Pay tribute this holiday season

Postal Service has products to help organizations get letters, packages to the troops, veterans

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Americans pay tribute to those who currently serve or have served their country in a number of ways. A number of organizations are making sure they receive mail over the holiday season, and the U.S. Postal Service has the products and service to get cards and packages to their destination.

The American Red Cross (ARC) is collecting holiday cards to distribute to service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. According to the ARC their goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.

Every card received will first be screened for hazardous materials and then reviewed. All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, Dec. 10. 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender. They must be signed. People are asked to not include email or home addresses on the cards themselves, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships. Nor should they include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process. Lastly, participants should limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group.

Cards should be sent to: 
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD20791-5456

“People wishing to participate can purchase our holiday stamps either online at www.usps.com or at their local Post Office,” said Al Eakle, a spokesman for the Greater Indiana District of the U.S. Post Office. “We also offer a way for people to create their own greeting cards, through Card Store on our website.

Individuals who do not personally know a service member but wish to send a care package can do so through one of more than 120 service organizations listed under Home Front Groups at www.AmericaSupportsYou.com.

“Care packages can be a big morale boost,” Eakle said. “One of the best deals around the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box. Boxes going to Army Post Office (APO) and Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses also receive a two dollar discount. The cost to APO/FPO addresses is $10.95 at the retail counter and $10.50 on line.

The Military Care Kit, or “Mili-kit” makes it easier to send care packages to someone stationed overseas. The kit contains three flat rate boxes, two cube boxes, nine address labels, and 16 customs forms. This kits may be ordered by calling the USPS Expedited Package Supply Center at 1-800-610-8734. There is no charge for the kit.