Holiday Mail for Heroes

Once a year, the Red Cross provides Americans with an opportunity to send holiday cards to United States service members, veterans, and their families. Anyone is welcome to participate, and I know from experience that this campaign is a perfect way for adults and children alike to learn more about the American Red Cross and to support our country's service members during the holiday season.

Will, Hallie, and I have made and sent cards for many years, and this year we carried on the tradition by inviting their classmates to participate in the HMFH campaign with us. You can read about and see pictures from my trips into Will's first grade classroom and Hallie's preschool classroom on the Red Cross blog. (Our 2012 HMFH story and pictures are here, and our 2011 HMFH story and pictures are here.)

There's still time for you, your friends, your kids, and/or your kids' classes to participate in the 2013 Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. Here's what you need to know when creating your holiday cards:

• Use generic salutations, such as "Service Member", as cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are accepted. Do not send or include letters or photos.
• Do not use glitter on cards, as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors.
• Ensure that all cards are signed (first names are fine), but do not include email addresses or home addresses on the cards.

Now simply create your cards, place them in an envelope or box (no individual envelopes are needed), and send them to the address below. All packages must be postmarked no later than December 6th.

Holiday Mail for Heroes

PO Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Will and Hallie's classes' cards began their journey to service members, veterans, and their families across the country and around the world today. Won't you consider sending a few of your own cards as well?