Press release

Imagine being a U.S. service member stationed abroad. You miss your friends and family every day, but especially during the holidays. A simple note from home can make a profound impact. You can help the American Red Cross send some holiday cheer to the servicemen and women who help defend our freedom. All you need is a pen and piece of paper to show your appreciation!

The American Red Cross Holiday For Heroes program is an annual campaign that lets the community send messages of thanks and holiday cheer to service members, veterans and military families. North Central Ohio Chapter Executive Director Todd James says the program is easy to participate in.

“Whether you make a card or buy a card, it just takes a moment to sign it and share your appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the military and veteran community.”  James says individuals, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate by collecting cards and delivering them to the Hancock County Red Cross office.

The Red Cross will be hosting a card making party on Thursday, November 17, 6:00-8:00pm at the Hancock County office, 125 Fair St. in Findlay.  Supplies for making cards will be provided and the public is invited to attend.

Cards can be dropped off or mailed to the Hancock County Red Cross office, 125 Fair St. Findlay, OH 45840, until November 18.  Individuals are asked to refrain from sending letters, monetary donations or any other inserts with the cards and from using glitter.

Holiday Care Packages Being Sent Overseas

As part of the Holiday For Heroes campaign, the Red Cross is collecting specific items to be distributed to armed forces personnel in Kuwait, and Djibouti. Care packages will be assembled and sent to our service members to show them that we appreciate their sacrifice and to bring them a little comfort from home.  “These are everyday items that we take for granted” says James. “But for servicemen and women overseas, they mean a lot and can make their lives a little bit more comfortable.  Sending these packages is an easy way to say thanks and happy holidays to those sacrificing so much for our freedom.”

James says the list of items being collected comes straight from the troops.  “The Red Cross has Service to the Armed Forces stations on these bases and our personnel who serve the troops provided a list of items that our brave men and women need and want.  That’s the list we are using to fill the care packages,” says James.   Items needed include:

  • Full sized and travel sizes toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, body wash)
  • Feminine Hygiene items (pads and tampons)
  • Deodorant
  • Body/foot powder
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Tissues
  • Shave gel (no aerosol cans)
  • Dice
  • Books
  • Board Games
  • Protein bars/Nutrigrain bar type foods
  • Candy
  • Nuts
  • Gum
  • Beef sticks / jerky
  • Cookies
  • Crackers
  • Pop-tarts
  • Ramen/macaroni and cheese / Cup o Noodles / Soup in Hand / Handy Meals (heat and serve that come in their own serving bowls)
  • Just Add Water muffin /cake/ cookie/  bread mixes

Red Cross volunteers will be at the Tiffin Avenue and Trenton Avenue Walmart stores in Findlay on Saturday, November 5, 10:00a.m.-4:00pm collecting donated items for the care packages. Volunteers will be outside the store’s entrances with flyers listing the items needed. Shoppers can purchase items and give them to the volunteers as they leave the store.

James says the deadline for collecting the items is Friday, November 18. “That gives us enough time to pack the boxes and get them in the mail, so they arrive overseas in time for the holiday season.”

Items can also be dropped off at the Red Cross office at 125 Fair St. in Findlay. James says the Red Cross is also accepting monetary donations to help cover the costs of shipping the packages overseas.

Cards and gift package items can be mailed or dropped off by November 18 to these Red Cross locations as well:

Marion County office, 1849 Summerset Dr., Marion, OH 43302

Morrow County office, 37 W. Center St., Mt. Gilead, OH 43338

Crawford County office, 110 E. Mary St., Bucyrus, OH 44820

Union County Office, 131 N. Main St., Marysville, OH 43040