Hoosier Cheer for our Heroes

Holidays can be lonely times for military men and women serving our country. That's why a card or note from home - even if it comes from a complete stranger - can do so much to lift morale.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and her staff are once again providing the opportunity for Indiana residents to say thanks in the fifth annual "Hoosier Cheer For Our Heroes" campaign.

Last year, Skillman delivered 35,629 cards to Major Gen. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, as part of the campaign. It was the largest total in the program's four-year history.

These cards - sent by Hoosiers from as many as 60 Indiana counties - were delivered to eight Indiana National Guard units serving in Afghanistan, six serving in Iraq and two others serving at different spots around the globe. Officials at Skillman's office said some of the cards were also delivered to the Naval Reserves.

Perhaps some of those cards came from you. Those who would like to send a card or cards this year should address them to:

Office of Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman
c/o Hoosier Cheer For Our Heroes
200 W. Washington St., Suite 333
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797

Shipping costs will be defrayed thanks to generous support from the Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives and enGreet, an Indianapolis-based online greeting card company. Anyone may use the enGreet web site - www.engreet.com - to personalize and send a card as part of the Hoosier Cheer For Our Heroes campaign. Cards ordered online will be printed and mailed for free with personalized messages and photos.

All correspondence must be sent to the lieutenant governor's office or ordered on enGreet's website by Friday, Nov. 18, so delivery to troops can be completed before Christmas.

In the four years since Skillman started the "Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes" campaign, approximately 92,000 cards have been donated and delivered from virtually every county in Indiana.