Good morning, Camaro Comrades and Firebird Friends........
Seems my message yesterday contained an 'urban legend' -- and I thank those of you who alerted me to this. (I need to check
www.snopes.com more often......)
Walter Reed Hospital -- because of security -- will discard any mail addressed to "Recovering Soldier" or any other such generic address.........(which is very understandable considering the threats of terrorism we face........)
I've included the link to snopes - and a message from the American Red Cross and Pitney-Bowes who have teamed up to assist in getting well-wishes to the many recovering soldiers...........
Yes -- I made some telephone calls -- and yes, this is on the up-and-up.......I had a great conversation with Devorah Goldburg at the American Red Cross and they're very excited to be a part of this program. She simply asks the following:
>Do NOT send mail after December 22nd -- anything received after the 26th will be discarded.
>Do NOT send any packages -- letters and cards only, please.......
>Do NOT add glitter or any inserts that would be inappropriate in a hospital setting............
Holiday cards should be addressed to:
We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross PO Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419
My hat is off to the American Red Cross and the Pitney-Bowes Corporation for their offer to make this program work.............this means we (that's you and me) need to show our support!
Here is the press release and detailed info:
STAMFORD, Conn. & WASHINGTON, Dec 05, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PBI | charts | news | PowerRating -- America's wounded soldiers are always grateful for supportive cards and notes - especially during the holiday season.
This season, communities across America are invited to mail holiday greeting cards along with personal messages of support to wounded service members at military hospitals around the country through a unique partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc.
With the support of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and with help from Pitney Bowes Government Solutions, the American Red Cross will collect, review and disseminate holiday greeting cards to wounded military personnel. For security reasons, the Red Cross will only be able to accept holiday cards, not packages. Red Cross volunteers will receive and bundle the cards to be shipped by Pitney Bowes Government Solutions. Then, Red Cross volunteers at military medical facilities will distribute the cards to patients and their families in time for the holidays.
"So many Americans want to show their support and gratitude by reaching out to wounded service members at Walter Reed and other medical centers during the holiday season," said Neal Denton, American Red Cross Senior Vice President for Service to the Armed Forces. "With the support of the Department of Defense, Walter Reed leadership and Pitney Bowes, we can bring a little cheer to those soldiers," added Denton.
"It is an honor to provide this small measure of comfort at holiday time to those who have sacrificed so much," said Pitney Bowes President and CEO Murray Martin. "We want to make it as easy as possible for all Americans to show their appreciation to the men and women who serve this nation so proudly and selflessly."
Holiday cards should be addressed to:
We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross PO Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419
Be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received no later than December 27. Cards received after this date will be returned to sender. Senders are reminded that "care packages" are not part of the program. Cards and notes only - and please refrain from using glitter or any other inserts that would not be appropriate in a hospital environment.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
About Pitney Bowes
Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI) is a mailstream technology company that helps organizations manage the flow of information, mail, documents and packages. Our 35,000 employees deliver technology, service and innovation to more than two million customers worldwide. The company was founded in 1920 and annual revenues now total $6 billion. More information is available at
www.pb.com.
SOURCE: Pitney Bowes
Pitney Bowes Inc. Matthew Broder VP, External Communications 203-351-6347
Matthew.broder@pb.com or American Red Cross Devorah Goldburg 202-303-4461 202-439-0720 (cell)
GoldburgD@usa.redcross.org