American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Launch Holiday Mail for Heroes

Red Cross, Pitney Bowes Encourage Public to Send a Touch of Home to Service Men and Women

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cards to service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans the opportunity to send holiday greetings to our men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, our nation's veterans and their families.  Between October 3 and December 9, the public can send a "touch of home" through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation.  

"By taking a few moments to express their gratitude to the men and women who serve our country, Americans can touch the lives of those whose sacrifice may have taken them far from home this holiday season," said Sherri Brown, senior vice president, Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces.  "The men and women who receive these cards on military installations and in hospitals tell us time and again that they are touched by the warmth and gratitude expressed from people they have never met."

For the fifth annual program, The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are also encouraging families, schools, youth, civic groups, scouting troops, places of worship, and other groups that are interested in participating in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program to organize and host card-making events.  For a list of tips and ideas, please visit: www.redcross.org/holidaymail

People are invited to send a message of thanks and holiday cheer from now until Friday, December 9, by mailing them to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Pitney Bowes receives cards and messages at the special Holiday Mail post office box, and screens all items for hazardous materials.  Red Cross volunteers across the United States then sort and deliver the cards throughout the holiday season.  Pitney Bowes screens, packages and ships the cards at no charge, and contributes thousands of volunteer hours at sites around the country.

"Sending a card is a simple way to show our gratitude for the tremendous sacrifice that our military personnel and their families make every single day on the nation's behalf," said Kevin Connolly, Vice President and General Manager of North American Service Delivery, Pitney Bowes Management Services and Vice President, Strategic Transformation for Pitney Bowes. "The holiday season is a perfect time for all Americans to take the opportunity to say 'thank you.' We are pleased to join forces with the Red Cross for the fifth year to help make that happen."

Cards must be postmarked by December 9.  For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending "care packages," monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards.  For more information and card requirements, please visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail.

Additional ways to become involved with the campaign include connecting with fellow card senders through Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at www.twitter.com/redcross using the hashtag #holidaymail.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About Pitney Bowes:
Celebrating its 90th year of innovation, Pitney Bowes provides software, hardware and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels. Long known for making its customers more productive, Pitney Bowes is increasingly helping other companies grow their business. Pitney Bowes is a $5.6 billion company and employs 33,000 worldwide. Pitney Bowes: Every connection is a new opportunity™. www.pb.com

SOURCE American Red Cross