Military Families

Attention: A new Red Cross military assistance program has been put into place. For more information call the chapter at 239-278-3401. Read below to see if you or a family member may qualify.

Families of military personnel deployed, or preparing for deployment within 120 days, to Afghanistan or Iraq

Military personnel recently returning from deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq and their families

Military personnel injured as a result of deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq and their families

Families of those killed in action during deployment to or training in Afghanistan or Iraq

Individual augmentees or others deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan without a typical support structure and their families

Welcome Jeremy Gentile, Service to the Armed Forces Coordinator

 

Army reservist, former Marine joins Lee County Red Cross staff
New position will coordinate increasing armed forces services

Jeremy GentileFORT MYERS, July 13 – The American Red Cross of Lee County is proud to announce the hiring of Jeremy Gentile, who will fill the newly created position of Service to the Armed Forces Coordinator. In this part-time position, Gentile will focus on volunteer recruitment, military outreach and support to local military families as well as handle financial assistance and communications with service-related individuals worldwide.
Gentile comes to the Red Cross will 12 years of military experience including an 8-year history with the United States Marine Corps. He is currently a member of the United States Army serving as an inactive reservist.
  “I’ve been on the other side of things, getting phone calls from the Red Cross about a family member who was dying or ill, and I always wanted to be on the side making the calls, helping someone out,” Gentile said.
The Lee County Red Cross has seen an increase in support to active duty, retired and veteran military members and their families. Gentile’s military history will help the chapter further improve and expand its services to the armed forces.
The American Red Cross links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis.  Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross quickly sends emergency communications to deployed service members on behalf of their family.  Military members can have peace of mind knowing that when they are on a mission, in training or stationed far from home-and leaving cell phones and emails behind-they are still connected to home.
While providing service to 1.4 million active duty military personnel and their families, the Red Cross also reaches out to more than 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families living in nearly every community in America.

Join veteran’s families

 

Join veteran’s families to gain support through each other and with experts in fields that assist with dealing with challenges and provide guidance/resources for you and your family.

Meal, movie gift cards, etc. and babysitting provided.

Location:  Perkins Family Restaurant (meeting room) 12300 S. Cleveland Ave. (41 and Crystal), Ft Myers.

 

Second Thursday – Monthly - 6pm in 2009

Please RSVP at American Red Cross office at 278-3401/email- chapter@arclcc.org
    (American Red Cross is a neutral/ non governmental non-profit)
   
Attendance limited to veterans and/or families at this time.

Services for the Military

Today's American Red Cross is keeping pace with the changing military. Using the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross allows military members stationed all over the world to send messages to loved ones back home during emergency or other important events. These communications are delivered around-the-clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

While serving 1.4 million active duty personnel, the Red Cross also reaches out to the 1.5 million members of the National Guard and the Reserves who reside in nearly every local community in America.

Hundreds of Red Cross chapters brief departing service members and their families regarding available support services and explain how the Red Cross may assist them during the deployment. Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications that link them with their families back home, access to financial assistance, counseling and assistance to veterans.

Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces personnel work in nearly 900 chapters in the United States, on 79 military installations around the world and with our troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Emergency Communications Services

American Red Cross communication services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of a family member or other important events, such as the birth of a child. The Red Cross sends messages quickly, anywhere in the world, including ships at sea, embassies and to isolated military units. The information or verification in a message assists the service member's commanding officer in making a decision regarding emergency leave.

Contacting the Red Cross to Send an Emergency Message

Active duty service members stationed in the United States and their immediate family members can call the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Service Centers for help seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free telephone number is available through base or installation operators and from local on-base Red Cross offices.

Other family members who do not reside in the service members' household, members of the National Guard and Reserves, retirees and civilians may access Red Cross services in Lee County by calling (239) 278-3401.

Overseas personnel stationed on military installations should call base or installation operators or the on-base Red Cross offices. At overseas deployment sites, contact the American Red Cross deployed staff. When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, please have ready the following information which will speed the process of sending your message:

  • Service Member's Full Name
  • Rank/Rating Branch of Service
  • Social Security Number

Financial Assistance: Available, with approval from the appropriate military aid society, to active or retired military members in the area.

Information in regards to the individual needs, justifiable budget and verified expenses are items necessary to be considered for assistance through the Military Aid Societies. An American Red Cross of Lee County Case Manager will work with the member to collect all necessary documentation for thorough consideration of financial assistance through the appropriate Military Aid Society.

The American Red Cross of Lee County is assessing the need for a military support group for families of active servicemen stationed around the world. If you are interested in a support group, please contact our Executive Director or AFES Chair at 278-3401.

Information in regards to the individual needs, justifiable budget and verified expenses are items necessary to be considered for assistance through the Military Aid Societies. An American Red Cross of Lee County Case Manager will work with the member to collect all necessary documentation for thorough consideration of financial assistance through the appropriate Military Aid Society.

Military Support of
Lee Memorial Health System
343-9690

Items needed on a regular basis for our troops currently deployed overseas:

  1. White socks
  2. Toilet paper
  3. Ramon noodles – chicken is one flavor preferred so soldier can put barbeque sauce on it for breakfast
  4. Meat in pouches: tuna, chicken, salami, beef jerky, pepperoni
  5. Lip balm/chap stick
  6. Suntan Lotion
  7. Snack packs: fruit, pudding, cheese and crackers
  8. Bubble gum/hard candy

Locations accepting donations:

  1. American Red Cross – 6310 Techster Blvd #7, Ft Myers 33966, 278-3401.
  2. Associates in Cardiac Care – 8960 Colonial Center Dr #302, FM 33905  343-9690 (MAIN OFFICE
  3. Cape Coral Hospital – Human Resources  (south end of Hospital near doctor’s offices) – Benefits, 772-6774.
  4. Fountain Court/College Parkway – Pat Dolce, System Press & Publication, 454-8766.
  5. Gulfcoast Hospital – Elaine, Administration, 1st floor, 343-0430
  6. HP and the Lee Physician Group - Vicki Lane, LPG Administration, Medical Plaza Building – 2nd floor, 985-3510.
  7. Lee Memorial Hospital – Marty or June in Central Services, 3rd Floor, 336-6953.
  8. Santa Barbara Campus – Diann Aviles, Central Business Office, 242-6017.

Any questions?  Call Kim Gaide at 343-9690.   Thanks for YOUR support!