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I need to call the Local American Red Cross to get some addresses for the military personnel to whom I could send cards. I wish I could do more. But that is today's goal.
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Holiday Mail for Heroes
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/e...
Holiday Mail for Heroes Program Overview
The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s time again to start thinking about being part of the 2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes. For a fifth year, American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are partnering to ensure all Americans have an opportunity to send a touch of home this holiday season to members of our U.S. military, veterans and their families, many of whom will be far away from home this holiday season.
Starting this fall and throughout the holiday season, the Red Cross is working with Pitney Bowes, a mail stream technology company, to collect and distribute holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world.
The process is very simple and takes no time at all - All you need is a pen and piece of paper to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the U.S. Armed Forces make to protect our freedoms The Holiday Mail for Heroes mail box is open and ready to receive for your cards. Please send all mail to:
Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
Sending a “touch of home” to American men and women who serve our country is the perfect way to express your appreciation and support during the holiday season.
Card Guidelines
Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.
Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:
All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.
Ensure that all cards are signed.
Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.
Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
We encourage participants to mail as many cards as they are comfortable sending. If you are mailing a large quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes or use a flat rate box from the post office. Each card does not need its own envelope, as cards will be removed from all envelopes before distribution.
Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery
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I also bought some Christmas cards and put the above address on the envelopes. I am going to give those to anyone who wants to send them.
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First, I called the local shelter here in town and asked specifically what things they need. They specified the great need for toys, as they have several children who reside there. This was a tough one to collect, who has extra unwrapped toys hanging around?
But they also needed wrapping paper, tape, paper products (toilet paper, etc), cleaning supplies, and socks. They go through a lot of socks.
As we went around, most people were hesitant to even open the door, understandable. We handed out all of the military holiday cards, people were willing and even excited to send those. Some people with kids were going to have the kids draw pictures in the cards, too.
Some people asked how much they owed us, lol. We were not there to solicit or ask for money. It was nice to be able to say that.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to collect as much as we had hoped. One lady gave us a huge bag of plastic plates, bowles and cups plus napkins. I'm sure that is needed. Another lady gave us a HUGE roll of wrapping paper. It was so big and heavy, I'm sure that with her donation alone they could wrap all the presents! lol. My sister gave a several-role package of toilet paper. I had some gift boxes, tags, and a remote-control helicopter I'm sure someone would like. My husband (with whom I no longer live), even gave me $10 to go to the store and get something from him.
Every little bit helps. We didn't finish in time to drop off the items last night so I will have to take them on Tuesday.
It feels good.
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Heather, I've read all the story of your recent good deeds. Thank you. You remind us not to forget about others who are in need.
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Have you hugged someone recently? Hugs can communicate a number of things: A hug is a great way to let someone you care about them; It can be a way to comfort someone who has experienced loss; or it can be a way to say "hello" to a friend.
Whatever the situation, giving a hug is a simple act that’s sure to brighten someone’s day! Plus, research shows that hugs release dopamine, lower blood pressure and heart rate. Who doesn't want to be relaxed and happy?
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/K...
How Hugs are Proven to Help Your Health: Have You Been Hugged Today?
by www.SixWise.com
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06...
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Make a list of all the things you are grateful for in your life. At first you might only be able to think of a few things, but keep going! Ask your friends and family around you to help build this list. You will be amazed at how long this list grows. Tape the list somewhere you will see it often--perhaps to the refrigerator or next to a mirror. You will find just looking at the list will continue to make you a grateful person.
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I made it...I'm home! I am very grateful for the extra energy I had to make it through the day.
Heather wrote: "Not a big thing but...today I was having a REALLY hard time at work not falling asleep. I'm sure a lot of us can relate! That is just not an option, and when it's slow in the clinic, I want to put ..."We all have days that we're really grateful for coffee. Sometimes it's the little things in life that mean so much!
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Wouldn't this world be a better place if more people were looking and talking about the positive instead of the negative? Something I would like to better myself!
http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/K...
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
So what will we do today? Share with us what one thing you will do today. Then if you are so inclined, you can share at the end of the day any special experience you had with your day's goal...no matter how small.
“Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”
Even if it's just a smile :)