Last weekend Red Cross of Utah Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) team put on a wellness event for our local veterans, active military, family, and caregivers. The SAF volunteers taught the art of paint pouring as a creative outlet and a way to relax from the daily stressors of military life.
By Kirsten Stuart, American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region Volunteer
The mission of Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) is to provide care and comfort to members of United States Armed Forces and their families. This month in Utah that support came in the form of therapy-through-paint.
The Red Cross office in Ogden hosted a paint pour event, which had military families creating swirly, colorful images on canvas. Tech Sergeant John Velez, wife Yasmina, and their daughter Annabella all participated in the recent activity. He says events like the paint pour are therapeutic and a great creative outlet, but most importantly, “It was an opportunity to involve my family in my military life, and I try to do that whenever I can.” Velez has been in the Air Force for more than 17 years and deployed multiple times.
The event was designed to use the art of painting as a type of mental health care for military members, according to Dee Dodwell, Director of Service to the Armed Forces in Utah. “Take a moment, join us, and we will show you a way to take a moment for yourself.”
Volunteer Nicole Smauldon, wife of Executive Director Michael Smauldon, led the paint pouring class. “Of course, it’s an honor to support our military families,” she said, “but it’s also a lot of fun to teach this method of creating art. I think everyone enjoyed themselves and the artwork that they created.”
In addition to the paint pouring activity, the SAF team works with local VA hospitals and veterans’ groups to host yoga, wood carving, and other events that can help military members de-stress. “Coming together and not just talking about mindfulness but demonstrating easy ways to achieve a more relaxed and engaged state of mind is the goal,” Dowdell said.
The American Red Cross SAF team aims to make a huge impact on military members nationwide, with more than a million military members and their families having been served since 2001. “SAF is there during deployments and emergencies; serves in military and veterans’ hospitals, conducts emergency communications, and supports our nation’s veterans after their service ends,” Dowdell explained. “The team also adapts services and creates new programs, all as part of ensuring military members know their communities care about them.”
During Military Appreciation Month, show you care
Turn ‘thank you for your service’ into action. Opportunities to volunteer and support military and veteran communities are available, whether you have a military background or just a heart for those who serve.
About the American Red Cross
The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The nonprofit organization depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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