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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (December 3, 2008) — This Thursday, spouses, parents, siblings and children of area servicemen stationed around the world will have an opportunity to give the holiday gift of a streaming personal video e-mail to their loved ones. The local Red Cross presents this exclusive opportunity through the Armed Forces VidiTalk video message system, which will be set up at all five of the chapter’s locations at its annual Holiday Open House on December 4, 2008, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. While those in the armed forces have long received holiday letters and packages, any person with a military family member is encouraged to attend the open house and send this unique holiday greeting free of charge. Of the service, Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter CEO Larry Casey said “Red Cross has always been there for our nation’s servicemen and will continue to be there. We are honored to offer this special opportunity.”
In 2006, the VidiTalk Corporation, a leading provider of video messaging software, made its services available to the American Red Cross’ large network of chapters through the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) intranet portal. AKO video messaging allows all deployed active-duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers and their families to create video messages on a computer with a webcam. The message, complete with streaming video and sound, is then stored on a server and sent to the recipient in an e-mail via a URL link.
Although it is a special occasion to have the VidiTalk service set up at Chapter Headquarters, each day, the Red Cross’ Armed Forces Emergency Services provides a communication link between armed forces personnel and their family members at home through a worldwide communications network. The organization can help families send emergency messages to troops. The Red Cross provides military personnel with fast, reliable information to help make decisions regarding emergency leaves and through collaborating with the military aid societies, the organization is able to help provide financial assistance when an urgent personal or family crisis arises.
The theme of this year’s Holiday Open House is The Gift of Giving and the Red Cross is pleased to give the special priceless gift of communication. Families of the troops are asked to RSVP before the event if they would like to utilize the VidiTalk service. A person has been designated at each office location to coordinate VidiTalk use. VidiTalk is available at:
Chapter Headquarters
825 Fern Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 650-9126
South County Branch
5820 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487
(561) 994-2060
Okeechobee Branch
323 N. Parrott Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34972
(863) 763-2488
Glades Area Branch
195 U.S. Highway 27 S., South Bay, FL 33493
(561) 992-9703
North County Branch
2074 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 100, Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 746-1532
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About the American Red Cross:
For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach Counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at www.redcross-pbc.org.
