American Red Cross - Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Location :

Mission


The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Services Provided

First Contact MEDEVAC Program
Volunteer teams meet each incoming MEDEVAC with information, comfort and entertainment items for patients and families. Each patient receives a welcome bag with toiletries, magazines, phone cards, writing pad, pens, SAF brochure and office business card. In addition, volunteers follow-up with family members throughout the week after arrival to ensure they have everything they need while seeking treatment at Walter Reed Bethesda.

Material Support for Wounded, Ill and Injured Programs
We provide a variety of items to meet the immediate needs for inpatient and outpatient warriors as well as long term electronic, assistive technology equipment and high value items that cater to a wounded warrior’s individual treatment plan.

We maintain a supply of toiletry items, clothing, blankets, pillows, and a variety of other items needed by families upon their arrival. We also carry a selection of adaptive clothing items provided through a partnership with Sew Much Comfort. Various organizations donate the majority of the items, however, we also purchase snacks and specialty items.

Media Support Program
We have 20 TVs that are constantly circulating the hospital for use of movies/video games in patient rooms and in particular Departments for therapeutic purposes. We also regularly lend out Google Chromebooks and portable DVD players to patients at WRNMMC.

DVDs, Games, Books and Magazines
We have books and magazines available in our office that are free for the patients and their families to keep and we also maintain a selection of DVDs and video games for loan during inpatient visits.

Animal Visitation Program
We currently have bi-weekly and special event visits involving volunteer dog handlers, who go to preauthorized Clinics at WRNMMC and installation events.

VolunTeen Program
We have a number of summer opportunities for youth (age 14-18) to gain experience in a variety of areas within the hospital. By increasing the youth opportunities within the hospital, we can foster an interest in the military medical and health care fields and enhance the personal development of the youth enrolled in our program.

Emergency Communication Services
Referral of service to service members and their families and delivery of emergency messages to military authorities. After hours available through 1-877-272-7337 (toll free).

Community Outreach
The Red Cross Office participates in Get to Know Us Before You Need Us briefings and events to educate services member, veterans and their families regarding services the Red Cross provides to support them. If you would like the Red Cross to participate in a briefing, please call 301-295-1538.

General Information
DONATION LIST

*Please note, for patient safety, all items must be NEW & UNUSED.

High-Value
IPad
IPod Touch
Kindle Fire
XBOX 360 Kinnect
PS3
Wii

ELECTRONICS:
NEW RELEASE DVD Movies (preferably comedies)
Electronic games for the Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, portable play station
Xbox 360 Controllers

CLOTHING ITEMS S-XL sizes needed especially M-XL:
Sweatshirts (“Hoodies” both zip-up and pullover)
Open bottom sweatpants (non-cinch bottoms)
Athletic Shorts (nylon, workout shorts, BLACK ONLY PLEASE)
Plain 100% Cotton Tee Shirts
White socks
Boxers/Boxer Briefs
Flip flops and Slippers
Weight lifting gloves/ Wheel Chair Gloves

CANTEEN/WELCOME ITEMS:
Bottled Water
Individually packaged granola bars, chips, cookies, crackers, etc

GIFT CARDS:
AAFES
Visa/MasterCard
Giant/Safeway
Target/Walmart
Local restaurant gift certificates ($40+ each so they can feed more than 1 person)
International Phone Cards. Recommend major brand (AT&T/Sprint/Verizon) of 300+ min.
Movie passes

TOILETRIES:
Men’s Deodorant
Men’s Shaving Cream/Gel
Chap Stick, travel q-tips, nail clippers (big and small), band aids, etc
Full size 2 in 1 shampoo & conditioner, lotion in a variety of brands
Travel size Kleenex
Individually Wrapped Toothbrushes
Full size Toothpaste
Mouthwash (small bottles)

OTHER:
Twin size quilts/blankets
Rolling Duffel bags