Smith Participates In Annual Red Cross ‘Holiday Mail For Heroes’ Program

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-3)  joined other members of Congress for the annual ‘Holiday Mail for Heroes’ card signing to show support for American military personnel, veterans, and their families this holiday season. Smith’s offices in Scottsbluff and Grand Island again will serve as collection points for constituents to drop off postage-free cards.
“The holiday season is an important time to show support for our brave men and women in uniform,” said Smith. “Our military has made enormous sacrifices in order to keep our country safe. Let’s all come together to make this holiday season a special time for our troops and their families.”
Now in its fifth year, the Red Cross ‘Holiday Mail for Heroes’ program provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members, veterans, and their families around the world. The program first was started in 2007 when the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. approached the Red Cross to distribute thousands of holiday cards for wounded troops.
Cards should be sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Postage-free cards may also be dropped off at either of Smith’s district offices:
Scottsbluff Grand Island

416 Valley View Dr., Suite 600 1811 W. 2nd Street, Suite 105

Scottsbluff, NE 69361            Grand Island, NE 68803
To ensure cards reach their destination, the following guidelines apply:
• All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
• Ensure that all cards are signed.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.
• Only cards are being accepted.
• Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
• Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
• Participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope. Envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.