On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the American Red Cross celebrated veterans and the sacrifices they’ve made. Their service to this country has inspired over 75 Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) employees and volunteers in the region 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.
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 and its volunteers support 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.
The Hero Care Center assists military families during medical emergencies or significant life events, ensuring service members receive emergency communication messages while deployed. The Hero Care Center facilitated more than 621,500 calls nationwide last year. Specialists verify events and coordinate with military commands to bring service members home.
Following are just a few stories of local military members and veterans who continue to exemplify the essence of service through the Red Cross.
From childhood blood transfusions to supporting her troops in times of crisis, the Red Cross has been a constant in Zahra Moutabikkir’s life. At the age of two, she battled a severe autoimmune disease, relying on life-saving blood transfusions. This experience sparked her lifelong connection with the American Red Cross. Today, Moutabikkir serves in the U.S. military, most recently holding the rank of Major at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in San Jose. In this role, she actively promotes the Red Cross’s vital services for military members and their families.
Crystal Sims was commissioned as an officer in the US Army for 14 years and served as Physical Therapist while she was on active duty until she was unable due to health reasons; but that didn’t stop her. Her passion to help others led her to join the Red Cross and volunteer at the Presidio Clinic in Monterey, CA. Working alongside military and civilian staff, Sims had the opportunity to provide guidance and mentorship, drawing from own her personal experience.
Renee Grossman spent two and a half years on Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Japan while her spouse was on active duty service. Looking for a way to experience the culture, make friends and give back something to the community, she started to volunteer with the American Red Cross through an office located on the air base.
To get involved as a volunteer, visit redcross.org/saf or download the Red Cross Hero Care app.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit them on Twitter at @RedCross.
