The birth of a child is an event that no family member should miss.  When your children go off to school for the first time you want to be there to calm their nerves and hug them goodbye.  Life's simple moments like birthdays, school graduations and a baby's first words are all memories that no one wants to miss.

      Missing out on these special moments is a common occurrence in the lives of servicemen and women who fight for our freedom overseas.  The American Red Cross has come up with a way to shorten the distance between you and your loved ones, making sure no one has to miss out on any of life's special moments.

      Project Video Connect was launched by American Online in May of 2003. It was meant to give servicemen and women and their families the opportunity to communicate "face to face" by creating personal video messages that can then be sent via e-mail.

      All you need to do to prepare is bring the e-mail address of the service person to whom you wish to send your video message.  You can also prepare by considering the general content of your message:  Is there a special event that you would like to celebrate? 
Bring a cake and sing happy birthday?  Or are you going to bring your children to show how they have grown?

      When you arrive for your appointment, you will sit in front of a small computer video camera and record a two minute video.  You can then review the video and we can send it to your loved-one via e-mail.  The entire process only takes about fifteen minutes. 

This service is provided by: 

AOL for BROADBAND, VIDISOLUTIONS, and HP Invent

To set up an appointment call your Southeast Missouri Chapter at (573) 335-9471.