Armed Services
Service to the Armed Forces (843) 764 2323
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Counseling
- Get to know us Briefing and Services to Military Medical Facilities
Through its congressional charter, the Red Cross is mandated to provide emergency communication between the members of the armed forces and their families. Thus, the Chapter provides an around-the-clock, around-the-world network that allows service members to stay in touch with their families during births, deaths, serious illness and other family emergencies. In some situations, emergency financial assistance, referral and counseling, and other social services may be provided to members of the active military.
The Red Cross also provides these same services to the Community Based Military—Guard, Reserve, Recruiters, ROTC, Veterans and their family. We encourage all to know how to reach us before the emergency occurs and have basic information readily available.
The Carolina Lowcountry Chapter continues the long history of service to military personnel and their families. Our staff welcomes opportunity to speak to your group about our service to military and the families. Please contact the chapter at 764 2323 ext 372 if you would like more information or would like to volunteer in this line of service. This service is free to service families through the generosity of our financial donors supporting the programs of the Carolina Lowcountry Chapter.
Sending an Emergency Communication
The Carolina Lowcountry Chapter provides this service to service members residing in the Tri-County area as well as Colleton County. To reach a case worker to initiate an emergency message, call the chapter (843) 764-2323 and follow the voice prompts for ‘Emergency Assistance to Military dial “1” or you may reach a caseworker by calling 1-800-951-5600. When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, caseworkers will need the following information:
* Service member’s Full Name including Rank/rating
* Branch of Service
* Social Security Number
* Military Address
* Information about the deployed unit and the home base unit (for deployed service members only)
Family members will also need contact information so the Red Cross can verify information before sending the message to the service member. for example: name of doctor and phone number where he can be reached for a statement of illness and prognosis; or the name and phone number of funeral home in the event of death. Remember under current health privacy information HIPPA you must give the medical authorities permission to release medical information to Red Cross. If not done in advance, this may delay the verification process and message delivery.
For Family members living outside of the Carolina Lowcountry area should contact their LOCAL Red Cross Chapter. American Red Cross chapters are located in the local telephone book and on the American Red Cross web site at www.redcross.org/where/where.html.
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Emergency Financial Assistance
The Red Cross works with the military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance). This partnership helps to provide financial assistance for emergency travel that requires the presence of the service member of his or her family, burial of a loved one, or with assistance that cannot wait until the next business day.
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The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all military personnel and their families—active duty, National Guard and Reserves. Counseling, guidance, information, referrals and other social services are available through our worldwide network of chapters and offices on military installations. Contact the chapter 843-764 2323.
As more and more National Guard and Reserve units are called to full time duty status, counseling is becoming increasingly important to prepare the Guardsman and Reservists and their family members for the period of activation. Because members of the National Guard and Reserve typically live in civilian neighborhoods, they and their families frequently have difficulty accessing much-needed, military-related social services.
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Get to Know Us Briefing & Service to Military Medical Facilities
Through these services volunteers can make a difference by briefing military personnel and their families including retirees and veterans on Red Cross Services. The chapter also has volunteers at the Navy Health Clinic Charleston and at the Ralph H. Johnson Medical Center through the VA Voluntary Service program. If you wish to volunteer with Service the Armed Forces please visit the Volunteer and Youth Services to sign up for chapter orientation. Presentations are available for military units, families and veteran groups; please contact the chapter at (843) 764 2323, ext 372 to schedule.
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Resources: For more information on the American Red Cross services to military members and their families click here.
Other websites with information for military personnel and their families are: