Story by Cassi McCarrick, Communications Volunteer

The Red Cross proudly supports our nation’s military and veteran communities in many areas. In the COVID environment, military are dealing with a host of different stressors like changing deployment schedules and delayed returns home.

Earlier this year, Red Cross volunteers introduced a project called Compassionate Care Calls to reach out to new service members and their families to let them know that we appreciate them, we are thinking of them, and to provide information on the assistance programs available to them.

Nearly 4,000 families were reached through the calls, and many had stories to share.

"This has been one of the toughest things we have had to endure as a military family," a Central Florida woman explained to me.  "We've been apart before, but there are so many added factors with COVID.  Knowing that if my son were to get sick, we may not ever be able to see him again."

More than 20 Red Cross volunteers – including me -- were inspired to participate.

I talked to Julia Joseph-Simon, a veteran of 23 years and Red Cross volunteer, who said, “I wanted to do the calls because I’m a retired veteran, and I continue to volunteer my time to our veterans.”

Julia has a lot of experience speaking with military families as a volunteer with the local National Guard Family Readiness Group and the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserves.  She shared that when making these calls she spoke with a woman who was dealing with COVID.  “She said she was fine and didn’t need any type of follow up, but I just wanted to reach through the phone and console her.”

As a Red Cross volunteer myself, I jumped at the chance to help make calls as I come from a military family as well. My grandfather, uncles, and cousins served in various branches, which made this personal to me.

I spoke with a South Florida woman who told me, “My daughter’s return home was postponed several times due to all of the travel restrictions last year. She was finally able to make it home and we have never been happier.” She added, “It’s terrifying when you’re so far away from your children and you don’t can’t be there to protect them and let them know that everything is going to be okay. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

I also talked to Judy Perry, a Hero Care Network caseworker and veteran, who explained she wanted to help with the calls because she knows how important it is to know that your family is okay.  She said, “Back in the late 60s - early 70s, communication was pretty limited.  I think that today with improved communication, there are still times the family needs help getting in touch.  They appreciated knowing that someone cared about them and there is somewhere they can turn to if they need assistance.  Some seemed to like the opportunity to just talk.”

The Red Cross appreciates the many men and women serving in the military and their families, and we are here for them in the event of an emergency.

To learn more about the scope of support services offered, please visit www.redcross.org/saf or download the free Red Cross Hero Care App.

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