Support Our Troops for the Holidays-Send a Card!

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are joining forces to collect and distribute one million holiday cards for service men and women and their families in the United States and around the world during the holiday season. Getting involved is easy—just send a card to our special PO Box, and the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will handle the rest. Last year the Red Cross reviewed and distributed more than 600,000 cards to wounded service members at hospitals around the country and overseas. This year, the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are expanding the program to include all men and women in uniform, as well as their families, wounded service members and veterans.

Kickoff: Veterans Day, November 11, 2008. End Date: All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008.Cards postmarked after Wednesday, December 10, 2008 may be returned to the sender. This deadline ensures enough time to sort and distribute cards before the holidays.

Mailing Address: Holiday Mail for Heroes P. O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Card Guidelines: Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working in one of 16 sorting stations around the country. By observing the following guidelines we can ensure a quick reviewing process:

Please ensure that all cards are signed.

Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.

Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.

Participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group.

Where to Send Phone Cards, Gift Cards and Care Packages: Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted with the holiday cards. Those wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to www.aafes.com, scroll down to “AAFES Community Connection” and click on “Help Our Troops Call Home” or “Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops” in order to send such items. No ‘Care Packages’ will be accepted at this address.

Those wishing to send care packages should go to www.AmericaSupportsYou.com and click under “Homefront Groups” to find out how to send care packages.

Due to the fact that my husband has been in the military for close to 30 years, I hold these acts of goodwill very close to my heart. I have experienced first hand how difficult it is for families to cope with their loved ones being deployed during the Holiday Season and how much it means to all of them to know others do care. So, I ask as a friend and associate that you take a minute to send holiday wishes to our troops overseas...it will most likely be the cheapest gift you give this season.

Thank you so much! Have a safe and happy holiday!