RITCHIE: CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW YORKERS SEND A RECORD 10,000 HOLIDAY GREETINGS THROUGH “CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR OUR TROOPS PROGRAM”

With help from students, families, individuals, businesses and other organizations, State Senator Patty Ritchie has sent a record 10,000 holiday cards on to be distributed to current and former members of our military at veterans’ hospitals, Army installations and other locations to let them know they are remembered and appreciated during the holiday season.

2015 marks the fourth year Senator Ritchie has participated in the program, which is known as “Christmas Cards for Our Troops.”  Since 2012, with the help of Central and Northern New Yorkers, Senator Ritchie has sent roughly 30,000 holiday cards to veterans and active duty soldiers.

“This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving and reflect on all we are grateful for, I cannot think of a group of people more deserving of our thanks than our veterans and active duty troops,” said Senator Ritchie.

“From students who created handmade holiday greetings, to businesses and other organizations that donated hundreds of cards, I’m so pleased that the people of our region once again took the time to send messages of appreciation and holiday cheer to those who have given so much to defend our country and our freedom.”

An initiative organized by Ogdensburg native and radio host Melody Burns through Albany's Veterans Miracle Center, Christmas Cards for Our Troops helped to send a total of more than 120,000 holiday greetings to veterans and active duty soldiers last year.

(Senator Ritchie is pictured in the above photo with Karleen and Charles Savidge of Watertown’s VFW Post 1400)