Southwest Michigan is invited to share the spirit of the season with our veterans, members of the military, and their families by participating in the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Now in its eighth consecutive year, the program allows Americans to express their warm greetings of thanks and holiday cheer with members of our Armed Forces.

Representative Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, is encouraging area residents, schools, and community organizations to get involved in the nationwide program by sending personalized greeting cards of appreciation.

“A holiday greeting card is a simple but meaningful way to let our brave service members, veterans, and their families know how much we care,” said Upton. “The holidays are an especially important time to let these men and women know that we are grateful for their service and appreciate the daily sacrifices that they and their loved ones make for all of us.”

Beginning this year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program takes on a different look as individual Red Cross chapters take complete control of the program, meaning there will no longer be a national P.O. Box to which cards are sent. Local Red Cross offices are collecting, sorting, and distributing the holiday greeting cards.

Upton invites constituents to drop off their Holiday Mail for Heroes greeting cards at either of his constituent service offices, in Kalamazoo or St. Joseph/Benton Harbor. Upton’s offices will be accepting cards until Wednesday, December 3.

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

St Joseph/Benton Harbor District Office
720 Main Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-1986

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

DO:

* Include a heartfelt message and signature
* Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member, Veteran, or Military Family Member”

DO NOT:

* Include personal contact information such as home or email addresses
* Include inserts of any kind; these items will be removed during the reviewing process

* Send letters, packages, or gifts; only cards are accepted

* Use cards that contain glitter, which can aggravate existing health issues

Holiday Mail for Heroes participants can help spread the word through social media by using the hashtag: #holidaymail. For more information on the program, please visit: http://www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes.