Families of Deployed Troops Invited to Red Cross to Record Video E-mail to Loved Ones

Families of Deployed Troops Invited
to Red Cross to Record Video E-mail
to Loved Ones

News Release: November 24, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

Military families in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties are invited to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley to record a personal video e-mail message that will be sent free of charge to their loved ones currently deployed.

“Military Video Connection” was launched last March with support from PenTeleData and Service Electric Cable TV and Communications. The program uses a computer equipped with a video camera to record a three-minute video message which is then attached to an e-mail message and sent to the serviceperson’s e-mail account.

“The holidays are the most difficult time of year to be separated from family. Our Chapter is pleased to offer this program and the comfort it brings to our troops and their families in this area not only during the holidays, but also year-round,” said Cordelia Miller, who oversees the Armed Forces Emergency Services program at the local Red Cross. “In a matter of minutes, military personnel and their families can record and send a heartfelt message which can be viewed from anywhere in the world.”

Videotaping will be by appointment only and conducted at the Red Cross office, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, Pa. To set up an appointment, call the Red Cross at (610) 332-1589, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Following are the program requirements:

• Participants must be immediate family members such as a spouse, parents, children and siblings currently living in Lehigh, Northampton or Carbon counties.

• Military dependents are asked to bring their Uniformed Dependent Military Identification Card identifying the military member.

• Participants must have an e-mail address for the service member and an e-mail account of their own from which to send the message.

• There is a maximum of five people per videotape session.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley makes services available to more than 660,000 residents of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.