Calling all South Floridians: Create Christmas in October to Honor Military Heroes

Submitted by Tiffany Gonzalez

  Every fall for the past 10 years, caring South Floridians have teamed up with the American Red Cross to create a little holiday cheer for our troops overseas and local veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. The organization’s Holiday for Heroes project invites your community to write messages of thanks and donate snacks, playing cards and other small items for holiday care packages — which are delivered in colorful stockings hand-sewn by Red Cross volunteers.

More than 1,200 stockings were distributed during last year’s holiday season as a way to honor local veterans and active-duty soldiers around the world.

This year’s deadline for donations is Oct. 16, and it’s easy for South Florida residents to get involved. Simply purchase some of the most needed care-package items (listed below) from your favorite local store or online retailer.  Ship them directly to the Red Cross collection site at 7051 Cypress Terrace, #110, Fort Myers, FL 33907. Or drop off donations at any of the following South Florida Red Cross chapters / your local Red Cross chapter location between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter: 335 SW 27th Avenue, Miami, FL 33135

Broward County Chapter: 3696 North Federal Highway, Suite 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter: 1250 Northpoint Parkway, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter: 7051 Cypress Terrace, #110, Fort Myers, FL 33907

NEEDED CARE-PACKAGE ITEMS

  Individually packaged/travel-size snacks (nuts, trail mix, beef jerky, Slim Jim)* 

     Protein bars, granola bars, breakfast bars* 

     Non-perishable meat (individual packets of tuna, chicken, salmon; not canned)* 

     Decks of playing cards and fidget spinners

     Gum, mints, hard candy (no chocolate)

     Individual packets of flavored drink mixes (Crystal Light, electrolytes) 

     Individual packets of powdered hot cocoa or apple cider mix 

     Holiday cards and letters of appreciation (Please do not use glitter or write the date, your last name, address or personal contact information. Please use wording that will encompass the holiday spirit without reference to religion as these will go to a diverse group of service members.) 

*Most needed items 

     For more information about the Holiday for Heroes project, visit redcross.org/HolidayforHeroes or contact me at (561) 907-6668.