America Supports You: Red Cross to Deliver Holiday Cards to Wounded

America Supports You ^

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2007 – 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 Defense Department and Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, 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 will be able to accept only 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

Be sure to affix adequate postage. 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 –– send 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.

Related Sites:
America Supports You
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
American Red Cross

[pissant]

Excellent. Thanks for posting.

[Mark was here]

Anyone who trusts a thing the Red Cross has to say, better wake up.

They will find a way to charge the solders, as it is in their blood.

My elderly neighbor still recalls how during WWII the Salvation Army would give them donuts while the Red Cross would sell the donuts.

[Mark was here]

I want to make it clear that I think it is a great idea to help support the troops, and everyone should do something.

I just do not like the Red Cross, and apologize if I was being a little negative on this thread.

[Roccus]

Don’t worry about it. Anyone who’s been in the service knows which of those two organizations really cares.

[fishergirl]

“I just do not like the Red Cross, and apologize...”. You certainly don’t have to apologize to me. I don’t like them either, don’t trust them and haven’t donated to them for years. They damn well should be helping the troops! Especially after all their concern about the conditions at Gitmo for the scumbag terrorists.

[SandRat]

I also have a bad taste in my mouth for the RC but I thought all should know.