Send a Hero some Holiday Cheer!

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. 

Send a holiday card to hereos!

Reverend Jan Mahle has been a Campus Minister at D’Youville College since November, 1999.  During her time at the college the Campus Ministry has made a concerted effort to connect D’Youville faculty, staff and students to a variety of volunteer opportunities, and this fall semester we were delighted to have them partner with us for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign.

“What I liked most about this volunteer project,” said Reverend Mahle, “was that it gave everyone involved an opportunity to express their gratitude to soldiers, their families or veterans in their own words.”

 

The D’Youville Campus Ministry Federal work study students, first year student classes, the Campus Community Club and staff participated in this college-wide campaign, creating over 160 cards that will eventually be sent to service members, veterans and their families.   

“At first, students were hesitant because they didn’t know what to write” said Reverend Mahle “However, once they were given a couple of suggestions, their expressions of gratitude and sentiment were a joy to read... This campaign gives people the chance to be creative, very personal, and express words of gratitude such as one staff member with a brother in the military did when she wrote, “Dear Military Hero, May you find peace in your heart knowing that people unknown to you wish you a safe mission and return home.””

It’s not too late for the Buffalo community to participate in this campaign. So gather your families, friends, employees and coworkers together to make a card to show your appreciation for a service member, veteran or their family.  Be sure to get your cards out by December 10^th!  To learn more, please visit us at the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross.



Holiday Mail for Heroes

It’s that time of year again.  Family, friends and loved ones are coming together to celebrate the holidays, drink eggnog, eat pumpkin pie, tell stories and fight over the seat closest to the mashed potatoes.  But let’s not forget those service members, veterans and their families who are sacrificing their holiday traditions to ensure that we can continue to celebrate ours.  To send your appreciation and holiday cheer, you, your family and friends can join the American Red Cross’s Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. 

To get involved in this year’s campaign, create a card and mail it by December 10^th to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD
20791-5456

Cards will be sorted and delivered to a service member, veteran or their family so that they can see how much we appreciate their sacrifices, especially during this holiday season.