Red Cross to offer ‘sneak peek’ at military TV episode

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Roll out the red carpet, and get ready for a star-studded screen show right here in Andalusia, courtesy of the Covington County chapter of the American Red Cross.

In a partnership with The Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, local residents will get the opportunity for a sneak peak at “Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change,” featuring Queen Latifah, John Mayer and Elmo.

“Coming Home: Military Families Cope With Change” tells the story of service members who return home with injuries — both visible and invisible — and explores the heroic struggles their families face in discovering ways of finding a “new normal.” It salutes the extraordinary courage and strength of these military families and offers the general public a powerful glimpse into the lives of these amazing families. The special will air nationwide on PBS on April 1, 2009, in conjunction with April as the “Month of the Military Child.” Check local listings for its exact time.

“People might wonder why we’re showing this here in Andalusia,” said Jeffery Biggs, the county’s Red Cross executive director. “We all know someone who has been touched by the war overseas. Our local soldiers may have returned home, but odds are there is someone out there who has a family member that’s been deployed.

“This showing is a fantastic opportunity for us to bring awareness to the struggles of service members facing combat-related injuries, and what their families go through,” he said. “We so thrilled to show the community ‘Coming Home,’ and help them look for ways to reach out. Oftentimes people think of us as we give aid during fires and natural disasters, but the Red Cross was actually organized during the Civil War when Clara Barton delivered a single letter.”

The event is scheduled for Thurs., March 26, at 6 p.m. in the Andalusia city hall auditorium. It is free and open to the public.