Volunteer Christine Lawrence (right) receives an award on March 8 at the Celebration of Volunteers event for her work with the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program. She’s pictured with Jaime Boris, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services program manager. Photo by Donn Greenberg / American Red Cross
Christine Lawrence is a dedicated American Red Cross volunteer who takes particular pride in serving the armed forces. She’s usually the first volunteer to offer services to lead workshops or offer other regions help when they’re short-staffed. Christine’s programs’ participants often rave about her, and she’s described by Red Cross colleagues as warm, funny, and compassionate.
Christine is active with the Red Cross Armed Forces Resiliency Program, the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service, Disaster Mental Health Services, and the Regional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Her dedication to her volunteer work is so complete and her drive is so obvious, she’s a clear asset to the American Red Cross.
Christine says it was a mixture of her professional experience, an inward desire, and heavenly direction that led her to volunteer with the Red Cross, and more specifically, volunteer services with the armed forces. Christine explained, “my background includes working in different sectors relating to medical health, public health education, and management. I didn’t realize that, in each sector, I gravitated toward certain areas. One of those areas was advocating for individuals and armed forces. Recent medical situations I encountered surprisingly led me to the Red Cross during my own physical recovery.”
Numerous cherished memories keep Christine involved with the Red Cross. She shared that just a ‘Thank you, ma’am,’ from soldiers fulfills her work. Volunteering in response to disasters and training new volunteers with the Service to the Armed Forces program reminds Christine of who the American Red Cross is helping and that encourages her to serve with an open heart. She also described her work overseas as an extremely rewarding opportunity that allowed her to work with the military on a different level.
When asked about words of wisdom or advice for those considering volunteer work with the Red Cross, Christine said that she had hesitations of her own before falling in love with the organization. Her hesitation came from a fear of a new learning path, and she shared that she’s still learning with the Red Cross. She shared that there were times when she questioned her own professional abilities, but she encourages any new person considering volunteering with the Red Cross to embrace their hesitancy and allow that fear to be a walkway to embracing something new. Christine’s advice:
“Each one of us has gifts to brighten someone’s day who may be in need. Allow yourself the chance to do that and in return, your soul will smile.”
June 20, 2018. Washington, DC. Development SAF Stock Photography Project 2018. Photo by Roy Cox/American Red Cross
As a Red Cross blogger, I am driven by a sense of curiosity and in constant learning mode. During April 2024, I wrote a column about the Month of the Military Child in this space. When I look back at that article, I realize that I presented as lot of basic information and statistics about this month-long commemoration without making much of a local connection to our Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Red Cross’ service to vets and their families.
What SAF is Doing
In order to learn more about what the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) is doing for military children, I connected with Jaime Boris, Regional Program Manager –SAF/IS (International Services). Jaime has been with the Red Cross for the past four years in this position. She comes to the Red Cross from a strong non-profit management background with expertise in the area of service to veterans. It is also personal for Jaime. She has a number of family members who have served in the U.S. military. She was kind enough to give me an overview on the Red Cross’ involvement in providing services to military families and veterans.
Because the Philadelphia area does not have any major military installations, much of our local SAF services are concentrated on local veterans. Programs at our local Veteran’s Administration hospitals, through the Military Care Givers Network and Veteran’s Service Center are the flagship initiatives for our region. In addition to serving all branches of the Armed Forces, SAF supports the Pennsylvania National Guard and their families.
Ongoing Programs for the Military Child
Although April is the month which celebrates the resiliency and unique role of children in military families, the American Red Cross provides year-round services and support.
Some Facts and Figures
Without getting bogged down in statistical information, I think that it is important to know some basic facts about military-connected children:
About 2 million children in the United States have a parent or guardian serving in the active military and National Guard,
80 percent of military children attend public schools,
Military Children typically move every 2-3 years due to changes in parental assignments or deployments.
This means that military children may change schools 6-9 times during their K-12 education.
With such volatility in their living and educational situations, military-connected children may experience loneliness, confusion, sadness, anger, and behavioral issues.
Red Cross Behavioral Health Support
As the leader for SAF services in the SEPA region, Jaime Boris is justifiably proud of the Red Cross services provided in the areas of both social activities and behavioral health for military families The two biggest events take place at the Biddle Air Base in Horsham, PA. (Note: the Biddle Air Force Base was formerly known as Willow Grove Naval Air Station.)
Family Day takes place on June 8, 2025 and the annual Holiday party in December. Additionally, both pre- and post-deployment ceremonies bring families together to send off and greet loved ones during deployment and returning home. Local Red Crossers serve snacks and emotional support for both military children and their families.
The Red Cross has instituted a structured, robust Behavioral Health Program. Using licensed psychologists, mental health therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, and nurses, all Red Cross volunteers. SAF helps military children through the good and bad times.
Keeping Military Families Connected
In addition to other important programming, SAF provides Emergency Communications Messaging (ECM) via its Hero Care Center 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. The center is accessible through an 800 number and has been established via Congressional Charter in the early days of the formation of the Services to the Armed Forces Line Of Service.
The ECM is there to link families with both good news and bad — for example, the birth of a new baby, the illness or death of a loved one. The ECM staff also verifies the critical information which is passed on to the command of the person being contacted via ECM. Based upon this third-party validation, the military command makes the decision of whether the family emergency warrants a home leave to care for the family issue.
2025 Military Child Themes & Activities
The theme for 2025 is “Military Children: Brave, Fearless, and Resilient.” It honors the sacrifices and the contributions of military children to their families. “Purple Up! Day” is the day on which military installations, along with community partners like the Red Cross, may host family activities and ceremonies with an emphasis on children.
Purple Up! Day is an annual tradition at military bases around the country since 1989. It is observed on different dates depending on local preferences. The color purple is a color of unity the for the U.S. armed forces – a combination of Air Force Blue, Army Green, Marine Red, and Coast Guard Blue, White and Red. Children and families wear purple tee shirts and decorate activity spaces on bases with purple items and balloons.
The American Red Cross salutes the Month of the Military Child in April and provides services to military children and their families all year-round. “Thank you for your service,” certainly applies to the youngest members of military families too!
Visit our website for more information about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces for families.
American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteer Mary Harper. Submitted photo
Clara Barton was a trailblazer who transformed her compassion into action, founding an organization that has brought comfort and relief to Americans suffering from disasters or serving on the battlefield. Today, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region continues to honor Clara’s legacy by recognizing individuals who embody her spirit of leadership and commitment. Volunteer Mary Harper is a shining example of dedication to service who leads like Clara.
Mary’s journey has always been one of compassion and purpose. From her college days as a psychology major, volunteering in Appalachia, curating job opportunities and rolling up her sleeves in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mary has consistently chosen to be where help was most needed. But it was after retiring from her career with the City of Philadelphia that Mary truly stepped into the legacy of Clara Barton.
In her first year as a Red Cross volunteer, Mary immersed herself in both Disaster Services and Military Support Services, helping those navigating some of life’s toughest storms. Yet, it was her personal connection to the struggles of our nation’s veterans that ultimately shaped her purpose.
Mary’s brother, Willy Harper, served in Vietnam during a time when understanding and resources for veterans were scarce. Like so many others, Willy faced the invisible wounds of war. His struggle with PTSD led to his disappearance and, tragically, his passing before Mary could reconnect with him. Despite the heartbreak, Mary dedicated herself to ensuring that other veterans and their families never feel alone in their journey.
Today, Mary channels her passion into the Red Cross’s Services to the Armed Forces. She facilitates monthly Behavioral Health workshops, equipping veterans with coping skills to navigate the challenges of civilian life. Mary coordinates the creation and distribution of Comfort Kits, providing essentials to veterans in need. Mary also hosts Yellow Ribbon events, preparing service members and their families for the realities of deployment and educating them about vital resources like the Hero Care Network, which provides emergency connections for military families.
Mary’s commitment doesn’t stop there. Each year, she marches in the Philadelphia Veterans Day parade with her daughters and grandchildren, proudly celebrating those who have served and inspiring the next generation to embrace the humanitarian spirit.
Through her tireless efforts, Mary Harper is more than a volunteer—she is a lifeline, a mentor, and a source of hope for those who have given so much for our country. Her work reminds us of the profound impact one person can make when they choose to lead with compassion and purpose.
The Red Cross salutes Mary Harper for her extraordinary dedication to our armed forces and their families. In honoring her, we are reminded of Clara Barton’s words: “You must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it.” Mary has lived these words, and in doing so, she carries Clara’s legacy forward, making the world a better place for veterans, their families, and all of us.
To learn more about how the Red Cross supports service members, veterans and their families, visit the Support Military Families section of our website.
Editor’s Note: In commemoration of Red Cross Month and Women’s History Month, we are publishing a series of #LeadLikeClara profiles featuring local women volunteer leaders who emulate the leadership characteristics of Red Cross founder Clara Barton.
Since February commemorates Black History Month, our blog is spotlighting the ACES Veterans Museum in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. The location of the museum is significant because the historic Parker Hall Building served as a USO canteen for Black military members during World War II. Due to the segregation practices of the era, Black servicemen and women were restricted from whites-only USO locations. After World War II, the building was then converted into a neighborhood grocery store and mixed office space. The building finally fell into disrepair and had been vacant from 2010 until it reopened as the ACES Veterans Museum in the Winter, 2023.
Dr. A.V. Hankins, museum president, connects with history
As one of the office occupants at 5801 Germantown Ave., physician A.V. Hankins ran her medical practice in the building until it closed. Interestingly, Dr. Hankins is a military veteran herself. She later found out about Parker Hall’s connection to history in serving the Black members of the military during World War II. Though community and veteran groups fundraising, Dr. Hankins was able to realize her dream of honoring not only Black Veterans, but also Asian, Latino and Native American vets, acknowledging all people of color who have served.
In an interview, Dr. Hankins explained, “When we created ACES, we wanted to include all minorities to make sure that the story was told.” Notably, the Museum has become a community hub for vets from the Vietnam era as well as Gulf Wars up to the present day.
Dr. A. V. Hankins (left) with Red Cross volunteer Mary Harper at the ACES Veterans Museum.Submitted photo
The Red Cross/Service to the Armed Forces connection
For over a year, Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer Mary Harper has provided Red Cross support to the ACES Veterans Museum. Her introduction to the museum came nearly by accident as she walked throughout her historic Germantown neighborhood. Mary reached out and has provided access to veterans programming at Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Hospital and Veterans Multi-Service Center.
Mary has also participated in museum activities as the face of the Red Cross. She has a close working relationship with Dr. Hankins to provide visibility for the Red Cross’ Hero Care Network services and a linkage to other like-minded folks in the Philadelphia-area veterans community.
“ACES has achieved (institutional) certification. It has a Red Cross ID card in its collection,” Mary shared. “When (Red Cross) regional headquarters moved from Chestnut Street to the Spring Garden Campus, other Red Cross artifacts were donated to the museum.”
Why not visit the ACEs Museum during Black History Month and learn the stories of men and women who served our country with such distinction? Be on the lookout for further Red Cross collaborations with ACES Museum in the near future
Red Cross Southeastern PA CEO Jennifer Graham and U.S. Air Force veteran Ralph Galati stand with the PIO/MIA Chair of Honor during a rededication ceremony on Dec. 18, 2024 in Philadelphia. Photo by Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross
The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region rededicated its POW/MIA Chair of Honor last month after moving it to the lobby of the Spring Garden Campus in Philadelphia. The chair was originally placed and dedicated at the former Humanitarian Services building at 21st and Chestnut streets in 2016.
POW/MIA stands for Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. It’s a movement that has come to represent the country’s commitment to honoring those who have not returned from war and the ongoing efforts to account for them. More than 80,000 American service personnel are still missing dating back to World War I.
The POW/MIA Chair of Honor program started with Rolling Thunder, Inc. to recognize the more than 1,500 service members who are missing in action from the Vietnam War. The chairs are left empty to symbolize that there is still a place for the soldiers, even though they are not physically present.
Local Marine Corps veteran Patrick Hughes introduced the program to then-Red Cross Regional CEO Judge Renee Hughes, and a chair was placed on Nov. 10, 2016. It is one of more than 130 that Patrick has helped place. You can find chairs in a variety of locations across the country, including sports venues, colleges and universities, state capitols and even the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center.
An up-close look at the POW/MIA Chair of Honor in the lobby of the Red Cross’ Spring Garden Campus. Photo by Maxine Mayer / American Red Cross
Having a POW/MIA Chair of Honor placed at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Red Cross headquarters underscores the organization’s longstanding commitment to military personnel and their families, including prisoners of war.
In World War II, the Red Cross sent more than 27 million packages to POWs in Europe, which included food, medical supplies, hygiene items and clothing. Some of those packages were assembled by volunteers right here in Philadelphia!
During the Korean War, the Red Cross helped facilitate prisoner exchanges between the United Nations and North Korean forces. And during the Vietnam War, the Red Cross sent more than 20,000 letters to POWs from their families and participated in the Write Hanoi campaign.
Like Patrick, local Air Force veteran Ralph Galati participated in both the original dedication and rededication of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor at the Red Cross in Philadelphia.
“The Red Cross to me is meaningful because I was a recipient of Red Cross services in 1972,” Ralph shared during his remarks.
In a Red Cross Philly Blog story from 2021, Ralph explained that the Red Cross helped get a message to him about his daughter’s birth while he was stationed in Southeast Asia. A week later, he was shot down over North Vietnam and was captured and held as a prisoner of war for 14 months in a series of Hanoi prison camps.
At the time of Ralph’s capture, the POW/MIA movement in the U.S. was gaining momentum. The POW/MIA flag was created, and a group of students began making and distributing bracelets engraved with the names of POWs.
“In 1971-72, they had this thing called a POW/MIA bracelet where you’d pay $2.50 and you wore the bracelet until they came home,” Ralph explained.
“I was shot down nearing the end of the war – 1972. Some of the POWs had been there since 64, 68,” he said. “When we told them this flag had been created and these bracelets had been created, it was a big morale booster.”
Some of those bracelets came to have Ralph’s name engraved on them.
“I will still, to this day, 52 years later, meet people who say ‘I have your bracelet’ from around the country,” he said.
Air Force veteran and former Red Cross Board member Ralph Galati (right) presents Marine Corps veteran Patrick Hughes with a Red Cross challenge coin. Patrick first introduced the POW/MIA Chair of Honor program to the region. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross
The POW/MIA Chair of Honor continues those early efforts to bring attention to the soldiers who are still missing. The chair bears the same emblem as the PIO/MIA flag – a white silhouette of a prisoner of war before a guard tower and barbed wire on a black background. “POW/MIA” appears above the silhouette and the words “YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN” appear below.
At the Red Cross Spring Garden Campus, the chair is placed in the main lobby. It sits between the American flag and the POW/MIA flag and is roped off to ensure it remains empty. Above the chair hangs a plaque that reads, “You Are Not Forgotten. Since World War I, more than 92,000* U.S. service personnel are unaccounted for. This unoccupied seat is dedicated to the memory of these brave men and women and to the sacrifices each made in serving this country.”
About the POW/MIA movement and flag
The POW/MIA movement loosely started in the late 1960s by families of U.S. military personnel to bring attention to the mistreatment of captured U.S. soldiers in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The movement was formalized with the incorporation of the National League of POW/MIA Families in 1970.
Commissioned by the League in 1971, the POW/MIA flag is the movement’s most recognizable symbol. It was flown over the White House for the first time on National POW/MIA Recognition Day (established as the third Friday in September) in 1982.
In 1990, Congress passed a law designating the POW/MIA flag “as a symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation.”
In 2019, the National POW/MIA Flag Act was signed into law, requiring the POW/MIA flag to be flown on certain federal properties, including the U.S. Capitol Building, on all days the American flag is flown.
The POW/MIA flag and movement have come to represent the nation’s commitment to resolving the fates of Americans who are missing or unaccounted for beyond Vietnam to include all wars.
In 2024, extreme weather mounted an overwhelming toll on people in the U.S., who relied on the American Red Cross for relief and care as they faced the country’s second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters ever recorded.
This year’s 24 major climate and weather events — each with losses exceeding $1 billion — are topped only by last year’s record-breaking 28, and the year isn’t over yet. To help, over 50 Red Cross volunteers from Southeastern Pennsylvania have been part of teams responding nonstop to provide shelter, food and other assistance to tens of thousands of people reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton — all while continuing to care for families still recovering from 2023’s extreme disasters.
“First-hand, I’ve seen the devastation that disasters have caused families this year — and extreme weather shows no signs of slowing down,” said Jennifer Graham, regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Whether a crisis happens in our backyard or a community across the country, neighbors are counting on us to help ensure they don’t face it alone. Please join us by making a donation of any size or rolling up a sleeve to give blood or platelets.”
This Giving Tuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. People can also give the gift of time through volunteering.
NEED FOR FOOD IN 2024 NEARLY TRIPLES 5-YEAR NATIONAL AVERAGE
Nationally, the scope of disasters increased this year’s demand for necessities like food and emergency lodging — which both exceeded the annual average for the past five years. In fact, this year’s more than 7 million meals and snacks, served by Red Cross volunteers, nearly tripled that average.
Locally, the Red Cross has responded to more than 400 disasters this year in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. This includes several large apartment building fires in Philadelphia that displaced hundreds of people. Red Cross volunteers were there to provide shelter, food and financial assistance to help these local families get back on their feet. And on a national scale, dozens of volunteers from Southeastern Pennsylvania responded to help during large national disasters such as hurricanes in the Southeast and wildfires along the West Coast.
Philadelphia Red Cross volunteer Randy Miller recently returned from North Carolina, where she spent 14 days serving communities that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene’s destruction. She says it was her first national deployment with the American Red Cross, where she was “supporting the emotional needs of not just the people who are in the shelters, but the community as a whole.”
RESPONDING TO OTHER HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
This year, the Red Cross addressed people’s urgent needs in other ways too:
BLOOD DONATIONS Blood donors have given nearly 100,000 units of blood in Southeastern Pennsylvania this year, helping overcome blood drive cancellations due to the country’s severe weather and heat, including a dozen drives locally. This support was critical to the 38 local hospitals that receive Red Cross blood products. In addition, as the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross helped ensure patients continued accessing lifesaving treatment during major disasters by pre-positioning blood products near areas likely to be impacted — including in Georgia and Florida for Hurricane Helene and again just days later for Hurricane Milton. To celebrate 30 years of FRIENDS, all who come to give blood or platelets through December 8 will receive two pairs of custom FRIENDS + Red Cross socks, while supplies last, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. See RedCrossBlood.org/Friends for details.
LIFESAVING TRAINING
With emergency rooms experiencing a spike in heat illness visits amid the country’s extreme temperatures this past summer, Red Cross instructors empowered millions of people — including over 50,000 in Southeastern Pennsylvania — this year with vital first aid, CPR and AED skills to help them prevent and respond to heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
MILITARY FAMILIES
Through our 24/7, global Hero Care Network, local Red Cross workers supported military members, veterans and their families in Southeastern Pennsylvania this year through over 1,500 services, such as connecting deployed service members and loved ones during family emergencies.
Visit redcross.org/philly for more information about how the Red Cross helped people in the Delaware Valley in 2024.
Slideshow photos of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross
During the 30 days of National Veterans and Military Families Month and every day, the American Red Cross stands as a steadfast ally to those who serve, embracing their sacrifices with gratitude and unwavering support. From our earliest deployment alongside the military during the Spanish-American War, our Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) has been an integral part of our mission, embodying compassion, resilience, and honor. Yet, the breadth of our commitment often remains a hidden gem—an enduring legacy of care for service members, veterans, and their families.
This year, the Red Cross proudly joined thousands of participants and organizations at the landmark Eleventh Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival. The event, held against the iconic backdrop of Philadelphia, became a living celebration of heroism and community spirit, with over 8,000 attendees rallying to honor the dedication of our nation’s veterans.
Red Crossers in Action: A Parade of Gratitude
Guided by the passion of veterans and dedicated Red Cross staff and volunteers, a proud team of approximately 20 Red Crossers marched the vibrant parade route, carrying our iconic banners and sharing smiles, stories, and solidarity with the crowd. The mile-long procession began on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and ended just past the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval. Here, Red Cross volunteers welcomed veterans and families to an information table, offering essential resources and unwavering support.
In Southeastern Pennsylvania alone, the Red Cross delivered over 2,700 vital services to veterans and military families last year. These contributions reflect our unwavering promise to stand beside them, from the challenges of active duty to the transitions of post-service life. Nationwide, our SAF teams touched nearly half a million lives, extending care, guidance, and connection. Impressively, Red Cross efforts also account for about 40% of the blood donations collected across the country, directly impacting military communities and beyond.
A Legacy of Support, a Future of Commitment
The Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival stands as a glowing testament to the unity, respect, and gratitude that bind us as a nation. For the American Red Cross, Veterans Day is not merely a moment to reflect but a continual call to action—honoring heroes, empowering their families, and ensuring they never face challenges alone.
Through every handshake, every smile exchanged, and every service rendered, the Red Cross reaffirms its deep-rooted dedication to the men and women who have given so much. Because supporting our heroes is more than our mission—it’s our promise, every single day.
Let us continue to honor, serve, and uplift those who inspire us all. To learn more about how the American Red Cross supports service members, veterans, and their families, visit the Support Military Families section of our website. Together, we honor. Together, we serve. Together, we are stronger.
How the Red Cross Makes a Difference
From enlistment to veteran status, the American Red Cross offers essential services that address the unique challenges faced by military personnel and their families:
Emergency Communications: Our Hero Care Network operates 24/7, delivering verified emergency messages across the globe to connect families in critical moments.
Deployment Support: Red Cross workshops and emotional support tools empower families to navigate the uncertainties of deployment, fostering resilience and connection.
Veterans Services: Our dedicated volunteers uplift veterans at VA hospitals and clinics, offering companionship, morale-building activities, and guidance on benefits and appeals.
Information and Referrals: Through our extensive chapter network, veterans gain access to confidential support and referrals to local and national resources, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Hero Care App: This mobile app provides easy access to emergency and non-emergency Red Cross services, ensuring help is always just a tap away. Download the app by visiting any app store or texting GETHEROCARE to 90999.
Danielle Spencer at the Philadelphia Veterans Parade on Sunday,, Nov. 10. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross
Danielle Spencer’s life story is a profound reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. This Veterans Day, we honor her journey and unwavering dedication—to her country, to fellow veterans, and to humanity.
When Danielle shared her story with me, “resilience” was the word that stayed with me. Her life has been punctuated by powerful moments, each testing her courage and bringing her back to her deeper purpose of helping others.
One of the earliest of these moments was 9/11. Danielle recalls being in high school ROTC class, watching with her peers as the events unfolded on live television. That day, she made a life-changing decision to join the military, a decision that was not only brave but also a testament to her courage.
Over six years as a Patriot Missile specialist in the U.S. Army, Danielle served in Korea, Kuwait, and stateside. In some deployments, she was able to interact with local culture and people and grew to appreciate and care for them. In other situations, she was confronted with realities that most civilians can’t imagine. She also endured the personal hardship of being far from family, particularly during her mother’s experience back home in Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.
Danielle Spencer with a Patriot Missile on deployment. Submitted photo
Returning to civilian life presented its own challenges. At that time, veterans were left to navigate the transition without the specialized support that would later emerge. PTSD wasn’t yet well understood, and very little was in place to help vets acclimate to civilian life. Danielle struggled to find her footing for several years until she connected with the VA just as they were beginning to develop programs for veterans facing these issues. With their support, Danielle started her journey toward healing, rediscovering hope, and, eventually, daring to dream of a new path forward.
With a fresh sense of purpose, Danielle pursued her degree in Business Administration from Temple University. Determined to turn her own experiences into a force for good, her first role after college was with the Women’s Veterans Center in Philadelphia. Here, Danielle found herself at a new crossroads. Her lived experience gave her both the empathy and insight to offer meaningful support to female veterans in their journeys, but she wanted to do more.
As Danielle’s vision expanded, so did her mission. She was drawn to the American Red Cross, an organization that had been there for her family at several crucial moments. Today, Danielle works with Red Cross Donor Services in Philadelphia, where her team supports the critical mission of collecting and delivering lifesaving blood supplies with precision and compassion. Her work is not just a job, but a vital service that impacts lives. But she doesn’t stop there; she says, “I love my job, and I just want to keep helping people.”
Danielle Spencer with Red Cross SEPA mascot Fred Cross. Submitted photo.
With that caring spirit, she continues volunteering tirelessly with the Red Cross, supporting veterans through various events and initiatives. For example, she walked with the Red Cross at this year’s Veterans Day parade—her presence celebrates service and perseverance.
Danielle’s journey reminds us that resilience isn’t a single trait, it’s a series of choices and acts of courage. Each challenge brought her closer to her purpose. Her dedication to giving back and using her own journey to uplift others shows us that we all have something unique to contribute and something meaningful to offer from our own life stories. When speaking of volunteer work, she encourages others to “take the plunge; it might change your life.”
This Veterans Day, let Danielle’s story inspire us to find ways to serve, give back, and embody resilience. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s ability to overcome challenges. We honor her and every veteran who has given so much.
Red Cross graphic – Honoring service and dedication.
This Veterans Day, the American Red Cross is celebrating veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made. Their service to this country inspires over 4,300 Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) employees and volunteers across the country to provide a continuum of care to service members, veterans, their caregivers and their families.
Through every phase of duty, service members and their families face a unique, sometimes daunting set of challenges – like reaching a loved one on a military vessel at sea or supporting a veteran living with depression. Last year in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Red Cross provided 2,528 services for service members and their families.
Through the Hero Care Network, the Red Cross connects service members, veterans and their families to free and confidential assistance any day, anytime. This includes facilitating emergency communication messages, facilitating financial assistance, critical community services and more.
By focusing on the whole health of service members, the Red Cross ensures that they receive the care and support they need to thrive both during and after their service. The Red Cross supports whole health by providing a range of services that address the physical, mental, and emotional needs of service members, veterans and their families. This includes behavioral health workshops, hospital visits, and caregiver-peer support programs.
From the first day of enlistment, service members and their families are eligible for Red Cross assistance, including:
Emergency Communications – The Red Cross Hero Care Center is available 24/7 to deliver verified messages across the world when there is an emergency at home.
Deployment Services – The Red Cross offers a variety of workshops, tools and support services to help service members and their families deal with practical and emotional challenges.
Services for Veterans– Red Cross volunteers serve in Veterans Administration (VA) and military hospitals to provide comfort, build morale, encourage volunteerism, and assist with benefits information and appeals.
Information Referral– Through our network of about 250 local chapters, the Red Cross provides confidential services and connections with local, state, and national resources across the nation and on 35 military installations worldwide.
Hero Care App– The free Hero Care App helps users identify and access both emergency and non-emergency Red Cross services from anywhere in the world. The app can be downloaded from our website, by visiting any app store, or by texting GETHEROCARE to 90999.
To access Red Cross services or to get involved as a volunteer, visit redcross.org/saf or download the Red Cross Hero Care app.
American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces continues the tradition of founder Clara Barton by placing flags on the graves of military veterans at two local cemeteries to commemorate Memorial Day. After the Civil War, Barton led the effort to mark the graves of 13,000 fallen soldiers in Andersville, Georgia. Photo slide shows from the two local events are included below.
The Woodlands, Philadelphia
The first flag placing event was held on May 4th at the Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia. Established in 1840 as a Victorian Cemetery and Arboretum, the Woodlands was designated a National Historic Landmark District in recognition of its unique history and rich resources.. This gem of Philadelphia Parks is hidden near the VA Hospital in University City. Veterans interned here served our country in conflicts since the Civil War.
The Red Cross provides support to our U.S. military community at every step of their careers — from the time a service member takes their oath to navigating life as a veteran and each event in between. You can find American Red Cross support of military communities across the globe at military hospitals, on installations locally and overseas and through local chapter offices in every state.
Last year, the Red Cross delivered 2,354 services for military members, veterans and their families in Southeastern Pennsylvania.Visit our website to learn more about our work.
