The American Red Cross provides assistance for military personnel and their immediate families in times of emergency. Quick communication with home about family crisis is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This includes verification of death or serious illness, birth announcements to fathers deployed overseas and health and welfare reports resulting from loss of communication over an extended period of time. The Red Cross no longer offers emergency financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans or grants. Please refer to the Air Force Aid Society.