Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Program to deliver one million cards to servicemembers, families

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to send holiday cards to servicemen and women in the United States and around the world.

Until Dec. 10, the public can send holiday cards with their message of thanks and cheer to a special post office box. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then screen, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals, and other locations during the holidays.

“This opportunity is such a great way for the public to personally support the military and say a special thank you for their service this holiday season,” said Gail McGovern, Red Cross president and CEO. “I’m especially proud that the Red Cross is able to be a part of this effort, and I hope everyone will take the time to join us and send an extra card for the military.”

In 2008, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., approached the Red Cross to distribute thousands of holiday cards coming to the facility for wounded troops. The Red Cross reached out to Pitney Bowes to turn the project into a larger opportunity to reach members of the military at other facilities.

In all, nearly 600,000 cards were screened for hazardous materials, sorted and delivered last year.

Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and shipping for this year’s effort for free, as well as thousands of volunteer hours from employees around the country.

“Last year’s program was a huge success and we look forward to working with the public to reach even more wounded servicemembers and their families this holiday season to show appreciation and support,” said Jon Love, Pitney Bowes Government Solutions president.

Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to:

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, Md., 20791-5456
Senders should affix adequate postage. Cards must be received by Dec. 10. Cards received after this date will be returned to senders. To help speed the sorting process and ensure the cards and notes are delivered before the holidays, mailers are encouraged to refrain from sending care packages, money, using glitter or including any other inserts. A full list of recommended guidelines and best practices is available from Redcross.org/holidaymail, which also has printable cards. Visitors can also leave a message on the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Facebook Wall.