The Service to the Armed Forces Department of the American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter collected more than 4,000 holiday greeting cards for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. They will be distributed to our local National Guardsmen and Reservists, as well as service members supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan during the holiday season.

Cards have been signed by Governor Chris Gregoire and the First Gentlemen, State Representative Laurie Jinkins, Red Cross Mount Rainier board members, staff and volunteers, members of The American Legion, Brigadier General Farris from 7th Infantry Division, Colonel Johnson, I Corps, Director of Public Affairs, and Colonel Bowers, ASAF Commander, 446th Airlift Wing.

Cards have also been signed by Tacoma business men and women, Tacoma Public School students, local Girl Scout troops, church members in Olympia and retirement community residents, as well as Wal-Mart and Westfield Capital Mall shoppers.

“We hope people will continue this simple, yet very meaningful tradition of giving thanks to those who have sacrificed so much,” said Tracy Peacock, Chapter Executive of the American Red Cross Mount Rainier.

Once the Red Cross receives the cards, Pitney Bowes Inc. scans them to ensure safety and security. Red Cross volunteers sort and deliver them to military installations in VA and military hospitals, as well as VA organizations throughout the United States and overseas.

The public can connect with fellow card senders through Facebook at facebook.com/redcross and Twitter at Twitter.com/redcross using the hashtag #holiday mail.