Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge

Sending care and respect to United States military, veterans and service families

The Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge encourages 4-H clubs to participate in making and sending a holiday card to deployed United States troops, veterans and military families. Personalized signed holiday cards and letters show your support and appreciation for our military heroes, letting them know they are not alone during the holidays. 

In 2017, Dr. Laura Landerman-Garber created the Card Challenge with the goal of sending holiday cards to military troops, veterans and service families to decrease the airspace between the public and our military. Over one million cards have been delivered. 

We are encouraging all 4-H clubs to make holiday cards to send to our military troops. 

Card Signing Guidelines

Follow these guidelines when creating holiday cards to ensure the cards are accepted by the United States Postal Service for shipping. If your card is homemade, keep the size to no larger than an 8.5 x 11 size paper folded in half.

1. Please address the card to "Dear Warrior."
   
2. Write a message of gratitude and a holiday greeting, keep in mind that our troops are diverse in their holiday practices and beliefs.
   
3. Write a personal note. For example: What are your family memories of holidays or include your favorite things to do in 4-H. Mention if anyone in your family has served. Poems, jokes and drawings are always appreciated.
   
4. Sign only your first name, city and state.
   
5. Do not put the card in an envelope. 
   
6. Each 4-H club can designate a card drop off location, after the cards have been collected, they can be shipped.

The shipping address for the holiday card challenge is:

Laura Landerman-Garber
Holiday Card Challenge
PO Box 103
Hollis, New Hampshire 03049

The Holiday Card Challenge sends cards for all occasions, including but not limited to: Valentine's Day, Spring, Easter, Passover and Winter.

Writing Prompts

These prompts can be used if you need ideas on what to include in the card.

• My favorite holiday tradition is...
• Where I live, we celebrate by...
• I know someone in the military...
• My holiday wish for you is...
• My favorite sport/book/hobby is...
• When I grow up, I want to...
• In my free time, I...
• I appreciate what you do because...

Report Cards Sent to New Hampshire

WVU Extension 4-H clubs and other 4-H members need to complete this survey to report the cards sent to New Hampshire for the Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge.

Complete the survey

Join 4-H'er Karsen Wright as she introduces the Holiday Card Challenge

Contact holidaycardsnh@gmail.com with any questions.

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