You can help spread a little holiday cheer for soldiers serving in the U.S. and abroad. The Red Cross program, Holiday Mail for Heroes, runs through December 5th. During the program, anyone can send holiday cards with messages, season’s greetings and holiday wishes to military members and veterans who cannot be with their families this season.
This year, local Red Cross chapters are playing a major role in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program, according to a Red Cross news release. Card making and signing events will be organized at the community level and the local Red Cross offices will distribute the completed cards to military installations, medical facilities and veteran organizations. There is no longer a national post office box to send completed cards.
Nigel Holderby, Red Ross director, says “with the changes to the Holiday Mail program, we will have the opportunity to focus on neighbors helping neighbors and give our office the flexibility to administer the program in a way that best suits our community.”
To ensure that cards are distributed in time for the holidays, they must be delivered to the local Red Cross office no later than Friday, Dec. 5. You’re asked not to send letters, monetary donations or any other inserts with the cards, and don’t use 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 card signing efforts or holiday greetings for troops by using the hashtag #HolidayMail on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine. The Red Cross will feature the material on its social media channels throughout the holiday season, particularly through Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #holidaymail.
