RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Military Support

  • Camille Harrison: New Kid on the Red Cross Block

    By Sukripa Shah

    During National Volunteer Week (April 18–24) we honor the 300,000+ volunteers who donate their time and energy to the American Red Cross, an organization whose workforce is 90% unpaid. This is one of a series of profiles you’ll see on the Red Cross Philly Blog. To learn more about exciting volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday. 

    Camille Harrison is an inspiration. She’s a Philly girl (well, she grew up in Montgomery County, so close enough) who cares a lot about paying it forward. She currently lives in North Carolina, where she’s pursuing her biology degree as a senior premed student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Camille happened upon a unique volunteer opportunity: The American Red Cross Hero Care Network. It was fortuitous: Ever since then, she has helped the Red Cross provide24/7 emergency communications and critical services to military members, veterans, and their families all over the world. Now in her ninth month with the Red Cross, Camille has provided critical virtual support to the Hero Care Network, Service to the Armed Forces, Emergency Follow-ups, and Client Surveys.

    As a relatively young volunteer, Camille has been a role model for other millennials, proving that anyone can make a difference—virtually or in person—at any age. Whether you’re still in school, just starting your career, or simply between jobs, the Red Cross has plenty of inspiring assignments to fit your schedule. You decide: A few hours at the computer or a few weeks at a disaster site both fill a valuable need.

    “My favorite memories are speaking with the families of service members and hearing their stories,” Camille says. “It touches my heart to see how thankful they are for the Red Cross for providing services in times of need. Especially during the pandemic, it is hard to reunite families in the case of an emergency.”

    Besides devoting her time to the Red Cross, she enjoys cooking, reading, and doing yoga. An avid fan Indian food, Indian music, and Bollywood movies, she hopes to visit India to experience the rich culture and, of course, to see one of the seven wonders of the world—the Taj Mahal.

    Primary image description: Picture of Red Cross volunteer Camille Harrison, a Black woman with her hair pulled back and wearing a business suit and pearl earrings. She is smiling at the camera as she sits outside on a sunny day.

  • Three Ways the Red Cross Empowers Children during Month of the Military Child

    By Marta Rusek

    June 20, 2018. Washington, DC. Development SAF Stock Photography Project 2018. Photo by Roy Cox/American Red Cross

    When someone serves in the American armed forces, they aren’t the only one making sacrifices – their family serves too, including the children. The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional hardships for service members and their families, including longer-than-usual deployments, spouses losing their jobs and then facing food and financial insecurity, and the loss of social supports that would normally be available to help nurture the children’s growth and development, like daycare, after-school activities, and time spent with grandparents. 

    April is Month of the Military Child, and the American Red Cross understands the importance of connecting military families with children with the resources they need to thrive, especially during the pandemic. Here are three ways we are empowering the children and families of service members throughout the year:

    • Virtual mental wellness education: Mental health professionals lead Red Cross classes online for children and their loved ones on a variety of topics, including strategies for coping with long periods of separation as a family and how to transition back into life at home after deployments.
    • Financial assistance: Families experiencing financial hardship can apply for financial support through the Red Cross, thanks to our collaboration with the Military Aid Societies. To get started, call Red Cross Hero Care Network toll-free at 1-877-272-7337.
    • Emergency connection: If the child or spouse of a service member experiences an emergency, their family can send an urgent message to the deployed parent through the Red Cross Hero Network. They can call the toll-free number at 1-877-272-7337, or send a message through the Red Cross Hero Care App.

    If you are a military parent that wants to connect with resources for your family, visit our Military Families page on the Red Cross website or download the Red Cross Hero Care App through your smartphone’s app store.

    Primary image description: A Black father dressed in his military uniform smiles as he hugs his young daughter outside on a sunny day.