Opinion
How to spread Valentine’s Day love to veterans and deployed service members
Valentine’s Day is a superb day to point out your thanks and appreciation to former and present service members.
Should you don’t occur to know a veteran or anybody who’s at present serving within the armed forces, there are Valentine’s Day card drives which are being hosted by a number of nonprofit organizations all through the nation.
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Listed here are three nonprofits which are serving to individuals unfold Valentine’s Day cheer.
Hugs for Troopers
You may ship your greatest needs to deployed service members by Hugs for Troopers. The Georgia-based nonprofit helps civilians ship patriotic playing cards and letters of appreciation to courageous troops all 12 months spherical. Hugs for Troopers instructed Fox Information Digital that the group is accepting playing cards and can bundle them in care packages which are being despatched to energetic service members who’ve requested for assist.
Valentine’s Day is a superb day to point out your thanks and appreciation to former and present service members.
(iStock)
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Hugs for Troopers recommends sending in handwritten letters or notes a number of weeks earlier than Valentine’s Day since delivery for the playing cards usually takes two weeks. Considerate civilians can mail their vacation or common thanks card and elective unsealed card envelope to one of many two addresses under.
If utilizing the U.S. Postal Service:
Hugs for Troopers
P.O. Field 2887
Duluth, GA 30096
If utilizing FedEx or UPS:
Hugs for Troopers
Duluth First United Methodist Church
3208 Duluth Freeway 120
Duluth, GA 30096
Hugs for Troopers screens playing cards earlier than delivery them out. Ideas the group offers civilians embrace holding playing cards to a dimension no greater than commonplace 8.5-by-11-inch letter paper, avoiding glitter and spreading optimistic messages. Offering pictures and make contact with data is elective.
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Operation Gratitude
You may ship a Valentine’s Day card or care package deal to deployed troops, veterans, army households and first responders by Operation Gratitude. The California-based nonprofit accepts ready playing cards for care packages all 12 months spherical. Operation Gratitude’s Greeting Card Brigade additionally accepts clean handmade greeting playing cards which are offered to service members who ship playing cards to family members, family and friends.
Operation Gratitude will try to ship out Valentine’s Day-themed greeting playing cards in the event that they’re mailed to the group early sufficient, however timeless playing cards are most popular. The playing cards could be mailed or dropped off in particular person on the tackle under.
Operation Gratitude
9409 Owensmouth
Chatsworth CA 91311
The bespoke playing cards which are made should stay clean inside and measure between 4.25-by-5.5 inches and 5-by-7 inches. Envelopes are required, so service members overseas can mail the playing cards again dwelling. Authorised card decorations embrace ribbons, lace, bows and 3D stickers – all of which should be securely connected. Pearls, rhinestones and glitter are usually not permitted as a result of it usually falls out throughout delivery. Whereas not required, clear card sleeves are welcome to protect the cardboard’s design. Senders even have the choice to offer return addresses in case they’d like to listen to from service members.
Operation Gratitude care packages could be despatched to troops, households and first responders by money donations. The nonprofit ships three care packages for each $45 donation.
Troopers’ Angels
Should you’d prefer to ship Valentine’s Day playing cards to deployed troops and VA Hospitals, check out Troopers’ Angels. The Texas-based nonprofit is working a “Valentines for Veterans” marketing campaign the place civilians can submit store-bought or handmade playing cards and individually wrapped sweet. To take part within the marketing campaign, Troopers’ Angels solely asks for $1 in money or examine to cowl delivery prices.
Troopers’ Angels might be accepting Valentine’s Day playing cards till Feb. 14.
Valentines for Veterans contributors can mail their card, $1 contribution, elective unsealed card envelope and sweet to the tackle under.
Troopers’ Angels Valentines for Veterans
2895 NE Loop 410, Suite 107
San Antonio, TX 78218
Return addresses are welcome in case you’re open to listening to from the Valentine’s Day card recipient, however it’s not a requirement for marketing campaign participation.
