Sending special holiday messages

LIMA — Amber Dunn signed her fourth holiday card for a solider Saturday at the Lima Mall. And as was the case with the others, she wrote “Dear Hero.”

“Because they are heroes,” said the 18-year-old Bowling Green State University student who is working as one of Santa's helpers at the mall on the weekends.

Throughout the afternoon, shoppers and Santa visitors young and old stopped to spread some holiday cheer to service members. This is the first year the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross has participated in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The program gives people the chance to send holiday greetings to people serving in the armed forces.

“It is just a small gesture that we can do to help our troops feel appreciated,” said Brenda Mead, Red Cross emergency services manager. “Everyone can get involved and there is no cost.”

The Red Cross partners with Pitney Bowes, Simon Properties, including the Lima Mall, for the program. Locally, Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home sponsors the program.

People can sign cards from noon to 4 p.m. today at the mall, near Macy's. They also can bring their own cards to the American Red Cross, 610 S. Collett St., until Friday. Cards should not include any embellishments, such as glitter, stamps or inserts.

People were quick to stop to send a greeting Saturday. Six-year-old Ciera Preston, of St. Marys, grabbed a red crayon and wrote “Merry Christmas” before signing her name. Five-year-old Madison Fifer, of Lima, signed her and her younger brother's names on one card as grandma, Sue Fifer, did her own.

“I thought this was a very good thing, to thank them and hopefully make their holidays a little bit better since they can't be here with their families,” Fifer said.

Many sending cards were thinking of some extra special servicemen and -women in their lives. Sue Ann Thomas, of Hamler, included, “In honor of William Benner” in her message. Benner, her son's godfather, has been in the Navy for 19 years.

“We rarely get to see him,” Thomas said. “It is a lot for him to sacrifice, for him and his family.”

Donna Donnelly, of Van Wert, couldn't help but remember the year her brother, a Marine, left for Iraq just days after Christmas. That was in 2002. Last year was his first Christmas back home.

“I wrote that I am proud of what they are doing and that they are in my prayers,” she said of her card. “I always try to do what I can to support the troops.”

Donnelly's son, 14-year-old James Vibbert, also did a card. He's seen family members join the military and be away from family during the holidays.

“I used to cry whenever my brother (an Army veteran) wasn't here for Christmas,” he said.

Dunn suspects she'll sign several more cards before the campaign is over. She sneaks over whenever there is a lull in the nearby line to visit Santa. She signs her name on each card and offers her thanks and appreciation for the recipient's bravery.

“It is fun, too,” she said. “It is kind of nice to be like a secret pen pal and make someone's day.”