JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) -- This holiday week, the American Red Cross Mississippi region encourages citizens to give thanks by sending a card of support to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
Whether handmade or purchased, simple words of gratitude carry a great deal of meaning for the men and women who serve our country, especially when deployments or hospital stays keep them far from home during the holiday season.
“Taking just a few minutes to sit down with pen in hand and express our appreciation for the service of these brave men and women is a meaningful way to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday,” says Leslie Pitre, Regional Service to the Armed Forces Manager. “Since 2006, we’ve distributed more than 4.7 million cards to members of the Armed Forces, and we hope fellow Mississippians will help us continue this tradition.”
All holiday greetings should be addressed and sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Pitney Bowes scans the cards to ensure safety and security, and Red Cross volunteers then sort and deliver them to service members, veterans and their families across the country and around the world.
In celebration of the program this year, the five Red Cross chapters in the state will be holding card making events throughout the Mississippi Region.
The chapters are also recruiting volunteers to help distribute cards to military members and veterans in the community around the holidays.
To locate the nearest community card making event, visit www.mississippi-redcross.org.
Cards must be postmarked by Friday, December 7; the Red Cross cannot guarantee delivery of any cards after this date.
For a full list of program guidelines, visit
www.redcross.org/holidaymail.
The Red Cross relies on the support of the American people to carry out its mission of service to the two million members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 24 million veterans and their families.
