Where to Really Send Holiday Mail to Heroes #HMFH (And Where Not To)
You may have seen the picture above circulating around the Internet. Although a really nice gesture, unfortunately it’s a waste of time. You cannot send a Holiday card or package to “any” soldier for security reasons. It will be returned to sender (you).
If you would like to legitimately participate, check out Holiday Mail for Heroes (click link). From now on, you must take part in an event to get your cards, letters or packages to the troops!
There are many service members and veterans separated from their families this holiday season due to deployments and hospital stays. The American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes (HMFH) program empowers people like you and me to “Give Something That Means Something” by sending a card of thanks and support to the members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. But, don’t send a card just anywhere. It will NOT be delivered. It’ll be returned to you!
Beginning in 2014, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program will take on a different look, as Red Cross chapters across the continental U.S. and Red Cross offices on military installations overseas will take complete control of the program. There will no longer be a national Holiday Mail for Heroes P.O. Box to which cards are sent. Check with your local Red Cross for times and locations of events and for opportunities to get involved. You must take part in an event to get letters to the troops!
Moving forward, local Red Cross offices will collect, sort, and distribute the holiday cards using an events-based approach in their local communities.
Local Red Cross offices will:
- Hold events to sign or make holiday cards
- Schedule card-sorting times.
- Coordinate card delivery to the military, vets and families in their communities.
These changes will allow local Red Cross offices to better concentrate on reaching out to the members of the military, veterans and families in their community — neighbors helping neighbors.