POTSDAM -- For the fourth year in a row, the American Red Cross is collecting cards from the public to distribute to U.S. military service members, veterans, and their families across the country and abroad this holiday season.

However, the Dec. 10 deadline for cards is approaching fast, said Olga Grant

Branch Manager of the Potsdam Red Cross office.

“There are currently 1.4 million active duty service members, and tens of thousands of will find themselves away from home during this holiday season,” said Sherri Brown, senior vice president of Service to the Armed Forces at the American Red Cross. “Through Holiday Mail for Heroes, Americans can help send a touch of home to our men and women in uniform, their families and many of our nation’s 24 million veterans.”

To participate in the campaign, the public can send holiday cards with personal messages to: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. For reasons of processing and safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending “care packages” or monetary gifts; using glitter; or including any inserts with the cards.

The public can also support military members, veterans and their families by making an online donation at www.redcross.org/holidaymail. Donors can add a personal message to one of four holiday cards designed by American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet members Amy Grant, Jane Seymour, Miley Cyrus and Dr. Phil McGraw. The Red Cross will then deliver the printed holiday card to a military member, veteran or family.

The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations in the U.S. and abroad during the holidays.

Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and shipping at no charge, as well as providing thousands of volunteer hours around the country. The Red Cross will utilize volunteers at more than 200 participating chapters nationwide to sort and deliver holiday greetings to military and veteran’s hospitals and military bases throughout December.

For more ways to become involved with the campaign visit www.facebook.com/redcross and www.twitter.com/redcross and by using the #HMFH or #holidaymail hashtags.

For more information and card requirements, visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail.