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 “With Veterans Day this week and the holidays fast approaching,
it is important that we remember those men and women still serving
in harm’s way,” Governor Rauner said. “A small token of
appreciation, a holiday card, does so much to lift the spirits of
service members serving far away from home over the holidays. I
encourage our citizens, from schoolchildren to retirees, to send
their thoughts of gratitude to our service men and women.”
Governor Rauner said Illinois citizens should send holiday cards for
U.S. service members to the USO of Illinois as early as possible and
thanked the USO of Illinois for helping to distribute the holiday
cards to troops and for all the USO does to lift the morale and
increase the well-being of our military members throughout the year.
These should NOT be cards intended for a specific
soldier.
 Holiday cards will be accepted through mail delivery only, from now
through November 30th at the following address:
USO of Illinois
333 S. Wabash Ave., 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
“We are thrilled to partner with Governor Rauner and the State of
Illinois to help bring messages of cheer and good will to our troops
and their families, whether they reside in Illinois, are passing
through or are stationed or deployed overseas,” said Alison Ruble,
the President and CEO of the USO of Illinois. “Our Illinois
community wants to show our troops and their families that they are
remembered over the holidays, and throughout the year, but may not
know where to connect their support. The USO of Illinois is proud to
be that bridge to our military community.”
Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois
National Guard and Director of the Illinois Department of Military
Affairs, thanked the USO of Illinois for their support of his
Soldiers and Airmen.
“Whenever we send troops overseas or we bring them home, the USO of
Illinois is there. They are at our Family Days, our celebrations,
our training events, our reintegration events…any time our service
members need support, a USO volunteer is there with a cup of hot
coffee and a smile,” Maj. Gen. Hayes said.
With service members serving throughout the world, including many
remote locations, and the additional holiday mail, it is important
to send holiday cards and gifts to service members as early as
possible to ensure they arrive before the holidays.
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The United States Postal Service recommends the following holiday mail deadlines
for service members serving overseas:
Standard Post – as soon as possible (deadline was Nov. 7)
Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 25
Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 3
Priority Mail: Dec. 10, except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec. 3
First-class letters and cards: Dec. 10, (except for AE ZIP 093, which is Dec.3)
Priority Mail Express Military Service: Dec. 17. This service is not available
to AE ZIP 093; check with your local post office to find out if it’s available
to another specific APO/FPO/DPO address.
ABOUT USO OF ILLINOIS
The USO of Illinois enhances the quality of life and lifts the spirits of
America's troops and their families through local programs and centers in
appreciation of their service and sacrifice. Supporting over 330,000 troops and
their families every year, the USO of Illinois is a civilian 501(c)(3)
non-profit that is supported solely by the generosity of the American people.
For more information about the USO of Illinois, visit: www.usoofillinois.org.
[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner]
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