We Need You!

A wife gives birth prematurely ... his father becomes critically ill ... her grandmother dies unexpectedly ... how are these family crises officially communicated to the deployed service member? How do the military commands verify that there is a real family crisis and provide support to the service man or woman? Our Red Cross' "Service to the Armed Forces" (SAF) organization is there as part of an efficient and caring network of support for our service men and women and their families.

Will you help us as a SAF volunteer?

Our local Red Cross Chapter needs your help as a SAF volunteer-- help that is easy to provide-- help that you will know makes a difference in the lives of our service men and women.

What does the SAF volunteer do? For one week every few months, you carry a pager and respond to after business hours call from SAF headquarters, from family members, or from friends of our service members. You may talk with a doctor to find out about a child's medical condition; you may verify the death of a family member with an area funeral home; you may be helping bring service person home because of a spouse's serious illness.

The Red Cross provides all the training you will need to make this an easy volunteer opportunity. Additionally, there are professional SAF personnel available 24/7 to assist if you need help. There are other local volunteers able to answer your questions. The staff of the local Red Cross chapter in Southern Pines is available if you get stuck. You are not alone!

Will you help by learning more about becoming a SAF volunteer? It's easy and it's important. It's your way to directly support our troops and their families. Call Steadman Meares at the Red Cross 910-692-8571.

(Author: Keith Junk, an SAF volunteer, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )