Level 3 Communications Employees Provide Over 13,000 Holiday Cards For Military

Level 3 Communications printed special holiday cards and distributed them to Level 3 offices all over North America in order to participate in the American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program, in which the public sends a touch of home to members of the military and veterans. What Level 3 got back was an astonishing response, with more than 13,000 cards signed and returned to the Red Cross.

During a special event on Dec. 12, 2012, Level 3 Communications employees in Broomfield rolled up their sleeves and assisted with the second stage of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program: sorting through thousands of holiday cards the Red Cross received from the public so that Red Cross messengers can deliver them to the appropriate recipients starting the week of Dec. 17. The cards contain messages of hope, thanks and holiday greetings to the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. The cards will be delivered to active military stationed abroad and in the U.S., as well as to military reserves, veterans and their families.


Level 3 volunteers organized the cards according to military branch (some card senders write messages specifically for the Army, Air Force, Marines or Navy) or targeted audience (wounded warrior, veteran, religious affiliation, etc.) as well as for other factors; for example, cards going to military hospitals can’t contain glitter because glitter can pose a health hazard.

Reading through thousands of messages, written by caring community members ranging from 4-year-olds to seniors in care homes, was a touching experience for many of the volunteers.

“The rich sentiments that are expressed make my heart happy and sad at the same time,” said Level 3 employee Janet Kovacs. “I’m happy because obviously there’s love and appreciation expressed, and sad because they’re going to folks serving our country who may be far from home.”

Fellow volunteer and Level 3 employee Aimee Lee was especially impressed by the greetings from children. “It’s nice seeing what people are writing in these cards, the sentiments they’re expressing – especially the little kids. The little kids realize these guys are away from their families and that they’re sacrificing.”

Level 3 provided a festive atmosphere for the event, with steaming coffee, hot cider, holiday cookies and holiday music. In addition to providing a service to their community, some volunteers noted that volunteering was a fun way to bond with coworkers and get into the holiday spirit.
“I can finally get in the Christmas spirit,” said Erla Erlingsdottir.

Participating in the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program is just one way that Level 3 demonstrates its support of veterans and the men and women who serve our country. Level 3 also signed up for President Obama’s 10,000 Jobs Challenge. Level 3 has initiated other veterans programs to enhance the skills and experiences of their veteran employees.

About Holiday Mail for Heroes
The Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides Americans the opportunity to send holiday greetings to our men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces – many who will be far from home over the holidays –  as well as our nation’s veterans and their families.

Between Oct. 3 and Dec. 9, the public was invited to send a “touch of home” through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will now screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver them to military bases and hospitals, veteran’s hospitals and other locations during the holidays.  Pitney Bowes is donating all screening, packaging and shipping to the cause. The Red Cross is mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to sort and box cards for delivery to service men and women, veterans and family members in December.

For more information about Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces programs, visit www.redcross.org/co/denver/programs-services/services-to-the-armed-forces.