(KFVS) - The American Red Cross will be collecting and distributing cards that send words of encouragement, gratitude and cheer to America's heroes for the holiday season.

The Red Cross is inviting the public to send messages of thanks and holiday cheer until Dec. 7 by mailing them to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

To ensure that cards are delivered on time for the holidays, the Red Cross says they must be postmarked no later than Dec. 7. Individuals are asked to refrain from sending "care packages," monetary donations or using glitter or any other kinds of inserts with the cards.

According to the Red Cross, the company Pitney Bowes Inc. receives cards at the special Holiday Mail post office box, and screens them for hazardous materials. The company screens, packages and ships the cards at no charge.

PERRYVILLE, MO (KFVS) - The VFW Post 4282 Ladies Auxiliary in Perryville spent all weekend baking about 3,000 cookies for troops overseas.

The cookies are intended to be a treat for soldiers with ties to Perry County, Missouri.

The women bake the cookies and sk community members where they can send them.

People of Perry County who have a soldier in their family or friends of a soldier will can give them information of where that soldier is so they can send them a care package of cookies, candy and a letter thanking them for their service.

They have been doing this since 2006 and bake more and more cookies each year.

The group has some soldiers they are sending cookies to, but still have plenty of cookies left to give out.

They are asking for families to step up and tell them where they can send some soldiers some treats.