Ideas include prepaid calling cards, gift certificates and long-distance messaging

St. Louis, Monday, December 11, 2006 - In time for the holiday season, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is reaching out to the community with unique gift ideas for deployed military service members. To avoid the security challenges posed by sending items overseas, the Red Cross is highlighting unique alternatives that include prepaid calling cards, gift certificates and long-distance messaging.

"This time of year, the Red Cross receives many calls from the public regarding ways to send best wishes to members of the armed forces," said Nicole Holtgrefe, director of preparedness and client services for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "Each of these great options provides a way to support communication during the holiday season."

Help Our Troops Call Home:
The "Help Our Troops Call Home" program allows for the purchase of an AT&T Prepaid Phone Card for deployed U.S. troops. The program makes it easy for deployed military members to call home and stay in touch with family and friends. Hearing a familiar voice is one of the best ways to boost troop morale. The program offers phone cards that do not expire and do not add any additional charges or connection fees. Calling cards can be purchased and sent to any deployed service member.

Since the program began in December 2003, the Red Cross has distributed 28,342 calling cards to service members in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. To purchase a Prepaid Phone Card, visit www.aafes.comor call 1-800-527-2345.

Gifts from the Homefront:
"Gifts from the Homefront" are gift certificates purchased by friends, families or community groups that allow service members to purchase items at PX and BX facilities around the world. Certificates can be purchased from The Army & Air Force Exchange Service and addressed to a specific service member. Certificates can also be purchased and addressed to "any service member" and sent to the Red Cross for distribution. "Gifts from the Homefront" is a safe alternative to traditional care packages that place unnecessary strain on the military mail system or jeopardize security.  The American Red Cross distributes the gift certificates through its deployed Armed Forces Emergency Services staff members.

Since the beginning of the program, the Red Cross has distributed $154,513 in gift certificates. To purchase a gift certificate, log on to www.aafes.comor call 1-877-770-4438.

Nextel's DONATE A PHONE®:
Nextel sponsors a unique program in support of the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services. The DONATE A PHONE® program is a simple way for Americans to support military members and their families by donating their old wireless phones. The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless Foundation, the philanthropic organization for the nation's wireless industry and the creator of the DONATE A PHONE® program, estimates that approximately 30 million old wireless phones lay idle in American homes and businesses.

Americans can participate in the program by taking their old wireless phones from any manufacturer to any one of Nextel's 700 retail stores. After recycling and refurbishing the phones, Nextel will donate the net proceeds of the resale value, which averages $1.90 for each phone collected, to American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, the arm of the organization that supports members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Operation Dear Abby:
Dear Abby, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of the Navy's Life Lines 2000 Services Network provide a private and secure online resource that will allow people to send a sailor, marine, soldier, airman, or coast guardsman a holiday greeting or message of support. This service can be accessed by logging on to http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/About.html.

About Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services:
The American Red Cross has a long history of support for the U.S. military. Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, risked her life tending to fallen soldiers during armed conflict, including the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Barton's heroic service led to a Congressional Charter bestowing a responsibility on the American Red Cross to conduct emergency communication services for armed forces personnel.

Today, the Red Cross serves 1.4 million active duty personnel stationed around the world, while reaching out to 1.5 million members of the National Guard and the Reserves. American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services personnel serve in approximately 800 chapters nationwide and on 109 military installations around the world, including alongside U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Here in the St. Louis area, more than 6,300 military personnel and families were assisted through emergency communications last year.

Long-term deployments pose unique challenges that can hinder a family's ability to deal with a crisis. Prior to deployment, the Red Cross introduces its services to the Armed Forces through its "Get to Know Us Before You Need Us" program. During a service member's deployment, the Red Cross stands ready 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to deliver emergency messages anywhere in the world to link families to their loved one during a personal crisis. Through partnerships with military aid societies (Army Emergency Relief, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance), the Red Cross also facilitates financial support for crisis situations that involve emergency travel, burial of a loved one, food, temporary lodging, urgent medical needs, etc.

For More Information:
To learn more about holiday gift ideas for deployed military service members or the Armed Forces Emergency Services available through the American Red Cross, please contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

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