Letter: Spread word about giving back to those who serve

Every year during the holiday season, Americans take time to reflect and give thanks for the many gifts in our lives. Whether down the block, across the country, or around the world, we gather with family and loved ones to share a touch of home. It’s during this special season we ask you to take the time to “give something that means something” to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, our nation’s veterans, and their military families who may be separated from their loved ones or far from home.
Until December 6, 2013, you are invited to send holiday greeting cards with messages of thanks and support to our troops. Red Cross volunteers will screen and sort your cards and deliver them to military installations as well as VA and military hospitals across the U.S. and around the world.
Visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail for details on how you can send a card. Once you’ve read the guidelines, mail your card by December 6 to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
(Cards postmarked after December 6 cannot be guaranteed delivery.)
Spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors, and let’s give something that means something to our service men and women, veterans and their families around the world in gratitude for their service. Share photos and videos of your card signing efforts or send holiday greeting for troops by using the hashtag #HolidayMail on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine accounts. If you wish, connect with fellow card senders through Facebook.com/redcross and Twitter.com/redcross using #holidaymail.
Nants Foley, American Red Cross, Monterey Bay Chapter