Please take time to send a Letter or Card to each OpPAL participant to let them know they are in your prayers and to offer encouragement. Holiday letters and cards are wonderful, but please remember that the recovery is a very long process and support throughout the year is paramount to recovery.

Here are some ideas for you to get others involved in sending cards and letters throughout the year as well:

Have a card party. Invite a scrap book consultant to come to your home to demonstrate ideas on making patriotic or get-well cards. Invite friends and family and provide refreshments. Share news about each of our PAL recipients, how each was wounded and news about his/her progress. This will provide letter-writing inspiration.

Collect cards at your local scrapbooking store. Make an attractive poster to display at your local scrapbooking store. Many stores have work spaces for customers. Ask the manager if you can provide a poster so customers can make cards to mail. This would be a great way to encourage really nice homemade, heart-felt cards.

When you hold a seasonal party or gathering for July 4th, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas, ask party attendees to bring a card/letter or provide blank cards or the materials to make special home made cards and let your guests make their own.