Past years’ cards made by Petworth residents (photo: Sarah Gabriel)

Petworth local Sarah Gabriel has been spearheading a program for a few years that has neighbors make holiday cards for residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Below is a message from Sarah about participating in this year’s program. A great holiday activity for kids and adults to give a little sunshine to our veterans and active duty heroes.

Its that time of year again! We are collecting handmade holiday cards for the residents of the “Old Soldiers Home” / Armed Forces Retirement Home. If you know an adult, office, child, daycare, or school that would be interested in making holiday cards to bring some joy to these individuals who have spent years or a lifetime in service to all of us, please spread the word and help us hand out a card to every retired soldier we can this holiday season.

Last year we handed out over 600 hugely appreciated holiday cards from all over the country. The cards are delivered along with some hugs, singing and lots of holiday cheer.

A little Petworth resident handing out cards at the AFRH (photo: Sarah Gabriel)

The deadline for this small but meaningful way to help experience the joy of giving back in our own backyard is Sunday, December 8th.

Email Sarah for information on how to submit your completed cards.

In the event the number of cards exceeds the number of AFRH residents, all of the remaining art will be shipped to Operation Gratitude for placement in care packages of persons serving overseas.

Please help spread the word and lets make this years card drive a success!

Thanks so much! Happy Holidays!