TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:46 am

When sending your holiday cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:58 am

It would be cool to enclose a picture of you and your ride!

Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:00 am

Will do.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:17 pm

Count me in 8)

Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:00 pm

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/government/a/cards_soldiers.htm

It appears that you will need to write a specific name on the envelope, or send to "Holiday Mail for Heroes" instead?

When I read this thread, I almost wrote a Christmas card to EdW. I thought it was supposed to be written to "A Recovering Alcoholic." :wink:

Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:55 pm

OK, I just emailed a gal involved with this and got a response. The address listed is correct if you want to send cards. However, if you want to send packages of cookies, personal hygiene products, etc. (that you don't have to put together) you can go to www.anysoldier.com.

A service club that I am involved with donated $300 last night. A good cause. I understand the service men and women prefer the cookies!

Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:08 pm

Arizona based organization Packages from Home is another great way to contribute needed items to troops.

Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:21 am

tom62 wrote: When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center...

](*,) Sorry Guys, Walter Reed Army Medical Center will not accept letters unless they are addressed to a particular soldier by name, citing security issues...
The Red Cross offers an alternative way to send Christmas Cards to soldiers (see note below).

Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages and letters, addressed to “A Recovering American Soldier” that Walter Reed will not be accepting these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.

Support the Wounded Veterans at Walter Reed: FICTION

Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these.

This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" cards/mail.

As Walter Reed continues to enhance the medical care and processes for our returning service members, it must also must keep our patients and staff members safe while following Department of Defense policy. The outpouring of encouragement from the general public, corporate America and civic groups throughout the past year has been incredible. Our Warriors in Transition are amazed at the thanks and support they receive from their countrymen.

For the 2008 holiday season, the Red Cross is sponsoring a "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program to distribute holiday cards to service members, a program that encompasses not just troops who are recovering in military hospitals but also service members stationed throughout the U.S. and abroad, as well as veterans and their families:

The American Red Cross will sponsor a national "Holiday Mail for Heroes"
campaign to receive and distribute holiday cards to service members and veterans both in the US and aboard. Holiday Mail for Heroes, which begins on Nov. 11, Veteran's Day, is a follow-up to the successful 2007 effort that resulted in the collection and distribution of over 600,000 cards to hospitalized service members. This year's program will expand its reach to not only wounded servicemembers but also veterans and their families. The goal is to collect and distribute 1 million pieces of holiday mail.

"As we enter this holiday season — a time to celebrate with family and friends — it's important to remember the thousands of men and women who serve our nation in harm's way and those who are recovering in military and veterans hospitals," said Army Col. Norvell V. Coots, commander, Walter Reed Health Care System. "The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a wonderful outreach effort and a great way to acknowledge the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform."

Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Please note that the referenced guidelines are important — many contributors have been disappointed in the past to find that they missed the mailing deadline or sent gifts and other types of materials that could not be delivered:
* All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.

* Please ensure that all cards are signed.

* Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.

* Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

* Please 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.

Also please note that the "Holiday Mail for Heroes" program is for the delivery of holiday cards only.

Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:28 pm

I don't know I sent a card almost 10 days ago and it hasn't come back.
I am going to try and call Monday, but It's only 42 cents and a card so...............