Do not feel pressured to write a long letter, any words you write can mean the world to the person who receives your letter. A short note of gratitude or a longer letter with insights into your life or your connection to service will both have incredible impact. 

Of course! You are welcome to not only type your letters, but you can send in multiple copies if you’d like. We do suggest that you sign your letters by hand, if possible, to give it a more personal touch. 

Yes! In fact, we have been told countless times that letters from children are some of the most appreciated. If your child would like to draw, please ensure that their name is on the drawing with a simple message such as “Thank You for your service”.  

Please refrain from including contact or distinguishing information for anyone under the age of 18. This includes last name, home or email address, phone numbers, school information, social media usernames and phone numbers. Instead, use only their first name and state. 

You are welcome to use thank you cards, branded stationery, lined paper, or plain white printing paper for your letters. You can write with colored pencils, markers, or pens, but do not use any type of glitter. It is truly not about the stationary or cards, but rather all about the messages that are written that mean so much.

We ask that you begin the letter with “Dear Service Member” for Deployed Troops and New Recruit Graduates. For our other programs, please use “Dear First Responder”, “Dear Veteran”, “Dear Wounded Hero”, and “Dear Caregiver”. 
 
We leave the content of the letter to you, but please keep your messages positive. Suggested topics include expressing gratitude for their service, sharing hopeful messages, well wishes, and positive thoughts. Share about yourself, family, hobbies, work, school, pets, travel, interests, etc.  

We ask that you avoid any type of religion or politics. You are welcome to say, “God Bless You” or “you are in my prayers”, but please do not write any scripture or bible verses. 

Please abstain from writing about violence, killing, illness, injury, death, and dying, etc.  

No, we do not have a pen pal program, nor can we guarantee that you’ll hear back from any letter you write.  

We suggest that you only use your first name and email address, but you are welcome to include your home address as long as you are over 18. 

We ask that you do NOT put your letters in individual envelopes. Every letter is screened prior to being included on our care packages, and envelopes just get in the way. We have to remove each envelope, and in most cases, the envelope is discarded, and we hate to waste anything.  
 
Please do not include stamps. Letters being mailed from out of the country require postage from the country the letter is mailed from, not US postage stamps. 

Please send your letters flat and use paper clips to put them in categories. You are welcome to combine your letters with any other items you donate. 

No, we do not offer community service for letter writing.