Lexington nonprofit seeks handwritten Christmas cards to send to deployed troops overseas

Military Missions, a Lexington-based nonprofit, is asking residents to help collect handwritten Christmas cards and letters for deployed service members stationed overseas as part of an effort called Operation Send Christmas, according to WKYT. The group said it is seeking messages and other support that can be included in care packages being sent to troops abroad.

In a community appeal, the nonprofit described the program as a way to deliver seasonal connection to troops who are away from home. WKYT reported that the request includes handwritten Christmas cards and letters, emphasizing the personal nature of the communications being gathered by volunteers in Lexington.

Alongside cards and letters, WKYT said Military Missions is also accepting donations as part of the campaign. The program is intended to help cover materials and logistics associated with assembling and shipping care packages to deployed service members.

The nonprofit’s appeal comes as many families begin preparing for the holiday season, with handwritten notes commonly viewed as a form of support that requires no specialized fundraising. Military Missions is directing community members to provide their submissions so they can be organized and distributed through the nonprofit’s channels for overseas deployment.

While the campaign is focused on holiday messaging, the effort relies on timely coordination, including collecting items, sorting them, and incorporating them into care packages before they are shipped. WKYT did not provide additional operational details in its report, including deadlines or specific mailing procedures.

For Kentuckians interested in participating, the appeal centers on participation through direct submission of handwritten cards and letters. The nonprofit’s goal is to ensure service members overseas receive messages from home in time for the holiday season.

Recipients of the cards and letters are identified in WKYT’s report in general terms as deployed service members stationed overseas, with the nonprofit handling the distribution through its Operation Send Christmas program. Military Missions did not specify in the report how messages are assigned to particular units or addresses.

Members of the public who plan to contribute are expected to follow the donation and submission instructions communicated by Military Missions. As the campaign progresses, the nonprofit’s handling of collected items, including any preparation steps for overseas shipment, will determine when and how messages reach deployed troops.

In Kentucky, community-driven support for active-duty and deployed service members remains a recurring theme during holiday periods, with local nonprofits often acting as intermediaries between residents who want to help and military personnel who receive the materials. Operation Send Christmas is one such effort, with Military Missions coordinating the collection of handwritten holiday cards and letters for troops abroad.