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Partnership is the key: A&FRC earns American Red Cross Good Neighbor Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Earlandez Young
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
7/10/2012 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center earned honors for their continued support and partnership with the American Red Cross Service to armed forces program.

The Red Cross's Good Neighbor Award is presented to an organization or individual making a significant contribution in support of the Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter.

Christopher Marble, the A&FRC chief said winning was a pleasant surprise for the entire staff.

"We're reminded every day of the sacrifices servicemembers and their families make and it's my team's goal to provide the best targeted support possible," said Marble. "It felt great to be recognized as an important piece of supporting Air Force community wellness."

Keirsten Hess, armed forces director of the American Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter said nearly four years ago their chapter was in the midst of re-vamping their service to the armed forces program when they approached Fairchild in hopes of partnering with them to expand their services to active duty military members and their families.

"We weren't sure what that would look like or how best to get started," she said. "But the A&FRC, always with an eye toward expanding available resources for military members and their families immediately saw the potential."

With little hesitance, the A&FRC stepped up with an offer to 'house' the Red Cross within their center and what started as simply having a Red Cross representative three hours a week has now evolved into a fully integrated Red Cross office, staffed two full days every week and sometimes more.

"Regardless of the programs, events or services, the A&FRC is always supportive, ready and able to assist," Hess said. "They are definitely a home away from home for the Red Cross and we feel so fortunate for their strong community partnership."

ARC members said they've been very thankful to partner with the A&FRC in offering weekly pre-deployment briefings, reconnection workshops, coping with deployment classes and other popular programs.

"Service providers on both staffs have adjusted well to having the ARC 'in-house' and 'on-staff'," said Marble. "Our goal is to maximize efforts coping with expeditionary life and the ARC plays a huge role in helping us do so. I anticipate a long term relationship with them."