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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Governor and First Lady Urge Kentuckians to Remember Service Members, Their Families and Veterans
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear today announced their plan to join again in an effort launched by the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes to deliver Christmas cards to service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season.
Now in its fourth year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans with the opportunity to extend holiday greetings and thanks to service members and veterans. This will mark the third year that the Governor and First Lady have participated in this effort.
“The Christmas season is all about celebration, generosity and pausing to count your blessings,” said Gov. Beshear. “For so many of our brave men and women serving overseas and their families, it is a time when the distance between loved ones is most difficult. I am proud to be a part of an initiative to provide these heroes—both active duty and veteran—with warm wishes and merriment.”
“All Kentuckians should take time to honor and reach out to our military service men and women during this season,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “This program provides a great opportunity to let them know we are thinking of them during our celebrations.”
Between now and Dec. 10, the public is invited to send warm wishes and kind thoughts through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The cards will be distributed to military bases and hospitals, veterans’ hospitals and other locations during the holidays by volunteers from the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes.
Holiday cards should be addressed and sent to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Cards must be received no later than Dec. 10. Those choosing to participate are asked to refrain from sending “care packages,” monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards.
“It’s an honor for our community to help make the holidays special for American heroes,” said Paula Rutledge, executive director of the Franklin County Chapter of the Red Cross. “The American Red Cross serves and supports members of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces.”
For more information, visit http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.
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