Sneads Ferry - In the spirit of holiday giving, eight-year-old Tucker Rose is spearheading the annual “Salute to Veterans” Christmas card drive, aiming to deliver festive cheer to Veterans at the local VA home in Kinston, NC. Starting from Veterans Day and continuing until Christmas Eve, this initiative is now in its fourth successful year.

Rose, who has been collecting Christmas cards for veterans since the age of four, expressed his motivation behind the drive. "We started my Christmas card drive during COVID, for Veterans because we figured they wouldn't be able to have visitors for the holidays, and this would be a great way to lift their spirits," he said. The first year of the drive saw 200 cards collected, predominantly by mail.

Over the years, the drive has gained significant momentum. In 2021, local Harley Davidson dealers in Jacksonville, Wilmington, and Shallotte, along with Saigon Sam's, joined as drop-off locations. By 2022, the initiative expanded its reach with the involvement of Dixon Elementary School and various Major League Baseball teams.

This year's goal is ambitious: to collect 2,500 cards, equating to 25 cards per veteran. The community's response has been overwhelmingly positive, with significant contributions from local businesses and schools. "Dixon Elementary School really outdid themselves this year and contributed over 600 cards," Rose added, highlighting the local support.

The impact of these cards on veterans is profound. "It makes them very happy to receive Christmas cards, especially seeing someone going room to room, hand delivering them," Rose shared. Last Christmas, he observed that many veterans had few family visitors, making the card delivery especially meaningful.

Apart from the Christmas card drive, Rose is engaged in other initiatives promoting positivity and historical remembrance. He has been sending an American flag, received in 2020, to be flown at significant sites worldwide. His efforts extend beyond Veterans, as he also writes letters to families of 9/11 and Sandy Hook victims and astronauts lost in space missions.

Rose encourages more people to join his efforts. Drop-off boxes are available at various locations, including Harley Davidson dealers and Saigon Sam's Military Surplus. He also maintains a Facebook page, "In Tucker's Mailbox," where he shares his outreach activities and encourages traditional letter writing.

Rose, with his father's help, invites the community to contribute to the "Salute to Veterans" initiative, emphasizing, "Spreading positivity in such a challenging world is made much easier with your help, and it is greatly appreciated."

In Tucker's Mailbox "Salute to Veterans" 302 S. Stingray Lane Sneads Ferry, NC 28460