Send a letter via ‘Holiday Mail for Heroes' program

Remember a solider this holiday season; mailing deadline is Dec. 7 Newton - The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are teaming up to deliver holiday cards to service members, their families and veterans this holiday season. Now in its third year, the “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program provides the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans, according to officials. From now through Dec. 7, the public is invited to send holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays. Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and shipping at no charge. The Red Cross will utilize hundreds of volunteers to sort and box cards for delivery to service men and women, veterans and family members in November and December. “It’s an honor for our community to help make the holidays special for American heroes,” said Pat Day, executive director of the Sussex County chapter. “The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.” Last year, with the help of Pitney Bowes, hundreds of volunteers screened, sorted and packaged cards that were delivered to military bases, veteran and military hospitals across the U.S. and around the world. Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, PO Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. Affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than Dec. 7. Cards received after this date will be returned to senders. For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards. If you are aware of a service member, military unit, veterans group or military family that would like to receive cards, contact Lauri Gill at 973-579-1600 or e-mail lgill@sussexredcross.org with the full mailing address and number of cards needed. Visit redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.