American Red Cross - Wood County District Office

Armed Forces Emergency Services

Our Services

Working with the men and women of our armed forces and their families is, along with disaster relief and response, one of our priority services. Click on the link below to find out more about what military families can expect from the American Red Cross.

Financial Donations

Community members may make a financial donation to the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services or to our local chapter to support outreach to active duty military service members, Reservists, National Guardsmen and their families.

Help Our Troops Call Home

"Help Our Troops Call Home"
The Red Cross has partnered with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to offer Americans a way to support our troops serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The Help Our Troops Call Home Program allows people to purchase a Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card for U.S. troops stationed overseas. The program makes it easy for deployed military members to call home and stay in touch with family and friends. Hearing a familiar voice is one of the best ways to boost morale and feeling of well being for our troops.

With some 150,000 troops deployed overseas, there is still a great need for phone cards. As of October 2004, the AAFES "Help Our Troops Call Home" Program raised $433,175 to help marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers. These funds have been used to purchase 10,465 550-Unit Military Exchange Global Prepaid Phone cards and 1,252 AT&T Ship to Shore cards. This initiative offers phone cards that do not expire and do not add any additional charges or connection fees.

Each card costs $39 and provides more than two hours of call time from call center locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Cards can be sent to "any service member" who is deployed or hospitalized. Charitable partners, including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House, distribute the cards earmarked for "any service member."

Though the cards are widely sold by other retailers, AAFES offers the best value with lower rates and connection charges. To order the 550-Unit Military Exchange Prepaid Phone Card, visit the AAFES Web site https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx or call 800-527-2345.

Gifts from the Homefront

"Gifts from the Homefront"
Last year the Red Cross partnered with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) for another program, "Gifts from the Homefront." The program allows service members to purchase convenience items as well as necessities at PX and BX facilities around the world.

"Gifts from the Homefront" is a safe alternative to traditional care packages that place unnecessary strain on the military mail system or jeopardize security. The certificates can be used for merchandise already stocked at any AAFES facility around the world, including more than 50 stores throughout central and southwest Asia.

"Gifts from the Homefront" certificates can be purchased from AAFES by friends and families or groups and addressed to "any service member." Charitable partners including the Red Cross, USO, Air Force Aid Society and Fisher House then distribute the certificates. To order the certificates, visit the AAFES website http://www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm or call 877-770-4438.

Armed Forces Emergency Services

American Red Cross Military Family Resources
AAFES
Gifts from the Homefront
Support Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services
On the Ohio Homefront