Armed Forces Emergency Services - AFES
With the September 11 attack on the Pentagon, our Armed Forces Emergency Services swung into action with other Red Cross partners, lending immediate assistance. A steadfast friend to military families at all times, last year we handled more than 1.2 million calls regarding emergency situations at home. Armed Forces Emergency Services provides military families access to emergency financial assistance, confidential counseling and a touch of home service men and women deployed around the globe. As Operation Enduring Freedom unfolds, thousands of National Guardsmen and Reservists are being activated. During this difficult time, Red Cross chapters and stations are reaching out to support them and their families in civilian communities throughout the United States.
Military SUPPORT GrOUPS!!
Do you have a family member or close friend serving in the military? If you do, and find it sometimes hard to find others who understand what you're going through or need a hard in coping, try attending one of these two Support Groups in Wayne County.
American Ex-Prisoners of War Support Group
The North Central Ohio Chapter #8 - Meets the 1st Sunday of each month, from (1 pm - 3 pm) held at the American Red Cross, 140 South Walnut Street, Wooster
Meets the 3rd Saturday of each month, from (1 pm - 2 pm) at the Amish Door in Wooster
Army Families Support Group
Meets the 1st Saturday of each month from (1 pm - 2 pm) held at the American Red Cross, 140 South Walnut Street, Wooster Contact Karen Leeson (330-435-4867) or Brooke Leidigh (419-368-9060)
Contact: Sgt Lawrence with the Wooster National Guard at (330) 262-1946 This group meets on an as needed basis and is specific to the National Guard Unit deployed from Wooster.
How do I get in touch with my son (or daughter) in the service?
Many of the cases we receive involve getting a message to a serviceperson, which may also require emergency leave. If you have a son or daughter, husband or wife, or child in the service, we ask that emergency messages from the family are coordinated through the immediate family - to prevent duplicate efforts and confusion. We ask that family members select one family member to be our contact. The information we need to send a message to a serviceperson throughout the world are as follows:
Serviceperson's Full Name (First, Last, Middle)
Branch of the Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard)
* Deployed Unit Information: (i.e. 175th Engineering...) for deployed service members only
Military Address (usually will begin with APO or FPO)
Military Rank/Rating
Social Security Number and Birth Date
Messages sent must be of emergency nature. Notification of births, deaths, illness, and financial hardship are normal types of reasons messages are sent. Quite often in concurrence of notification, leave requests are made and can be granted following verification. Communications are handled 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All cases are given top priority and handled immediately. Service to Military Families is a core service of the American Red Cross. The service we provide our servicemen and women is critical in nature and a service we provide with great pride. Our servicemen and women are there for us - and the American Red Cross is there with them.
National Guard Deployment Tips
* Tips for Military Spouces
* Deployment Checklist
* Tips for returning Military Members
* How to Use the American Red Cross During Family Emergencies When a National Guard Reserve Member is Absent
Review our National AFES web-page at www.redcross.org/services/afes/deploytips.html