Holiday cards pour in for deployed troops

FORT MYERS, Fla.- A lot of love will soon be traveling from Southwest Florida overseas to service members, just in time for the holidays.

Sealed up and ready to be shipped out, thousands of Christmas cards will soon be on the journey to places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan and Germany.

“Everyone of these cards to me is a person, these are people, their emotions,” said Drew Steele with 92.5 Fox News Radio.

The cards, both store bought and handmade, have come in from around the country, as far away as California. Their final mission will land them in hands of American heroes serving overseas.

“They are going to be in a situation over the holidays where they wont be with their families,” said Steele.

Steele had one wish when he started the “10,000 for the Troops” campaign a week and a half ago. His goal was to collect 10,000 cards. His wish came true, the goal has been met and more cards are coming in every day. Over 11,000 cards have been collected as of Tuesday.

“This community has come together like I knew they would, but never imgined this fast,” said Steele.

Veteran Douglas Duckett knows how big of an impact a simple card has on our troops. He brought in 30 cards from his work, CareerSource Southwest Florida.

“When you are overseas away from your family, especially away from your family this time of year, your mind can go to some very weird places,” said Duckett.

The Military Support Program at Lee Memorial Health System is helping with the shipping. You have until Thursday, Dec. 10 to send your cards to:

10,000 for the Troops
P.O. Box 877
Fort Myers, Fl.
33902

The Military Support Program will be going through the cards to get them ready to be shipped at the following dates and times:

• Wednesday: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
• Thursday: 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.
• Friday: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.

If you are interested in helping, send an email to Kim Gaide at kim.gaide@leememorial.org or call 239-343-2045.