I'm up early to being putting together my Christmas card list. This year I plan to add more than new clients and friends.
After receiving several emails from friends encouraging me to send a Christmas greeting to "A Recovering American Soldier" at the Walter Reed Medical Center, I decided that would be one small way to thank those who've sacrificed so much.
Well, after a little research I found that the post office will not accept anything addressed to "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier". If it does make it through the USPS, it will not be accepted by Walter Reed.
But, for the third year, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes continue the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Christmas cards and other holiday greetings will be accepted until December 7, 2009, so get them in the mail now.
Cards must use the following address:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and distributed to participating Red Cross Chapters nationwide.
When the Red Cross Chapters receive the cards, they're reviewed, sorted and distributed to service members, their families and veterans. There are some guidelines.The Red Cross asks that you sign your card and direct it to a Service Member, family or veteran. You can bundle groups of cards in single large envelopes (individual cards in the envelope do not need postage), however limit the number of cards to 15 per person or 50 for a business group or school class.
You can not include a letter, your own personal information or inserts of any kind. You can write on the card your own special message. The Red Cross also asks that glitter not be used because it can aggravate the health issues of wounded recipients.
Pull out those cards, and drop a few in the mail, thank a hero and their family for their sacrifices!
If you can't get your cards out in time, contact your local Red Cross, your church (Temple, Mosque or Ashram) and see if they have a program or some members that might want to hear from you.
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