This Veterans Day, Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, is encouraging folks in Southwest Michigan to share some holiday cheer with service members, veterans, and their families by participating in Holiday Mail for Heroes. 

"It’s such a simple thing to sign a card to let our brave men and women in the service – and their families – know we appreciate their work. And yet it means so much,” said Upton. “I hope everyone will take a moment to participate in this program.”

The American Red Cross is in its seventh year of making sure personalized holiday cards of appreciation are sent to service members and their families.

Upton is again facilitating the operation by accepting cards meant for the troops and their families at his constituent service offices in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph. Cards dropped off at the offices by December 4 will be forwarded to the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Cards can be mailed to the offices or dropped off.

“Let our troops know how much their dedication is valued by the American people,” Upton urged. “The holiday season is one of the best times to acknowledge their work.”

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an extension of the Red Cross’ work with more than 2 million services members and 24 million veterans each year. It provides a "touch of home" for veterans, military families and active duty service members in hospitals, military installations and other locations around the world. 

The American Red Cross has asked card senders keep in mind a few guidelines:  

Do:

* Include a heartfelt message and signature.
* Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.”
* Bundle large quantities of cards in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Envelopes are not necessary for the cards.

Don't:

* Send letters, packages or monetary gifts – only cards are accepted.
* Include personal information such as home or email addresses on the cards.
* Include inserts of any kind; these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
* Use cards with glitter or use loose glitter --  it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured service members.

Holiday cards sent directly must arrive by December 6 to: 

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Upton is collecting cards at his district offices located at:

Kalamazoo District Office
157 South Kalamazoo Mall
Suite 180
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-385-0039

St. Joseph / Benton Harbor District Office
800 Centre
800 Ship Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-1986

For additional information and card requirements, please visit: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Kicks-Off-Holiday-Mail-for-Heroes-Campaign

Or

http://www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes