Mission: Cards of Support
Stuck at home in self-quarantine or shelter-in-place orders? Don’t let boredom set in– pick up a pen and greeting card and write a note of support for deployed service members and veterans! These are trying times and many of our service members are on the frontlines of battling this war against the Coronavirus. Not to mention, they are thousands of miles away from their family members who may be facing their own Coronavirus challenges. The cards will also be shared with veterans in VA’s and veteran-focused assisted living facilities — all of which are currently not allowing any visitors. A greeting card would be the only way to provide a message of support during this period of isolation. Let’s come together and send them all some hope, love, and well-wishes!
Any type of card will do– thank you, thinking of you, blank, or handmade– what’s important is that we share a message of support with those who continue to serve our country amid something as unexpected as a global pandemic.
After you write your cards, simply include $1 per car card and mail the cards to our headquarters in San Antonio. The cards will be included in care packages that are shipped to deployed service members around the world and will also be sent in bulk to VA’s and veteran-focused assisted living facilities. The $1 will go towards one of the many Soldiers’ Angels programs providing COVID-19 relief and support. Learn more about the growing list of COVID-19 support programs here.
Mail your cards and $1 per card to:
Soldiers’ Angels – Cards of Support2895 NE Loop 410, Suite 107 San Antonio, Texas 78218
Please Note: We have already had some concerns brought forward regarding transmitting COVID-19 through the mail. Rest assured these cards have a long journey ahead of them after they leave your hands! It will take 3-5 days for the cards to reach our headquarters in San Antonio, another 5-7 days for them to be opened, sorted, and packed into care packages, and then an additional week to reach VA’s or veteran-focused assisted living facilities, or two weeks+ for the care packages to reach their final destination. The world is moving at a snail’s pace right now, so in other words, we are fairly certain that any germs that may accompany the card you write will have plenty of time to die before landing in the hands of a deployed service member!
Please find the answers to some general questions below, but feel free to email us here if you have any further questions!
Thank you in advance for your incredible patriotism! And please, heed the guidelines of your local government– stay home, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands often!
Soldiers’ Angels Mission: Cards of Support FAQ:
Q: How many cards can I send?
A: As many as you want! Please just make sure to include a monetary donation with your valentines for the same number of cards as you send: 1 card = $1, 10 cards = $10, etc.
Q: Where do cards go?
A: After we receive your donation of cards to our Headquarters in San Antonio, we will distribute cards to troops around the world. We will pack boxes of cards and ship them to the deployed service members we support and/or the cards will be included in individual care packages that will be sent to service members who are deployed to a combat zone and who have registered to receive support from Soldiers’ Angels. Soldiers’ Angels is also working with VA’s across the country and veteran-focused assisted living facilities who have expressed needs for morale-boosting items for the veterans who can no longer have visitors during this crisis.
Q: What is the deadline to send cards?
A: At this point… it’s hard to tell. At a minimum through the life of this current pandemic crisis– but our deployed service members would still love to hear from you even after the dust from this crisis settles!
Q: I know someone who works at a major greeting card manufacturing company– can I ask for donations from that company?
A: The short answer is no, please do not solicit donations (cash or in-kind items) from any major company. Here’s why: Soldiers’ Angels has created collection campaigns throughout the year as an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to come together and give back to our troops and veterans. These collection campaigns are meant to be held in a way that general members of the public (ie, your friends, family, classmates, co-workers, etc.) can donate to the campaign. If you are hosting a collection, please do not solicit cash or in-kind donations from retailers, manufacturers, large corporations, or any other business entity. Due to the nature of those requests and the paperwork involved, solicitation of donations must come directly from Soldiers’ Angels. In most cases, we already have a relationship established with many of the major businesses. If you happen to have a connection at a retailer, manufacturer, large corporation, or other business entity that you think would be willing to donate cash or in-kind items to Soldiers’ Angels, please reach out to us and we would be happy to contact them. Email: [email protected]
Q: Do they need to be store-bought cards?
A: They can be store-bought cards, but they can also be handmade crafty cards of any skill level. The handmade cards we receive from school children of every age are often the most touching. So get out the construction paper, markers and, whatever else you can find lying around the house and get crafting!
Q: What should I write in the cards?
A: Our best suggestion is to keep it general. “Thank you for your service” is a great sentiment to share with service members and veterans no matter what time of year. We just ask that you do not include any political or religious statements. Please remember, we want to share our love with these heroes and sheroes, not our opinions.
Also, please keep in mind, we do not have the resources at our headquarters to sort the cards based on who they are addressed to— service member/veteran or male/female. With that in mind, it’s best to create cards that could go to either an active duty service member or veteran and/or a male service member or a female service member. Our suggestion is to address your message with a term like “Dear Hero” that could be applicable to any service member or veteran.
Lastly, keep in mind the uniqueness of our current situation. This pandemic has caused an unprecedented “pause” in life as we know it for every single person on this planet. I am certain many of our deployed service members are curious about what the U.S. is like during this situation. Share with them some of the unique experiences you have witnessed during the crisis. Even the smallest detail can help to keep them connected to their country and remind them of home! Likewise, veterans who no longer can have visitors are only receiving information on the crisis through news networks, many of which are focusing on the bleak details of the situation. However, letting them know the “less-covered” details or, even better, the good stories that are coming out of the crisis could be very uplifting. For example, in our community, businesses and private citizens have been making bags of snacks for families whose children rely on school meals– anyone in the community is welcome to come and get the bags, no questions asked. What’s unique about your community? Or, if you’re under full quarantine orders, what are you doing to stay busy?
Q: Should I include cash or a check?
A: Either is fine, as long as your donation amount matches the number of cards you send. If you prefer to send a check, please make the check payable to: Soldiers’ Angels. A money order would also be acceptable.
Soliciting Donations
Soldiers’ Angels has created collection campaigns throughout the year as an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to come together and give back to our troops and veterans. These collection campaigns are meant to be held in a way that general members of the public (ie, your friends, family, classmates, co-workers, etc.) can donate to the campaign. If you are hosting a collection, please do not solicit cash or in-kind donations from retailers, manufacturers, large corporations, or any other business entity. Due to the nature of those requests and the paperwork involved, solicitation of donations must come directly from Soldiers’ Angels. In most cases, we already have a relationship established with many of the major businesses. If you happen to have a connection at a retailer, manufacturer, large corporation, or other business entity that you think would be willing to donate cash or in-kind items to Soldiers’ Angels, please reach out to us and we would be happy to contact them. Email: [email protected]