Monday, December 3, 2012

Monday Motivation: Spreading Holiday Cheer Edition! @redcross Holiday Mail for Heroes Program!

Christmas Cards

I shared last night on Facebook about the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program, and wanted to provide additional details for those who asked for more information about the program. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are joining together as part of the sixth annual Heroes Card Program. The Holiday Mail for Heroes Mailbox will be open until December 7th.

CARD SIGNING IDEAS:

Many members of the Armed Forces will be far away from home and loved ones during the holidays. Why not let them know their sacrifice is appreciated and gather folks together to sign cards and be part of the Holiday Mail program? Scouts could sign at their weekly meeting. Civic organizations could organize events in their communities. Businesses could provide cards for employees to sign. Sporting leagues could ask members to sign before the next game.

HOW IT WORKS:


Pitney Bowes will screen the cards for hazardous materials, sort and package them, contributing thousands of volunteer hours at sites around the country. Red Cross volunteers across the United States and on military installations overseas then sort and deliver the cards throughout the holiday season. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have received and distributed more than 4.7 million cards for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families since the program began in 2006.

Mail Cards to:

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


RULES/Guidelines: 
To ensure that cards are delivered in time for the holidays, they must be postmarked no later than December 7. Individuals are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary donations, or using glitter or any other kinds of inserts with the cards. More information and card requirements are available at redcross.org/holidaymail.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Ensure that all cards are signed.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Use generic salutations such as 'Dear Service Member' - Cards addressed to specific individuals will NOT be delivered.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Only cards are being accepted, do not send letters.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Do not include inserts, no photos or items.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Do not include your email or your home address on the actual card, the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  Do not send cards with Glitter. Many of the cards are being delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery.
Get Social With it:
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  -  You can connect with fellow card senders through Facebook at facebook.com/redcross and on Twitter @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, people also can support all Red Cross services by making a financial donation at redcross.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.

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. I have not received any monetary compensation for sharing about this initiative!

2 comments:

  1. It's always good to tell our young men and women who are serving our country how much we admire them and thank them(not only in the holidays but everyday).Thanks for putting this reminder up!!

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    Replies
    1. @Big Happy Buddha - I agree! Members of the Military and their families are making so many sacrifices, and I can't imagine how it must feel to have someone you love so far away, or to have to be so far away from those I love when in my heart all I would want is to be home for the holidays! If something as simple as a Christmas Card could let them know we are thinking of them and appreciate their sacrifice, then why not? :)

      ♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

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