Red Cross Military Families Networking Group
Offers Coping Skills for Spending Holidays Apart, Crafts for Kids,
Toys for Tots Drop Off Spot and More

Newton, NJ, November 30, 2009 – In their continuing support of the US Armed Forces, the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross thanks not only veterans and active duty military, but also the families of our military heroes. We recognize the sacrifices of military families and commend their service to our community.

On Friday, December 4th Military Members and their families are invited to Red Cross Chapter Headquarters – 93 Spring Street, Newton at 7:00pm for a free Military Families Networking Group. This is a great time to share photos, mementos, letters and stories of your loved ones while gaining skills and strategies to cope with spending the holidays apart and for managing reintegration for families who have been reunited after deployment. A craft project will be available for children and holiday refreshments will be available. This is also an opportunity to tell the Red Cross what needs you have as a military family.

Resources available to military families are shared including, Red Cross grants for members of the U.S. Military, their immediate family members and veterans for free training in First Aid, CPR, Babysitter’s Training and even Pet First Aid. You will also find resources for legal services, medical insurance, recreation, phone cards for deploying family members and more.

The local Red Cross is also a drop off spot for Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the chapter between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday through November 11th. Toys can also be dropped off the evening of December 4th between 6:00pm and 9:00pm.

Military Families Are Never Alone in Sussex County! For more information on the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross located at 93 Spring Street in Newton contact (973) 579-1600, or visit the website at  www.sussexredcross.org. For questions regarding Service to the Armed Forces please contact Lauri Gill at the number above or email lgill@sussexredcross.org. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.