WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Red Cross is once again sponsoring "Holiday Mail For Heroes," a program that allows the public to send holiday cards to service members and their families around the world.

"As the holidays approach, each of us should spend some time thinking about our soldiers overseas, their families and our many wounded warriors and veterans," said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who wrote several cards with his staff on Thursday. "I am especially thankful to the many soldiers who are spending so long away from loved ones. I thank them for their service."

Red Cross and its program partner Pitney Bowes, a mail management company, will screen cards, package them and deliver them to wounded warriors, service members, their families and veterans in communities around the world.

Last year, more than 600,000 cards were sent to servicemen and women. This year, Red Cross hope to collect more than 1 million cards.

Holiday cards should be sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Cards must be sent with proper postage and must be received by December 10. Card writers are asked to not send care packages, monetary gifts or other inserts. Multiple cards can be sent in the same envelope, but individuals are asked to limit their contribution to 25 cards, with school classes limited to 50 cards.

For a full list of guidelines and free, printable cards, visit http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail.

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