Nov 24, 2011 2 min read

Holiday cards for members of the military, veterans and their families are now being accepted for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program sponsored by Pitney Bowes and the American Red Cross.

According to the office of U.S. Rep. Mark S. Critz, D-Johnstown, the program allows members of the public to show their support for veterans while protecting military personnel from possible hazardous materials sent by strangers.

Pitney Bowes will screen all of the cards for hazardous materials, then they will be reviewed by Red Cross volunteers prior to distribution.

Envelopes are not needed for individual cards, as each card will be removed from its envelope prior to delivery. Large groups of cards may be placed in a large mailing envelope and sent to the program. A generic greeting such as “Dear Service Member” should be used on the cards, and all cards should be signed with your name only; no email or home addresses are permitted. No photos, other objects should be put into the cards. Letters or cards addressed to a specific service member are also prohibited under the program. Cards decorated with glitter are also discouraged as many of the cards go to veterans in medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with their recovery.

Cards may be sent to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456, or may be dropped off at any of Critz’s district offices including the Uniontown office located at 20 N. Gallatin Ave.; the Waynesburg office at 93 E. High St.; or the Washington office at 60 S. Main St., Suite 201.