This week’s upcoming Fourth of July weekend marks the third anniversary of an online effort to say thanks to U.S. military troops.
The Let’s Say Thanks program, initiated by Xerox in July, 2006, lets U.S. residents send a note of thanks using young artist-designed post cards with a simple few clicks of a mouse.
So far, 20 million messages have been sent to military members.
Those wishing to send a note can pick from a wide assortment of cards created and designed by young teens across the country. Visitors can even download their favorite note card and save it as a PDF. You can select from 10 pre-written messages, or write your own, as long as it’s under 427 characters.
The site, which has extensive support from partners who help print and distribute the cards, also offers up feedback from military personnel who have received cards. The cards, once printed, are bundled up with car packages from Give2TheTroops.com.
Here’s today’s note from one gunnery sergeant:
To all who have supported us,
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you from myself and my fellow Marines. Your packages and well wishes have lifted our spirits at a time when we are so far away from our friends and family. I wish you could have seen the bright eyed looks and utter excitement from the Marines when opening the boxes. It was a true blessing that you made happen. It makes us proud to know that our fellow Americans care as much as we do. It makes the sacrifices we and our families make worth every minute we spend here. We Americans can stand shoulder to shoulder in unison on one thing — we’re all proud of our country and we’re all proud of each other. The effort you make on behalf of the troops is just as important as the work we are doing here and around the world.
Celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg and American Idol finalists have shown support to the troops using the site as well.