Published: November 10, 2009 10:20 pm      

Time to send mail to heroes

JOHNSTOWN — The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. have joined forces again to invite the public to “send a touch of home” to U.S. service members and veterans across the country and abroad through the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign.

In its third year, the program provides an opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans. More than 1.4 million cards for military men and women, their families and veterans were sent through the program last year.

The public can participate by sending holiday cards with personal messages to a special post office box through Dec. 7.

Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and shipping at no charge, as well as providing thousands of volunteer hours around the country.

The U.S. military has 1.4 million active-duty members, reservists and guards and more than

24 million veterans who served in the past, said Sherri Brown, senior vice president to the armed forces at the American Red Cross.

“With increased chapter participation this year, we hope to reach many more service members and veterans who may be spending this holiday season away from home or without loved ones,” Brown said.

“The men and women who serve our country in uniform deserve our thanks every single day, and sending just one card is all it takes to make a difference in the life of one of our nation’s heroes,” said Jon Love, president of Pitney Bowes Government Solutions.

Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456.

Adequate postage should be affixed.

Cards must be received no later than Dec. 7.

Cards received after this date will be returned to senders.

For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages” and monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards.

For more information and card requirements, go to www.redcross.org/holidaymail.