Red Cross to deliver cards to wounded

WASHINGTON - This holiday season, the American Red Cross will make sure holiday greetings generically addressed to wounded servicemembers at military medical facilities around the country will find a home.

With help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, and the support of the DoD and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the American
Red Cross will collect, review and distribute holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel.

"So many Americans want to show their support and gratitude by reaching out to wounded servicemembers at Walter Reed and other military medical centers during the holiday season," said Neal Denton, American Red Cross Senior vice president for service to the armed forces. "With the support of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed leadership and Pitney Bowes, we can bring a little cheer to these brave men and women."

For security reasons, the Red Cross can only accept holiday cards - not packages. Senders also are reminded to refrain from using glitter or any other materials that would not be appropriate in a hospital environment.

Red Cross volunteers will receive and bundle the cards, which will be shipped by Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. Then, Red Cross volunteers at the medical facilities will distribute the cards throughout the holiday season.

"It is an honor to provide this small measure of comfort at holiday time to those who have sacrificed so much," said Murray Martin, Pitney Bowes president and chief executive officer. "We want to make it as easy as possible for all Americans to show their appreciation to the men and women who serve this nation so proudly and selflessly."

Holiday cards and letters should be addressed to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
P.O. Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Senders should make sure adequate postage is included on the cards. Multiple cards without envelopes may be placed in one mailing envelope or a box that includes a return address. Cards must be received no later than Dec. 27. Cards received after this date will be returned to the sender. Again, senders are reminded that "care packages" are not part of the program -- only cards and notes.

Because a Defense Department policy in effect since 2001 specifically forbids the delivery of generically addressed mail to servicemembers, cards sent directly to military medical facilities are returned or discarded unless they're addressed to a specific servicemember by name.

To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.