WHO: America Supports You is a Department of Defense program that recognizes citizens' support for our military and their families, at home and abroad, and connects individuals and organizations who wish to directly support the troops and their families. ASY is launching a text messaging program called “Giving Thanks”.
WHAT: Giving Thanks is an interactive America Supports You program taking place during the Thanksgiving holiday to offer citizens an opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who serve this nation. Major mobile wireless providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile, provide access to the America Supports You Text Message program.
WHEN: People can text a message of thanks to 8-9-2-7-9, beginning at 6am EST on Saturday, November 17, and ending at midnight, PDT on November 22, Thanksgiving Day.
WHY: The goal is for people to take a moment during the Thanksgiving holiday to think about those who are serving this nation, and act in a way that demonstrates they appreciate their sacrifices. Giving Thanks offers a unifying moment for the nation, during a time in which families traditionally come together and express gratitude for things large and small that contribute to their lives. The United States currently has brave military men and women serving in 177 countries. These troops and their families will be informed about how many people have texted in their thanks and will get to see many of the messages, reminding them that people back home do care.
HOW: On Thanksgiving Day America Supports You will tabulate the number of messages sent to the troops. The volume of text messages will serve as a reminder to our military that the folks back home are grateful for their service.
About America Supports You Since its formation three years ago, the America Supports You program has welcomed over 300 grassroots organizations and 35 corporate partners to its team. Many America Supports You team members support the troops through letter writing, care packages, helping the wounded when they return home, assisting military families, sending an email, or making a kind gesture—to learn more about how you can help please visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil
Red Cross “Holiday Mail Call” Program 2008 Guidelines
The American Red Cross is pleased to announce that it will sponsor a national “Holiday Mail Call” program in 2008 as it did in 2007! Last year the Red Cross reviewed and distributed over 600,000 cards to our wounded service members at hospitals around the country and overseas. This year we want to expand who is reached with the holiday greeting cards to include not only our wounded warriors, but all service members and their families, as well as veterans. Our goal is to reach 1,000,000 persons this year to show our appreciation for their service and wish them well over the holiday season and with your help we will!
Start Date of the Program: Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2008
Mailing Address:
Red Cross Holiday Mail Call
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791‐5456
•The Guidelines below should be followed to enable a quick reviewing process as well as to ensure that cards are not offensive in any way to anyone who might receive one:
1. Please ensure all cards are signed
2. Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process
3. Please do not include e‐mail or home addresses on the cards as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships
•Please do not insert photos, money, religious articles (i.e.‐rosary beads, prayer cards, etc), glitter, ‘snow’ or like items in cards as these items will be removed during the reviewing process
•Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted with cards. Those wishing to send calling cards or gift cards/certificates should go to http://www.aafes.com/, scroll down to “AAFES Community Connection” and click on “Help Our Troops Call Home” or “Gift Cards/Certificates for Our Troops” in order to send such items
•No ‘Care Packages’ will be accepted at this address. Those wishing to send care packages should go to http://www.americasupportsyou.com/ and click under “Home front Groups” to find out how to send care packages
•Participants are requested not to send more than 25 cards from any one person or 50 cards from any one group.
• End Date of the Program: All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008
3 comments:
I do not have text on my cell...can you believe that. I know, so I am still not hip to all the text talk. My kids will be better at that than me. LOl. But we can send a card. Thanks for the information.
MImi
Thanks for all the info! My DIL served in Iraq and we like to do things with the kids so they understand that there are those that are not home for the Holidays or in the hospital. Thank You!
Great information.
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