News and Tribune

Clark County

Related Photos

  • Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman announced Monday that her office had collected 29,000 holiday cards to be sent to troops in Afghanistan this month. She was joined in her office by Indiana soldiers and the program’s sponsors. Photo by Lesley Weidenbener, Franklin College Statehouse Bureau

    12-xx Skillman cards.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
December 5, 2011

Skillman sends off cards to troops

By Lesley Weidenbener Franklin College Statehouse Bureau

INDIANAPOLIS — Standing before stacks of boxes ready for shipment, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman announced Monday that her office had collected nearly 29,000 holiday cards that would be sent to troops deployed in Afghanistan.

The cards — many handmade by Hoosiers of all ages and others donated by local utilities and an Indiana greeting card company — will go to Indiana soldiers as well as those from other states. More than 3,500 were collected in Southern Indiana at the News and Tribune and One Southern Indiana.

“The thoughtfulness and sincerity of Hoosiers are represented in these Hoosier Cheer cards,” said Skillman, reflecting the name of the Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes campaign.

“Whether there are a hundred or a thousand deployed, our servicemen and women deserve to know how much they are appreciated during the holidays and throughout the year,” Skillman said in a statement.

Last year, Skillman’s office collected roughly 41,000 cards. The lieutenant governor said she was not surprised the numbers were down this year, though, because Indiana has fewer soldiers deployed overseas.

“We have so many soldiers home in the states this year,” she said.

The donated cards came from at least 60 Indiana counties and will be shipped overseas at no taxpayer expense. Shipping costs were paid in part by the Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives and enGreet, an Indiana-based Web company that allows users to personalize and mail cards.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

LOCAL MAGAZINES
READER COMMENTS ON STORIES
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
Follow me on Twitter