Services to the Armed Forces 

The American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program ensures that service members, veterans and their families have worldwide, around-the-clock access to timely and reliable comfort and support. In fiscal year 2009, the Greater Grand Rapids chapter completed 390 military cases, delivering emergency messages and financial support to military members and their families from our outlying area.

If you or a loved one serves, we can help you:

*Stay In Touch and Obtain Verification of Emergency Leave Information
Red Cross emergency communications services keep military personnel in touch with their families following the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, the birth of a service member's child or grandchild or when a family faces other emergencies.

Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers with making a decision regarding emergency leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able to come home during a family crisis.

*Secure Emergency Financial Assistance
The American Red Cross works under partnership agreements with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society to provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants 24/7/365. Types of assistance include financial assistance for emergency travel, household set-up, delayed or interrupted pay, etc.

*Obtain Counseling, Information, Referrals and Other Social Needs
The American Red Cross offers confidential services to all military personnel—active duty, National Guard and Reserves—and their families. Counseling, guidance, information, referrals and other social services are available through our worldwide network of chapters and offices on military installations.

If you are interested in serving the troops through our SAF program, please feel free to contact us.