Local Women Collect Thousands Of Cards For Soldiers Overseas
NORWOOD (CBS) - Letters, cards and gifts for soldiers are heading overseas thanks to two local women. Both have loved ones serving in the military and both know how important it can be to receive a warm message from home.
Lauren Eliopoulos and Emily Spencer are on a mission with little room or time to spare.
Their goal is to collect, sort, read and send all these holiday letters and cards, more than 300,000 of them, to soldiers serving overseas.
"The fact that we've received cards from all 50 states and four countries, is insane," Spencer said.
Both run their own non-profits focused on serving military men and women, but they are teaming up together for their "Mission: Holiday Cards" campaign. And for them it's very personal. Lauren's brother Col. George Eliopoulos and Emily's husband 1st Lt Scott Spencer are both currently serving our country.
"A lot of people have heroes and I was fortunate to grow up with mine," Lauren Eliopoulos said.
"It gets very lonely, especially around the holidays and it's nice to know there's a country that stands behind you and just wants to send you a little bit of love," Spencer said.
Both Lauren and Emily are overwhelmed by the amount of support they've received. Now they have only one major challenge remaining: to read and ship these remaining cards by Wednesday.
They are looking for small donations to help with shipping costs, and they also need volunteers to help read each letter in advance.
For more information visit the Hero Helpers of America Facebook page.
