Join the Northwest Region of the American Red Cross in honoring military heroes this holiday season through our Holiday for Heroes initiative. This year, we invite you to partner with us in providing holiday care packages to active-duty military members deployed around the globe and spreading holiday cheer to local service members and veterans in Washington state.

OPERATION HOLIDAY CHEER

The local Red Cross team is preparing care packages destined for Boleslawiec, Poland and the 1,500 U.S. service members currently deployed there. You can support this initiative by donating any of the following items:

• Individually packaged snacks like chocolate, candy, cookies, sunflower seeds, microwave popcorn, beef jerky, or chips
• Protein and granola bars
• Individual electrolyte powder drink packets
• Individual energy drink packets
• Non-aerosol shaving cream
• Disposable razors
• Body wash, shampoo, & conditioner
• Nail clippers

Support Operation Holiday Cheer by purchasing any of these needed items and dropping them off at our Red Cross office on Joint Base Lewis-McChord by November 18, 2024:

American Red Cross

4201 West Way

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433

This Red Cross office location is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There is a drop box outside the front door to leave items after hours. Additionally, items can be purchased directly from this wishlist and shipped to this Red Cross office on Joint Base Lewis-McChord to support this cause.

HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES

Holiday Mail is a decades-long tradition which enables Americans to “Give Something That Means Something” during the holiday season. We’re accepting cards and individually packaged cookies that will be distributed to veterans, service members and families in Washington state. Cookies must be individually packaged, we cannot accept donations of homemade cookies.

Guidelines for Holiday Cards

• Cards can be purchased or homemade.
• Please ensure all cards are signed and do not include envelopes. Please only sign with your first name only.
• Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member,” “Dear Veteran,” “Dear American Warrior,” or “Dear Military Family” and write your best wishes for the holidays and a heartfelt thank you for their service.
• Do not include email addresses or home addresses on the cards
• No glitter. Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter

Delivery Instructions

Cards and individually packaged cookies should be dropped off at our Red Cross office no later than Wednesday, December 6, 2024 to ensure timely delivery for the holiday season.

American Red Cross

4201 West Way

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433

Red Cross representatives will be present to accept donations from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Additionally, there is a drop box outside the office location where cards can be donated. 

Spread cheer beyond this season with your local Red Cross! There are a variety of opportunities to get involved with the local Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces team all year round. To learn more about Red Cross 24/7 global emergency communication services, support in military and veteran healthcare facilities, deployment resources and more, click here.