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Emergency Communications
For active service men and women, being separated from loved ones is one of the toughest parts of the job, especially if someone in their familiy is critically ill or expecting a baby. Thanks to the Red Cross, getting important news from home is a certainty for our soldiers, not a worry. The American Red Cross worldwide emergency communications network operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - at no cost to service personnel or their families. You can reach one of our military case workers at 877-272-7337 or by email at AFESCHI@usa.redcross.org when you need help.
When You Call
Please be prepared to provide the service member's:
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Full Name
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Social Security Number
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Branch of Service
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Rank
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Military Unit
Jan hadn't heard from her son serving in Iraq for several months and thought the worst might have happened. The Red Cross helped her contact him. Read more here.
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MAKE A MEMORIAL GIFT
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To reach members of your family who are in the armed forces, during times of emergency need, call the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Community Facility toll-free number:
1-877-272-7337.
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Financial Assistance
The Red Cross collaborates with the military aid societies in providing financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises - that is, when members might need financial assistance for emergency travel, burial of a loved one or urgent health and welfare needs such as food and shelter.
Information and Referral
In addition to having Red Cross military caseworkers to assist with confidential problem solving, military members are entitled to a variety of health and supportive services from the military and other sources. The Red Cross can help members understand these referrals, local resouces and government benefits.
Service to Military Hospitals
Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services - The Red Cross was one of six charter members when Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services was formed in 1946. Locally, we have two representatives who sit on the VAVS committee at each of the three area VA Hospitals. Red Cross volunteers also support Special Events at the local military and VA Hospitals.
Service to injured service members, veterans and their families - The American Red Cross provides material and volunteer support to wounded, ill or injured service members; veterans and their family members who are receiving care in military or Veterans Affairs medical facilities. Recently, we donated 35 DVD players, 40 CD players and more than 200 DVDs and CDs to the Rehabilitation Services department at Hines VA Hospital.
Volunteer
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GTKU Program & Events - The Get To Know Us program provides military families with opportunities to become familiar with the Red Cross before they utilize our services. Red Cross volunteers attend military family days, pre-deployment briefings and welcome-home events to share information and materials with service members and their families. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at 312-729-6141.
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VA Hospital Events - Red Cross volunteers are needed for special events held at our local VA hospitals. This includes set up, registration, serving food, assisting patients and much more.
Special Events and Programs
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Holiday Mail for Heroes - Click here to find out more about how the Red Cross brings the holiday spirit from home to our soldiers overseas.
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Coping With Deployments Class - With the pace of today's military deployments, the Armed Forces are paying increasing attention to preparing service members to cope with the psychological stress of cobat and its aftermath. The Red Cross believes it is equally important to prepare family members to ensure they are better able to deal with the challenges of serving at home while their loved on is deployed. Coping with Deployments: Psychological First Aid for Military Families was developed out of the Red Cross's continuing commitment to serve military families. Fore more information about this class, please contact us at 312-729-6141
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SAF Committee - The Services to the Armed Forces Committee meets twice a year to discuss how the American Red Cross can help our local military community and to share resources. If you are interested in attending a SAF Committee meeting, please contact the SAF Committee Chairman at 312-729-6277.
For additional information, contact the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago by calling (312) 729-6100, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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