Students at the Brighton campus of Ross Medical Education Center are showing their appreciation for our troops by making handmade Christmas cards to be distributed by the Hero Helpers of America to our soldiers this holiday season. Our talented students used their creativity to handcraft the cards with heartfelt messages while enjoying a Christmas cookie during their break time. Office Assistants, Samantha Sharp and Nancy Dolin, and Financial Aid Student Support Representative, Mary Schwaderer, collected supplies and cookies and organized the event. The students really enjoyed the opportunity to thank our service personnel. The 90+ cards will be sent to Operation Christmas Cards in care of the Hero Helpers of America.
Valiant Veterans founded Operation Christmas Cards (OCC) in 2009 in order to bring some holiday cheer to troops who were deployed over the holidays. Their goal in 2009 was to send 10,000 cards to these deployed troops. In just 5 short years, 1.5 million cards have been shipped to these brave men and women. People from every state and many countries around the world create or write in holiday cards to thank our service members and remind them that they are not forgotten; they are appreciated and supported for all that they do.
This year, Operation Christmas Cards has collaborated with the Hero Helpers of America (http://www.herohelpersofamerica.org). If you would like to join in this effort, they have the following requirements:
- minimum of 5 heartfelt, appreciative or supportive sentences (remember for some this is the only mail they will get)
- please do NOT seal the envelope
- cards can be hand made or store bought
- envelopes can decorated
- children may draw photos and color pictures as well, these are loved by all as many have children
- please do NOT put stamps on each envelope. We mail in bulk as it is cheaper and easier
- you may include your email or return address to be contacted back (please remember, not all will right back as they may not have the ability to send return mail, or the time as many are in combat zones)
- you may include photos, however, these need to be family friendly and appropriate.
- DEADLINE December 12, 2014
This is a volunteer organization and with that in mind, they appreciate monetary donations. Donations are to be made out to “LiveLife Center” (tax deductible). Addresses for your loved ones and friends to receive cards can be emailed to amanda@valiantveterans.org. Be sure to find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/operationchristmascards.
Cards and donations can be mailed to:
Operation Christmas Cards
C/O Hero Helpers of America
PO Box 0352
Mansfield MA, 02048