Services for Military Members and Their Families
Members of the Armed Forces and their families encounter stress not always experienced in civilian life - lengthy separations from family, lack of familiar support resources and ineligibility for local benefits.
The U.S. Congress mandates that the American Red Cross provide emergency-related services to our service members and their family members. Through our Emergency Services Department we work to accomplish this mission, easing stress unique to the families of service members and serving the entire community in several ways.
Emergency Communications
The Red Cross is the official liaison between the military and their families. It is the only agency that can provide communication services for members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed anywhere in the world and their families at home. Paid and volunteer staff work around-the-clock to take messages from families of service personnel -- messages of serious illness, births and deaths -- and forward this information to the necessary military locations.
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. For convenience, a national toll-free number has been established for this purpose: 1-877-272-7337.
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:
1) Service member's full name
2) Current rank/rating
3) Branch of service
4) Social Security Number
5) Date of birth
6) Military mailing address
7) Unit name and commanding officer, if known
8) Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit (for deployed service members only)
9) If communicating regarding a serious illness or an injury of a family member, please have the attending physician's name and contact information, as well as that of the hospital or treatment facility.
10) If communicating regarding the death of a family member, please have the name and contact information for the funeral home handling the arrangements, as well as any known details regarding calling hours, services and burial.
11) If following up on an emergency communication in progress that has been assigned a case number, please have that number available when placing the follow-up call.
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.). Call the Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.
Additional AssistanceThe Red Cross also provides members of the military, retired veterans and their immediate families with interest-free financial assistance for emergency needs and provides counseling and referrals to other community agencies. In addition, the chapter helps with emergency communications for civilians in times of national or international disasters. For more information call 1-877-272-7337.
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 request the booklet Welcome Home, A Guide to a Healthy Family (ARC 2091, Apr. 1996) by calling (740) 725-9141.
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 (740) 725-9141. Download PDF
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 (740) 725-9141.
The U.S. Congress mandates that the American Red Cross provide emergency-related services to our service members and their family members. Through our Emergency Services Department we work to accomplish this mission, easing stress unique to the families of service members and serving the entire community in several ways.
Emergency Communications
The Red Cross is the official liaison between the military and their families. It is the only agency that can provide communication services for members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed anywhere in the world and their families at home. Paid and volunteer staff work around-the-clock to take messages from families of service personnel -- messages of serious illness, births and deaths -- and forward this information to the necessary military locations.
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. For convenience, a national toll-free number has been established for this purpose: 1-877-272-7337.
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:
1) Service member's full name
2) Current rank/rating
3) Branch of service
4) Social Security Number
5) Date of birth
6) Military mailing address
7) Unit name and commanding officer, if known
8) Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit (for deployed service members only)
9) If communicating regarding a serious illness or an injury of a family member, please have the attending physician's name and contact information, as well as that of the hospital or treatment facility.
10) If communicating regarding the death of a family member, please have the name and contact information for the funeral home handling the arrangements, as well as any known details regarding calling hours, services and burial.
11) If following up on an emergency communication in progress that has been assigned a case number, please have that number available when placing the follow-up call.
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.). Call the Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337.
Additional AssistanceThe Red Cross also provides members of the military, retired veterans and their immediate families with interest-free financial assistance for emergency needs and provides counseling and referrals to other community agencies. In addition, the chapter helps with emergency communications for civilians in times of national or international disasters. For more information call 1-877-272-7337.
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 request the booklet Welcome Home, A Guide to a Healthy Family (ARC 2091, Apr. 1996) by calling (740) 725-9141.
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 (740) 725-9141. Download PDF
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 (740) 725-9141.
The American Red Cross -- Marion County (OH) Chapter, 1849 Summerset Drive, Marion, OH 43302 (740) 725-9141
