Send a 'Touch of Home' to Service Members, Veterans and Family Members this Holiday Season
News Release: Nov. 2, 2009
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771


The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cards to service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season. Now in its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans.

Between November 2 and December 7, the public is invited to send a "touch of home" through 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 John R. Hughes, executive director at the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. "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
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Please be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 7. Cards received after this date will be returned to senders.

Do...

  • Sign all cards


  • Entitle cards "Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran"


  • Send holiday-neutral cards rather than those with religious themes


  • Limit cards to 15 per person or 50 for school class or business group


  • Bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes


    • Don't...

  • Send letters


  • Include personal information such as home or email addresses


  • Use glitter - excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of wounded recipients


  • Include inserts of any kind as they must be removed in the screening process



    • Visit Holiday Mail for Heroes for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program and to learn more about the local Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.

    The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross helped more than 70,000 people through preparedness and training, military personnel support, senior lifesaving programs and services, emergency relief and information and referral. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.