Siouxland Area Chapter to Send a “Touch of Home” to Service Members, Veterans and Family Members this Holiday Season
Red Cross and Pioneer Bank Invite People to Participate in Holiday Mail for Heroes Program
Sioux City, November 9, 2009— On Veteran’s Day the American Red Cross, Pioneer Bank, Support Siouxland Soldiers, and Pitney Bowes are teaming up to collect holiday cards for service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season.
Between November 11 and December 7, the public is invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. Cards will then be screened, sorted and boxed for delivery by hundreds of Red Cross volunteers. Sorted cards will be included in the Support Siouxland Soldiers care packages for service members overseas.
“One holiday card is all it takes to make a difference in the life of the millions of active duty military men and women, veterans and family members, said Tammie Pech of the Chapter. “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.”
Last year, with the help of Pitney Bowes, hundreds of volunteers screened, sorted and packaged cards that were delivered to military bases, veteran and military hospitals across the U.S. and around the world.
“We will be collecting unsigned and signed cards from families, groups, and classrooms at Pioneer Bank locations and during our Tour of Homes,” stated Tammie. Please drop off or mail cards to any of the four Pioneer Bank locations in Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, and Salix or the American Red Cross at 4200 War Eagle Drive Sioux City, IA 51109. Please keep cards generic and do not include personal information or gifts. Visit
Redcross.org/holidaymail for a full list of recommended guidelines and best practices on the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.
In 2007, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC approached the Red Cross to help distribute thousands of cards that came into the facility for wounded soldiers. The Red Cross in turn reached out to Pitney Bowes to help initiate the Holiday for Mail for Heroes program.
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. 
