Give Something that Means Something: 'Holiday Mail for Heroes'

The 2013 Holiday Mail for Heroes program is in progress, meaning that Americans who wish to send a holiday card to a service member can easily do so with the help of the Red Cross.

Through Dec. 6, Americans can express their gratitude and best wishes for the holiday season to those who give the ultimate gift to our country. Service members, veterans and their families will receive cards across the country and around the world.

“It just takes a moment to sign a card to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the military community make,” Bartow County Fire Chief Craig Millsap, Kaytlin Greenley and Deanna Berry, local volunteer board members of the Northwest Georgia Chapter, said in a press release. “You say thanks, and we’ll do the rest.”

The Red Cross invites the public to send messages of thanks and holiday cheer by mailing them to:

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

Red Cross volunteers across the United States and on military installations overseas sort and deliver the cards throughout the holiday season. The Red Cross has received and distributed more than 6.5 million cards for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families since the program began in 2006. 

In celebration of the program this year, the Northwest Georgia chapter will be holding a card signing event Saturday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., hosted by Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse, 100 Covered Bridge Road in Euharlee. 

To ensure that cards are delivered in time for the holidays, they must be postmarked no later than Dec. 6. Individuals are asked to refrain from sending letters, monetary donations or any other kinds of inserts with the cards and from using glitter. 

More information and card requirements can be found at redcross.org/holidaymail.

The Red Cross also invites the public to share photos and videos of their card signing efforts or their holiday greeting for troops by using the hashtag #HolidayMail on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine accounts. 

The Red Cross will use the material on its social sites throughout the holiday season. The public also can connect with fellow card senders through Facebook.com/redcross and Twitter.com/redcross using the hashtag #holidaymail.

The Red Cross relies on the support of the American people to carry out its mission of service to the 2 million members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 24 million veterans and their families. 

During this holiday season, the public can also support all Red Cross services by making a financial donation at nwgaredcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Individuals can also give the gift of life by making an appointment to give blood at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.