Contact Andrea Tomaszewski
248-224-5606

Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross Honors Vets and Military Families on Veterans Day

(DETROIT, November 11, 2009) – Today the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross salutes all veterans who have courageously served their country.

“Veterans have made great sacrifices for us, and that’s why one of our most important services at the Red Cross is to support and assist veterans,” said James Laverty, CEO of the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter.

Last Saturday, in a show of support to area veterans, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter participated in the Veterans Day parade in Detroit. In the coming weeks, 400 comfort kits containing personal hygiene items and warm socks will be provided to area veterans and active-duty military personnel, in a partnership with the Michigan Masons. Two hundred and fifty of the comfort kits will be given to veterans at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, and 150 kits will be given to military personnel at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

The Southeastern Michigan Chapter also assists veterans, their widows and dependents with processing claims for VA benefits. “Many times, they don’t have access to a printer, so we help them fill out the forms and send them in,” Laverty said.

The local Red Cross chapter also partners with local VA agencies, such as participating in the 2009 Stand Down for homeless veterans in October, where the Southeastern Michigan Chapter handed out comfort kits, socks and blankets. “The veterans were so grateful for them,” Laverty said.

As state lead for Red Cross military services in Michigan, the Southeastern Michigan Chapter coordinates workshops throughout the state, which are aimed at helping military personnel and their families cope with the stresses of deployment, as well returning home to civilian life.

For more information about Red Cross services to the military in Michigan, or how to get involved and help, call 313-833-8816, or log onto www.semredcross.org.

About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semtourofduty.org.

# # #