From our social media desk here, we want to give a big shout-out to the old-style scribes who put pen – and crayon and marker – to paper to boost the Holiday Mail for Heroes effort.
With the deadline for postmarks coming this Friday, Dec. 10, we’ve been heartened to read about kids making cards in the Hall County Library System in Gainesville, Ga., and to see firsthand the fine watercolors produced by art guild members in Alabama—all destined for veterans and active-duty member of the U.S. military.
The Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross teamed with a local grocery chain, Bashas’ and Food City, to collect signatures on cards printed with the message, “Thank you for your service to our nation.” Hand-made cards poured into the Gloucester County Red Cross Chapter in Woodbury, N.J., including a cheerful “Thanks 4 Supporting Our Country!”
No matter the level of artistry, the cards will be appreciated. Just ask Cari McCollor, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard. McCollor will help the Red Cross Twin Cities Area Chapter distribute holiday mail to approximately 20 sites, ranging from veterans homes and adult day centers to army reserve and national guard units, throughout the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area.
“It’s hard to remember family and friends when you’re sitting somewhere in a field far away from home,” McCollor said. “Getting a card lets the service member know that someone cares enough to write and send a card.”