At the American Red Cross serving Northern Minnesota, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program will distribute more than 6,000 cards to service members and veterans. As of this writing, cards will be going to all of the following groups:
- 148th Fighter Wing
- 114th Transportation Company
- Silver Bay Veterans Home
- Duluth Coast Guard Station
- 94th Cavalry
- 950th Transportation Engineers
- 1st Combined Arms Battalion – Brainerd
- VFW of Cook
- Superior VA Clinic
- MAC-V Duluth
The cards are appreciated by the units and their military members. The 950th Transportation Engineers, who are based in Superior, WI, deployed this fall to Afghanistan. We mailed then 100 bundles of cards in Texas where they will have an early Christmas before deploying overseas in late December. Upon hearing the cards had shipped, their family readiness leader sent us this message: “This is wonderful! The soldiers will love them! Thank you so much for your support!”
Making cards can be extremely special. The United Way of Greater Duluth did a card signing event at their family day event the week before Thanksgiving and sent in some incredible cards, as well as this message: “Thanks for the opportunity to spread holiday cheer to our Armed Forces and Veterans! What a wonderful program!” Some businesses really came through as well, including awesome staff from DeCare Dental in Gilbert, who made over 1,000 cards for the program. Another outstanding supporter was Bent Paddle Brewery in Duluth, which contributed financially by paying for cards to be made as well as hosting card signing events at the brewery.
None of this would be possible without the commitment of volunteers and the generous spirit of people of all ages, from every corner of Northern Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin, who opened their hearts to send holiday greetings to our military heroes.
Story and photos by Dan Williams, Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving Northern Minnesota. To learn more getting involved with Red Cross, click here.
American Red Cross 