November 28, 2008

Holiday Mail for Heroes

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to send holiday cards to members of the military and their families in the United States and around the world.

Until Wednesday, Dec. 10, the public is invited to send holiday cards with their message of thanks and cheer to a special post office box. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases, veteran’s hospitals and military hospitals during the holidays.

Last year, the effort garnered more than 600,000 cards for wounded service men and women. With the expansion of the program the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes hope to collect more than one million cards and holiday greetings. “Holiday Mail For Heroes” continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.

“From the front lines to the home front, for more than 125 years, the American Red Cross has provided care and assistance to service members, their families and Veterans,” said Barb Larson, CEO of the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter. “This is way for every member of the public to lift the spirits of military members, their families and veterans during this holiday season. It’s as easy as signing your name.

Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 

Please be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 10. Cards received after this date will be returned to senders.

To help speed the sorting process and delivery of cards and notes before the holidays, mailers are encouraged to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any other inserts.

For a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices, please visit Redcross.org. Cards are also available to print out from the website, along with messages from Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet Members Dr. Phil McGraw and Nancy O’Dell, co-anchor of Access Hollywood.