What You Can do to Help

Here are some ways that Americans can show support for U.S. servicemen and women:
• Send a special e-mail message to men and women in the military by going online to: http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/About.html. This is the online version of "Operation Dear Abby" which for years allowed individuals to send messages of gratitude to troops via regular mail, but was suspended last year amid security concerns.
• Visit Veterans Administration hospitals and nursing homes, feed the homeless or volunteer for other community outreach programs. Many service members who normally do this volunteer work are now deployed.
• Request local military members to speak at school events, while encouraging students to learn more about America's military.
• Those who know military families can offer support by reaching out to those families with loved ones deployed overseas.
•Military Phone Card Donation Program

If there are any questions, please call the American Red Cross of Portage County at 330-296-9991.

For more infomation about Services to the Armed Forces.Click here

The American Red Cross is the civilian organization designated by the United States government as the official liaison between service members, their families and the military. The Red Cross provides emergency communication services to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Red Cross services to military families are provided free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you live in Portage County, Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces are provided by the Summit County Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross in Akron, Ohio. They are equipped to verify the situation and relay an emergency leave request, if necessary, to proper military authorities. For more information, or to learn how you can help, please call 330-535-2549 or email Jamie Bricker, SAF/International Specialist.