With Veterans Day just around the corner, St. Lawrence County Clerk Mary Lou Rupp is joining state Senator Patty Ritchie in her campaign to collect holiday cards for members of the military as part of the “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program.

“The holidays can be a lonely time for our men and women in the military,” said Rupp. “That’s why I am collecting cards at my DMV offices in Canton, Ogdensburg, Massena, Gouverneur and the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s office in the county courthouse.”

The program, which is sponsored by the American Red Cross, aims to collect donated Christmas cards to be sent to U.S. soldiers serving overseas. This year, Senator Ritchie is also once again joining with Ogdensburg native and Albany radio host Melody Burns to collect holiday greetings.

Last year, Ritchie collected 2,200 holiday cards from Central and Northern New Yorkers to distribute to service members at military installations, veterans hospitals and other locations.

“The Red Cross and I want to make sure every member of our armed forces hears from the folks back home this Christmas season,” said Ritchie.

To help send a touch of home to our troops this holiday season:

· Do not include envelopes

· Do not include personal letters, photos or inserts of any kind

· Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member,” as cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program;

· Avoid cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill and injured warriors;

Cards can also be sent to: Senator Patty Ritchie, 330 Ford St., Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669. The deadline to contribute cards is Nov. 15.