We've been so focused on our
assistance to those affected by Sandy while
responding to a number of fires here at home recently that you may have lost track of another important thing the Red Cross does each year around this time.
Friday's deadline for people to send holiday greetings to
men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces through the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is fast approaching!
 |
Hoover Elementary students proudly display their thanks
to members of the armed forces during a 2010
Holiday Mail for Heroes card-making event |
One of my first experiences working for the Red Cross was two years ago, when I had the pleasure of attending a Holiday Mail for Heroes card-making event at Hoover Elementary School in the Ken-Ton district. The kids had so much fun designing and decorating greetings to send to our men and women in uniform, and I think they learned something about giving back to those who sacrifice so much for us. Last weekend, a table with cards was set up in the Clement Mansion lobby during the Holiday Gift Show. I think the highlight of my six-year-old's visit was addressing a "Dear Soldier" holiday greeting.
If you've ever been away from home for the holidays, you know how much it means to receive a little cheer in the mail. So please, take some time over the next couple days to thank some real heroes for their service to our country. All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Once
the Red Cross receives the cards that are sent in by the public, Pitney Bowes Inc.
scans them to ensure safety and security. Red Cross volunteers sort and deliver
them to military installations, in VA and military hospitals and to veteran’s
organizations in the United
States and overseas.
The
Red Cross cannot guarantee delivery of those cards postmarked after December 7.
Visit redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines.
