Spc. Matthew King of Lompoc, CA reads a card from home. Photo: Chris Hondros, Getty Images

For the third consecutive year, the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are joining forces to send seasonal cheer to soldiers, veterans and their families during the holiday season through the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

Holiday Mail for Heroes makes it easy for all of us to say "Thanks!" and "We're thinking of you!" to these brave Americans, particularly to the millions of soldiers, like my brother-in-law Chris (aka "Sgt. McHottie") and his team, the ODA 7315, who will be overseas and away from our families during the holidays.

Here's how it works:

1. Between now and the cut-off date of Monday, December 7th, you send a card to:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

2. Pitney Bowes screens the cards to make sure they're safe (no hazardous materials) and forwards them to participating Red Cross chapters nationwide.

3. The Red Cross sorts and reviews the cards, and distributes them to service members, their families and veterans

It's so easy you could fit it in with your errands today!

They do have some basic rules:
  • Sign all cards.
  • Address them to "Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran."
  • There's a limit of 15 cards per person or 50 for a school class or business group.
  • Please bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes.
To keep the program streamlined, safe and consistent, they ask that you not:
  • Send letters.
  • Include personal information such as home or email addresses.
  • Use glitter because it can aggravate the wounds of hurt soldiers.
  • Include inserts of any kind -- they'll be removed in the screening process.

According to the Red Cross, there are over 1.4 million men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces, and over 24 million veterans. This is the perfect way to thank them, and their families, for serving their country, with a holiday greeting!