Red Cross serves Fairchild personnel, families Published May 26, 2011 By Scott King 92nd Air refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Fairchild Red Cross is ready, more than willing and able to assist base military and their families in times of need. Their local mission is to provide worldwide emergency communications services to military families, as well as outreach to community-based military, veterans and family members. They do this through; worldwide emergency communications around the clock; pre and post deployment briefings; coping with deployments classes; family return and reunion outreach; CPR, first aid, and babysitter's training classes; outreach, counseling and referral services for veterans; a youth leadership club, networking events, volunteer opportunities, and the very popular, Flat Daddy & Flat Mommy cut-outs. "We strive to ensure that base populace are engaged and connected to available services and resources," said Ms. Keirsten Hess, Fairchild American Red Cross coordinator. "We try to build resiliency and stronger relationships within our military families and within our community." The Red Cross links members of the U.S. Armed Forces with their families during a crisis. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Red Cross quickly sends emergency communications to deployed service members on behalf of their family. Military members can have peace of mind knowing that when they are on a mission, in training or stationed far from home-and leaving cell phones and emails behind-they are still connected to home. "I love what we are able to do for the men, women and families of Fairchild, Ms. Hess said. "This line of work is near and dear to me - I'm a Marine Corps mother, so it comes naturally to me to help military families and veterans in any way I can." Routinely, Fairchild families appreciate what the Red Cross here does for them. "While volunteering at the Airman's Attic, I received a text from my family saying my mother, who suffers from very serious health issues, was either going to have to go to a nursing home with a ventilator or stay at home and have Hospice take care of her," said Mrs. Angela Theunissen, spouse of Tech. Sgt. Wayne Theuissen, 92nd Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment program manager. "So I got in touch with the Red Cross here and they were able to give me avenues to pursue aid. They also gave my husband and I a gift bag full of snacks for our 28-hour trip to Wichita Falls to see her, and they still provide me with emotional support through follow-up phone calls - they were, and continue to be wonderful." A very popular service the Red Cross offers here are the Flat Daddy & Flat Mommy cut-outs. They are "almost" life-sized picture cut-outs of deploying members they provide families with prior to and during a deployment. "The kids love to see and play with the cut outs of their mom or dad," Ms. Hess said. "It's just something small we can offer to help ease the burden a little for our families - the kid's eyes light up when they first see them." The Fairchild Airman & Family Readiness Center works closely with the Red Cross. "Keirsten Hess of the Red Cross is a fantastic partner," said Mr. Christopher Marble, Director of the A&FRC. "Our ability to work jointly has maximized efforts to support the Fairchild community. They provide tangible assets; for example, funding for childcare to support our military families. In addition they provide, even the sometimes more important intangibles like emotional support, active listening and genuine caring. Without Ms. Hess and the Red Cross services, we simply would not have the family support capabilities we provide for "Team Fairchild."'