Story told by: Nick Gibson

The mission of the American Red Cross was born on the battlefield through Clara Barton’s care for Civil War soldiers. Today, we continue to serve the U.S. military community from the time a service member takes the oath to navigating life as a veteran.

The Red Cross partners with local veterans' organizations and hospitals to share information and resources on services for veterans year-round. Recently, Red Cross of South Carolina Service to Armed Forces (SAF) teams joined community partners at VA Stand Down events across the state. These annual events help veterans who are unhoused prepare for the winter and access essential services.  

“It’s an external partnership that we have with the VA,” said Denise Teasdell, Regional SAF and International Services Director for the Red Cross of South Carolina.

Veterans who attended the Stand Down event at the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia received pillows, blankets, toiletry, snacks, and bags to carry their items in from the Red Cross. 

Each year, the Red Cross assists more than 240,000 military and veteran families by leveraging a network of volunteers across the country and around the world. Veterans can call the Hero Care Network for assistance if needed. Through the Hero Care Network, the Red Cross connects service members, veterans, and their families to free and confidential assistance any day, anytime.

As part of the Hero Care Network, the Red Cross works with military aid societies to connect eligible military, retired military, veterans and their families with financial assistance in times of hardship. This assistance can include funds for emergency travel, food, shelter and more. The Red Cross also partners with veteran organizations to assist veteran benefits and financial assistance in communities around the U.S.

Denise adds the Hero Care Network is offered to veterans, and has fellow veterans, military spouses, and civilians that veterans can speak with over the phone for support.

“The Hero Care Network helps veterans find housing or financial assistance,” said Denise. “We also offer resiliency workshops that we allow our veterans to come to if they need some time away from home. Sometimes veterans are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and they need to do things with their hands or they need to kind of steady their minds. We do have workshops that we offer such as art therapy.”

Military and veteran communities face unique circumstances, and the Red Cross wants to help every step of the way. That’s why we offer a variety of resiliency workshops with effective tools to help the whole family improve communications, navigate challenges and manage stress. These programs are free, confidential and offered in person or online by licensed mental health professionals. The Red Cross offers many kinds of programs including the following: Coping with Deployments, Reconnection workshops, Mind-Body workshops and more.

“A lot of service members and veterans don’t realize what is available to them. As a third party that assists the VA, we always encourage our veterans to go to the VA and see what they qualify for. In the meantime, the Red Cross is here to assist with anything else they need,” said Denise. 

Denise is a veteran herself and says events and services like this mean a lot to her. She adds it makes her feel really good to give back and put a smile on faces that once served our country.

“There is a love I have for veterans, but it goes even more when they’re unhoused. Dealing with a veteran who is unhoused who doesn’t have toothbrushes and toothpaste; to be able to help them stuff a bag and make sure they have the toiletries they need, is awesome for me,” said Densie.

One of the veterans who received some items during the stand down event was Scott Mitchell who is an Air Force Veteran. Scott says he was overwhelmed by the support the community had for veterans and the size of this veteran stand down event. 

“It’s stuff that we normally don’t get, those treats are really special. I can use an extra blanket at night, this means a lot to me,” said Scott. “I’m probably going to need a pickup truck to take everything that I’ve got.”

All hands were on deck for the Columbia Stand Down, including Annika Pink, a Red Cross volunteer. She says her husband is currently in the military and says it was a pleasure serving the veterans.

“Being able to help them and provide a smile, provide a snack, it’s about getting back to the basic level of being a human being and helping out,” said Annika.  

Learn more about Red Cross services to the armed forces and how you can get involved by visiting redcross.org/saf.