Giving thanks to our military

In light of Veterans Day, I would like to take a minute to thank the men and women who proudly and bravely represent and defend our country. Thanks to those who fight and those who have fought in the past. Because of your service, I can safely and freely enjoy my life from the comfort of my home in the grand 'ol U.S. of A.

The American Red Cross has worked closely with the armed forces since the organization's inception in 1881. That work continues through the Service to Armed Forces Emergency Call Center which provides emergency communications for military and their families. This month, Louisville Area Chapter employee Barbara Locklear was named Caseworker of the Quarter for all four call centers (others include Fort Sill, OK, San Diego, CA, and Springfield, MA). These centers serve all U.S. military members around the world.

Louisville Area Chapter CEO Keith Alvey and Manager of the Louisville Call Center site Joann Risky present caseworker Barbara Locklear (center) with a certificate of recognition.

 

Barbara has only been with our call center since July, but in that short time she has managed nearly 1,500 cases, assiting soldiers and their families as well as National Guard and Reserve members and veterans. She has quickly become known for her excellent customer service, and we are so proud to have Barbara as part of our team!

In honor of our military members, the Louisville Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders is spearheading a local effort to collect signed holiday cards for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. During the month of November, Oxmoor Center and Mall St. Matthews are providing space for shoppers to particiapte.

Mall St. Matthews
Saturday, November 12
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
located near Dillard's for Women

Oxmoor Center
Saturday, November 19
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
located near Santa Claus in the Sears wing
If you are in the area on either of the dates, please stop by to help reach our local goal of 5,000 signed cards. For more information on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program, please visit http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=082dab0de3d64210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default. Follow the program on Twitter at #holidaymail.

Supporting our Armed Forces

Flemister (top, right) with call center staff and volunteers.

Last Friday, members of the Louisville Area Chapter's Community Emergency Services received a surprise visit from a military member recently assisted by LAC volunteer Nicholas Johnson. Staff Sergeant Anthony Flemister said he was able to return home for a family emergency in less than 72 hours with help from the LAC call center. Currently, Flemister is on active duty on Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. This is the second time he has been helped by the hardworking members of our Red Cross services to the armed forces.

Red Cross services to the armed forces assists military members and their families during emergencies. Last year the LAC call center assisted more than 160,000 military families across the United States and over 1,200 in the Louisville area.