Holiday Mail for Heros

This marks the fifth year of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program sponsored by the American Red Cross in partnership with Pitney Bowes. The program provides all Americans with the opportunity to send a touch of the holidays to US service members, veterans and military families – many who will be far away from home during this celebratory season.

Why not plan a special card-making event at your office, school or neighborhood? It’s a great way to share the spirit of the holidays with family and friends, while remembering those who serve in our military.

The process is simple and takes very little time; all you really need is a pen and piece of paper to show your appreciation.

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.

Observing the following guidelines will help to ensure the cards are delivered quickly:

• Cards must be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
• Make sure that all cards are signed.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are being accepted; please do not send letters.
• Do not include emails or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen-pal relationships.
• Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
• We encourage participants to mail as many cards as they are comfortable sending. If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them together and place them in large mailing envelopes or use a flat-rate box from the post office. Each card does not need its own envelope, as cards will be removed from all envelopes before distribution.
• Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient’s recovery.

The 2011 Holiday Mail for Heroes mail box is open and ready to receive for your cards: 

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

If you don’t have time to make your own card but still want to participate, click here  to  go to a Pitney Bowes site where you can select a card design, add your personal greeting, and have the card mailed for $1 per card. 

Please help us brighten the holidays for those who served - and many who are still serving - in the US military.   

Sue Anderson
SW Washington Red Cross