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Red Cross kicks-off Holidays for Heroes campaign
Georgians urged to send messages of thanks to U.S. service members now, through Dec. 1
Holiday For Heroes

GEORGIA – While many Georgians will celebrate with loved ones during the holiday season, some will be missing family members who are deployed or convalescing in veterans’ medical facilities, nursing homes and military hospitals. The American Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program is a way for the public to send words of inspiration, thanks and encouragement to our military heroes.

“This marks the eleventh year of the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program and our goal is to raise its profile and broaden its reach,” said Terri Badour Duckett, CEO of Georgia’s Red Cross. “We’re inviting all Georgians to give something that truly means something by sharing their appreciation for our military families with words of holiday cheer sent through the Red Cross.”

Since 2006, with the help of the public, the American Red Cross has collected millions of cards for members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families during the holiday season. All holiday cards mailed by the public this year will be screened, sorted and distributed by volunteers in local communities, across the nation and around the world.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Guidelines for Northeast Georgia

  • Holiday cards should be addressed to “Dear Service Member, Veteran, or Military Family” because those cards can be shared with anyone in the military community.
  • Avoid buying or making cards with glitter – glitter can actually aggravate health issues for the wounded or ill.
  • Items like letters, photos or gift cards won’t make it through the screening and sorting process – please don’t send anything but the card itself.
  • If you want to send a large quantity of cards, skip the individual envelopes and place your cards in a big mailing envelope or flat-rate postal shipping box.
  • All cards must be postmarked no later than Friday, December 1st, 2017.
  • Mail Cards (postage required) to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

490 Pulaski Street                                            

Athens, GA 30601

            OR

Holiday Mail for Heroes

675 White Sulphur Road, Suite 230

Gainesville, GA 30501

  • You can drop cards off at our either the Athens or Gainesville office. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • The public is invited to share photos and videos of card signing efforts or send holiday greetings for troops by using the hashtag #HolidayMail on your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.