Bluegrass Area Red Cross

Service to the Armed Forces

Need Help? Call the Bluegrass Area Chapter at (859) 253-1331.

As the only Congressionally chartered organization tasked to assist our military and their families, the American Red Cross provides emergency messaging twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, the Bluegrass Area Chapter provides a variety of services for veterans, military personnel and their families. In keeping with the Red Cross mission statement, this department helps military personnel and their families prevent, prepare for, and respond to family problems related to service in the Armed Forces.

Uses the latest in computer and telecommunications technology to be the around-the-clock, around-the-world emergency communication link between military members and their families.
Communicates required, independent, and confidential verification of emergency situations to military authorities for leave requests.
Provides financial assistance in emergency situations and other family needs in coordination with the military aid societies.
Helps military members and their families cope with separation and other special needs by providing neutral, impartial, and confidential assistance, counseling, and information regarding community resources.
Hosts monthly "Get to Know Us Before You Need Us" networking and resource sharing meetings for anyone with a loved one in the Armed Forces.
Assists and informs veterans about Department of Veterans Affairs issues.
Provides a number of support services to patients in the VA Medical Center through the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS).
In FY 2008, had 517 cases, delivering 411 emergency messages, and providing more than 1,800 individual services for our clients.
Over 30 military units are currently covered by the Bluegrass Area Chapter.

Contact Service to the Armed Forces

Soon after her husband, Tim, was deployed, Michelle found out she was pregnant. She went to see her doctor for a routine visit, and he became concerned when he discovered she had very high blood pressure. She was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a condition that develops during the second half of pregnancy, and was put in the hospital for four days. During this time, she managed to contact her husband's unit and they told her to call the Red Cross. Michelle then talked to Susan Temmermand, Service to the Armed Forces Coordinator, who sent a message informing Tim that Michelle was in the hospital. Shortly thereafter, Michelle was put on bed rest when she was 30 weeks along in her pregnancy. Another message was sent to Tim asking him to come home. "It was amazing how quickly everything happened," Michelle said. The request for Tim's leave was sent on January 23, he came home on the 25th, and baby Tyler was born on January 30.