ARMED  FORCES  EMERGENCY  SERVICES  (AFES)

WEST  ALABAMA  CHAPTER  AMERICAN  RED  CROSS

Services to Armed  Forces (SAF) Family Network Meetings will be a series of informational meetings designed for military families. These meetings will be open to spouses, parents, immediate family members, significant others and veterans. A Coping with Deployment course will be offered later this spring.  To find out more about the Family Network Meetings, please contact Robyn Alexander at (205)758-3608 or robyn.alexander@redcrossal.org.

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The American Red Cross has a mission to provide services to the US Armed Forces. Part of that mission is sending verified information related to the birth, serious illness, or death of a family member. We do this and we also do lots more. 

This year we have received funding from a grant sponsored by the Department of Defense, of such amount as twice that of last year. This grant includes support for programs and assistance to our local VA Hospital. Thus, we will continue to expand our presence at the VA. Currently we are seeking persons to work as  American Red Cross volunteers in the VA.  One such opportunity is the Cafe' VA barista (coffee server) needed for coffee cart program at VA Hospital. Contact Robyn Alexander if you are interested at robyn.alexander@redcrossal.org.

For more volunteer opportunities, contact Paul Stewart, Community Disaster Specialist,
paul.stewart@redcrossal.org.

American Red Cross/Photographer: Jeanette Ortiz Osorio

AFES---ARMED  FORCES  EMERGENCY  SERVICES
SAF---American Red Cross SERVICE  TO  THE  ARMED  FORCES

With the American Red Cross, you're never out of touch...around the clock...
around the world.
During times of mobilization and deployment...we'll be there.

Get to know us before you need us.

We're always there to help you:
*Stay in touch wilth loved ones.
*Get verification of emergency leave information.
*Secure emergency financial assistance.
*Obtain counseling, information, referrals and other social needs.
*Receive veterans services to which you are entitled.
*Obtain disaster assistance, health and safety and HIV/AIDS education
and volunteer opportunities.

There  may come a time when help can't wait--and we'll be there.
Who we help:
Active-Duty Personnel, National Guard,  Reservists,  Recruiters,  ROTC,  U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service,  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Military Retirees, Veterans, Families of all of the above.

VAVS---VETERANS  AFFAIRS  VOLUNTARY  SERVICE  PROGRAM

The VAS program is designed to help local Red Cross chapters work with nearby Veterans Affairs medical facilities to develop a group of dedicated volunteers. Supported by Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF), the VAVS program continues to help meet the various needs of service members and their families.
Given the challenges associated with the increasing number of veterans seeking medical attention, the Red Cross needs more volunteers to work with patients, augment administrative staff and provide hospitality services. Red Cross chapters are actively recruiting diverse segments of the population as new volunteers. Youth and young adults, in particular, have great potential as VAVS volunteers.