Today's American Red Cross is keeping pace with the changing military. Using the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross allows military members stationed all over the world to send messages to loved ones back home during an emergency or other important events. These communications are delivered around-the-clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

While serving 1.4 million active duty personnel, the Red Cross also reaches out to the 1.5 million members of the National Guard and the Reserves who reside in nearly every local community in America.

Hundreds of Red Cross chapters brief departing service members and their families regarding available support services and explain how the Red Cross may assist them during the deployment. Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families back home, access to financial assistance, counseling and assistance to veterans.

Emergency Communications

American Red Cross communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross sends messages quickly, anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and to isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer in making a decision regarding emergency leave.

Contacting the Red Cross to send an Emergency Message
Active duty service members, family members and individuals in National Guard and Reserves can call the Red Cross for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In Allen County please call the Red Cross at (419) 227-5121. Please do not send emails.

When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, please have ready the following information which will speed the process of sending your message:

• Service Member's Full Name
• Rank/Rating
• Branch of Service
• Social Security Number
• Military Address
• Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit (for deployed service members only)

Emergency Financial Assistance

The Red Cross works with the military aid societies* (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel which requires the presence of the service member or his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day (food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, or the minimum amount required to avoid eviction, utility shut off, etc.). Please call the Red Cross at (419) 227-5121 for additional information.

Publications

Welcome Home, A Guide to a Healthy Family is a publication especially for military personnel returning home to their families after a lengthy deployment. The guide has suggestions for making the transition smoother for the entire family. You may read this publication online by clicking here or you may request the booklet Welcome Home, A Guide to a Healthy Family (ARC 2091, Apr. 1996) by calling (419) 227-5121.

Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving Military Families Worldwide provides a brief explanation of American Red Cross services for active duty military members and their families. You may request the booklet Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving Military Families Worldwide (ARC 2081, Rev. Dec. 1997) by calling (419) 227-5121.

Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving the Community-Based Military and Their Families explains American Red Cross services for National Guard and Reserves and their families. You may view the brochure online or request the booklet Get to Know Us Before You Need Us: Serving the Community-Based Military and Their Families (ARC 1129, Jan 2000) by calling (419) 227-5121.