County Clerks Team Up With Ritchie To Collect "Christmas Cards For Our Troops"

State Senator Patty Ritchie is pleased to announce that County Clerks in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oswego Counties are joining in her effort to make the holidays brighter for our service men and women through “Christmas Cards for Our Troops.”

The initiative—which is being organized through Albany’s Veterans Miracle Center with the help of Ogdensburg native and radio personality Melody Burns —collects personally signed Christmas cards to distribute to members of the military who are deployed, in veterans’ hospitals and army installations to let them know they are remembered and appreciated during this special time of the year.

“I am so appreciative that our County Clerks in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oswego Counties are again joining with me to help send Christmas greetings to our soldiers during the holidays,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Members of our military make such tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedom.  The very least we can do is show them during the holidays that we appreciate their service, and I am again encouraging people throughout our region to join me in doing so through Christmas Cards for Our Troops.”

Once signed, cards can be dropped off at the following County Clerk and local Department of Motor Vehicle offices:

Oswego County Clerk’s Office: 46 E. Bridge Street, Oswego;

Oswego County DMV: 383 E River Road, Oswego; 200 N. Second Street, Fulton and 2 Broad Street, Pulaski;

St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office: 48 Court Street, Canton;

St. Lawrence County DMV: Human Services Building, 80 State Route 310, Canton; 206 Ford Street, Room 100,  Ogdensburg; and 21 Harrowgate Commons, Massena;

Jefferson County Clerk’s and DMV Office: 175 Arsenal Street, Watertown.

Those interested in donating cards must follow the guidelines below:

Do not include personal letters, photos or inserts of any kind;

Do not include envelopes;

Include your name/organization’s name and address with each bundle of cards;

Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member,” as cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program; and

Avoid cards with glitter or using loose glitter as it can aggravate health issues of ill or injured soldiers.

Cards can also be sent or dropped off to Senator Ritchie’s offices by Tuesday, November 8th:

Watertown: 317 Washington Street, Room 418, Watertown;

Oswego: 46 East Street, 1st Floor, Oswego; and

Ogdensburg: 330 Ford Street, City Hall basement, Ogdensburg.

This marks the fifth year Senator Ritchie has collect holiday greetings for service members through Christmas Cards for Our Troops.