multi-day event serving hundreds of homeless Veterans. Alongside dozens of community and government partners, Veterans and their family members were offered one-stop access to critical resources including the opportunity to stay overnight at a local high school gym, converted into a safe dormitory space. Nearly 350 Veterans attended with access to hot meals, showers, haircuts, health screenings and government services. More than a dozen Red Cross volunteers provided coffee, snacks, blankets, comfort kits, clothing essentials and conversation.
Thank you to John Milano, Joan and Richard Rhyne, Vincent Leandry, Carl Pridemore, Frank Rodriguez, Dr. Pamela Flannery, Gloria Imhof, Ramya Chamkeri, Sudeep Gummadi, Bhavisha Hirani, Keona Kaneshiro, Harini Rajesh, Isha Ratani, Kyleigh Rose, and Gloriann Soto-Detres for sharing your time and compassion.
HOW TO HELP You can honor those who served by giving your time too. As a Red Cross volunteer, you can help Veterans and military families receive the support and care they desperately need. Learn more about our Service to the Armed Forces at redcross.org/SAF or sign up to volunteer at redcross.org/Volunteer.
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