Send a Holiday Card to a Soldier: Stop by Big Bean Coffee Shop

Deb Hoffman, owner of the coffee shop in Severna Park, invites the community to stop by the shop Friday, Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to contribute unused holiday cards to share with customers in sending a note to soldiers stationed overseas. 

"It's a very simple idea that all independent coffee stores can easily implement, said Hoffman in an email to Patch.

The shop, located at 558 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., started the program three years ago. Last year, more than 75 cards brought in from customers, and another 50 plus handmade cards from local Brownie and Girl Scout troops, were sent to soldiers serving our country.

It works like this: Bring in a few leftover holiday cards to the Big Bean, when customers come in they can write a greeting to a soldier serving overseas. "It's that simple," said Hoffman.

"We have a lot of customers who come by, filling time between appointments. Many of those customers will take just a couple minutes to write an encouraging note. During the holidays when everyone is so busy we make it easy to give back in a small, but meaningful way."

For soldiers serving overseas, a piece of mail means a lot, she said. 

The deadline to send a greeting is Dec. 9, 2011.