The American Red Cross is hosting a new program at the VA Medical Center in Fargo, ND. The Arts Therapy Program is in its third month and is organized by Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Manager Keith Huff.

Veterans learned how to make bracelets at the first class in April, and six people attended a creative writing workshop in May. Keith was there with two volunteers and said, “It was very insightful and the volunteers who taught the class did a great job.” The following was said about the workshop by one of the veterans in attendance:  

“Thank you very much for the creative writing class on Monday. I thought it went very, very well. Creative writing is what holds my sanity in place these days. Could you pass my thanks on to the gentleman from the Red Cross and his two volunteers?”

SMSgt Dave Lipp from the 119th Air Wing taught a photography 101 class in June, highlighting simple techniques on how to take better pictures. Three veterans gathered in the new Healing Garden of the VA complex. SAF Manger Keith Huff describes it as a beautiful night for taking pictures, saying everyone enjoyed what they learned and they were able to put the techniques into practice right away.

Future nights planned for the Arts Therapy Program will include a class in water color painting and drawing. If you would like to volunteer or help with the VA Arts Therapy Program, contact Keith Huff at keith.huff2@redcross.org or 701-364-1800, ext. 2011. To learn more about how the Red Cross provides services to our armed forces, click here or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

For Armed Forces Emergency Communications call 877-272-7337

For immediate disaster assistance call 844-292-7677