Children’s Disaster Services volunteers serve at American Airlines first anniversary memorial

By Carolyn Neher

Children’s Disaster Services (CDS) served on Jan. 29 at the first anniversary American Airlines memorial for the 67 people killed in the mid-air collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 2025.

CDS provided a team of Critical Response Care volunteers at the Hilton Crystal City by Regan National Airport. The Red Cross asked CDS to care for the children of families attending the first anniversary memorial event.

Critical Response Care team members are experienced CDS volunteers who have received additional training that prepares them to work with children after an aviation incident or other mass casualty event. The presence of a compassionate care giver, along with carefully selected play activities, has a significant impact on the recovery of a child who has experienced the trauma of such a loss.

— Carolyn Neher, associate director of Children’s Disaster Services, contributed to this report. CDS is a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries. Find out more at www.brethren.org/cds

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving