State Sen. Patty Ritchie is seeking Christmas cards to send to US soldiers serving overseas for the “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program, sponsored by the American Red Cross.

“Last year, Northern and Central New Yorkers donated 2,200 holiday cards to distribute to our service members at military installations, veterans hospitals and other locations,” Ritchie said. “These cards let them know that we truly appreciate their service and their sacrifice.”

This season Ritchie is expanding the appeal to include schools, veterans and civic groups.

The guidelines for the program are:

· All cards must be signed;

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

· Only cards are being accepted. Do not include envelopes or letters;

· Do not include email or home addresses on the cards (the Red Cross says that the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships);

· Do not include inserts of any kind, such as photos;

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

· If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place them in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope, as envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

Cards can be dropped off at Ritchie’s office, 330 Ford St., Ogdensburg by Nov. 15.

For more information call Ritchie at 393-3024.