Service to Armed Forces

www.LetsSayThanks.com

 Throughout the year, you can send your thoughts of appreciation to U.S. soldiers through www.letssaythanks.com. This website, sponsored by Xerox Corporation, allows people across our country to write a personalized message on colorful postcards that have been drawn by kids. The postcards are printed and mailed to deployed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by www.Give2theTroops.org.

Financial Donations

 Community members may make a financial donation to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services at our chapter to support outreach to active duty military service members, Reservists, National Guardsmen and their families

"Gifts from the Homefront"
"Gifts From the Homefront," are gift certificates purchased by friends, families or groups which allows service members to purchase items at PX and BX facilities around the world. Certificates can be purchased from The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and addressed to a specific service member. Or certificates can be purchased and addressed to “any service member” and sent to the Red Cross for distribution.   To purchase a gift certificate, log on to www.aafes.com or call 877-770-4438.

"Help Our Troops Call Home"
The “Help Our Troops Call Home” Program allows for the purchase of a AT&T Prepaid Phone Card for deployed U.S. troops. The program makes it easy for deployed military members to call home and stay in touch with family and friends. Hearing a familiar voice is one of the best ways to boost morale and feeling of well being for our troops.
This program offers phone cards that do not expire and do not add any additional charges or connection fees.

Calling cards can be purchased and sent to "any service member" who is deployed. To purchase a Prepaid Phone Card, visit the www.aafes.com or call 800-527-2345. American Red Cross deployed staff distribute calling cards to service members in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

How to Use the Red Cross During Family Emergencies

No one ever said that families of the Reserve Component (Reserves and National Guard) or any other community-based military was going to be easy for you. Military life, in fact, often creates unforeseen hardships. The good news is that the American Red Cross helps community-based military members and their families cope with separation and other special needs related to service in the armed forces. You are entitled to the same valuable Red Cross emergency services as the families of full time active duty military personnel.

If your loved one is away from home because of military duty and you need to get in touch with him or her in the event of an emergency, then the American Red Cross can help. To assist us in quickly locating your them and sending an emergency message, please have ready the following information:

The Red Cross verifies this information and relays it to the appropriate command where it is up to the military whether the service member returns home. Remember, a service member can only come home in an emergency situation.

Please call our office @ 828-322-4151.  Our Armed Forces Emergency service line is open 24 hours a day.

Copyright © 2008 American Red Cross Catawba Valley Chapter
Last modified: 02/22/08