Tim Mandell
The Daniel Boone Chapter of the American Red Cross recently received a $27,700 grant to create the Services to the Armed Forces program, to aid and assist local military families before, during and after the deployment of a service member.
“The Red Cross has always done emergency communication for service members,” said Katy Sulfridge, executive director of the local chapter that serves Madison, Garrard, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Owsley and Rockcastle counties.
“This will allow us to provide more service to family members.”
Services to the Armed Forces programs consist of five target areas: Get to Know Us Briefings, Information and Referral Services, Military Family Networking Groups, Reintegration Support and SAF Casework Training, according to a press release from the American Red Cross.
The local branch is in the early stages of planning its specific programs. Current focus is on providing scholarships for military members, veterans and their families, as well as health and safety courses.
Courses available include first aid, CPR, automated external defibrillator training, babysitters training and pet first aid, among others, states the press release.
Another program of the Daniel Boone Chapter is Holiday Mail for Heroes.
The program delivers holiday cards to service members, their families and veterans who may be away from home during the holiday season.
Cards and packages will be accepted from the public through Dec. 7. The cards and packages will be delivered to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays, the press release states.
“It’s an honor for our community to help make the holidays special for American heroes,” Sulfridge said. “The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.”
For safety reasons, participants are asked to refrain from sending cards containing glitter, monetary gifts, including inserts in the cards or sending food and gift packages.
Holiday cards should be sent to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 6696.
