Friends Of  The Troops receives cards and letters prepared by thousands of members, from every part of the US. The cards and letters are thoroughly mixed, then made up into packages ranging in size from a few pieces for small units to much larger quantities for an entire base or large ship. Those packages are then sent via USPS Priority Mail to more than 1,000 bases, units, hospitals, ships, etc. Across the US and around the world. The goals here are to send each person’s letters far and wide, and to include mail from as many people and locations as possible in each package. All clubs and families are encouraged to participate in this county wide 4-H community service project.  

WHAT TO DO: 

1. Using 8.5 x 11 paper or light card stock, fold each sheet (individually and sharply) in half to form 8.5 x 5.5 folders. If desired, colorful pre-printed stationery with a holiday theme can be used.

2. Cards may be addressed in a generic way to: Dear Soldier, Dear Service Member, Dear Veteran, etc.  

3. On either the front or the back side of each folder place your first name only and your club name beneath it. The return address can either be your Organizational Leader or the Extension Office : 9595 Nelson Road, Box B - Longmont, CO  80501. Any and all pages in the folder can be “dressed up” with photos of the writer or of the group, or with clip art from any number of sources.

4. Your message should be positive, upbeat, and cheerful (nothing such as “I hope you don’t get killed”). Write about yourself, your family, friends, hobbies, interests, job, classes, pets, etc.

5. The inside of the folder can be formatted as one page, or it can be set up as two separate pages. The writer’s personal message may be continued on the back page of the folder if desired. 

6. No envelopes needed 

7. The organization we partner with prefers no religious cards be used  

WHAT NOT TO DO: 

7. 1. Do Not affix postage stamps to the individual cards or letters. 

   2. Do Not use “glitter” or anything that will rub off or flake off the letters or envelopes. If going overseas, glitter can get on their uniforms and compromise their safety. It shows up on night vision goggles. 

   3. Do Not include any three-dimensional objects (candy, chewing gum, key chains, ball point pens, pencils, etc.). Any stickers or labels used on the letters should be pressed down firmly and completely affixed. 

   4. Do Not use staples. 

This is a fun activity for all the clubs to participate in!  

Please return all the cards from your club together with proper identification of your club. 

All Military Mail must be returned to the Extension Office by Friday, November 1, 2023. 

Dogs Working Magic

By: Alessia Daelli 

4x4 Dog 4-H Club Reporter

After petting a dog I always feel happy and relaxed. Is this just because I love dogs or does it actually have benefits to people's mood? 

It turns out that petting a dog or spending time with them can boost mental and physical health. Stress hormones drop after as little as 5 minutes of interacting with dogs, even if it's not your pet.

Not only do the humans get a boost of oxytocin but the dogs do too. Oxytocin is a chemical released that makes you feel good, this chemical is present in humans and dogs. Dog ownership can have positive effects on health like better heart health and can increase physical activity.  In the UK there was a study done with 8-9 year old school kids. They had a short visit with dogs twice a week. This helped the kids manage/reduce stress and improved things like staying on task. So next time you are walking around and you see a dog you should ask to pet it to get a boost of oxytocin for mental and physical health.