The December 7 deadline is fast approaching for people to send holiday greetings to men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces through “Holiday Mail for Heroes,” an American Red Cross program.

Once the Red Cross receives the cards that are sent in by the public, Pitney Bowes Inc. scans them to ensure safety and security. Red Cross volunteers then sort and deliver them to military installations, in VA and military hospitals and to veteran’s organizations in the United States and overseas.

Over the weekend, the local Red Cross deployed five more volunteers to assist with Sandy disaster relief in the Northeast.  Since this massive relief effort began, the Red Cross has deployed a total of 118 volunteers and eight feeding trucks from South Carolina.  Additional volunteers remain on stand-by and will deploy as needed.  

The Red Cross has been helping people since before Sandy made landfall and will continue to help for weeks and months to come as families get back on their feet.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, mouths are beginning to water with thoughts of turkey and all the trimmings. Many in our community however, will struggle to find any food at all. On Monday, November 19, 2012 the Sumter Police Department will sponsor Mile for a Meal, a community walking event and food drive to benefit local Sumter food pantries for the less fortunate.