By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery delivered hundreds of Christmas cards from students throughout Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District to Red Cross President and CEO Gail J. McGovern.
The “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program is sponsored by the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes. For the sixth straight year the two organizations have teamed up to help Americans send holiday greetings to service members. Three schools in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District are already participating, including Opp Middle School, Highlands Elementary in Dothan and Forrest Avenue Academic Magnet School in Montgomery, where Rep. Roby’s daughter, Margaret is enrolled in the second grade.
Rep. Roby is encouraging more people to participate in the program. Congresswoman Roby said, “Considering all that our men and women in uniform and their families have sacrificed for our country, sending a Christmas card really is the least we can do to show our appreciation and support. It’s important for us to remind military personnel stationed overseas that we are thinking about them and praying for their safety. I encourage everyone back home in Alabama to take a moment and send a message of hope to our troops. If your school, church or family wants to participate, the Red Cross has made it easy, and there’s still plenty of time.”
Those wishing to send Christmas greetings though the “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program should mail the Holiday cards to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD, 20791-5456
The group has a list of card guidelines on their website.
All cards being sent in for 2012 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 7, 2012.
- Ensure that all cards are signed.
- Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.”
- Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program. Only cards are being accepted.
- Do not send or include letters.
- Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
- Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
Participants are encouraged to mail as many cards as they are comfortable sending. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes or use a flat rate box from the post office. Each card does not need its own envelope, as cards will be removed from all envelopes before distribution.
Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient’s recovery.
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
