VFW Auxiliary Announces 2025 “Mission: Operation Christmas Cards for Veterans”

The Department of Florida Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary Post 7721 is pleased to announce Mission: Operation Christmas Cards for Veterans was kicked off for 2025 at a volunteer “card writing” ice cream social on September 20.

The Christmas card project was adopted by VFW Auxiliary in memory of the late Renee Whisner, a US Air Force Veteran, and a member of the VFW. In 2014, Renee became a quadriplegic, and after spending a year at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, she personally saw how much joy a simple handwritten card could bring to a Veteran. She decided to make it her mission to send holiday cards with a personal note to fellow Veterans in hospitals and nursing homes across the country.

Woking to make that mission a reality, in 2020, Renee mailed out 3,000 cards; 2021, 5,000 Christmas cards; 2022 increased to 7,000, and her last year before passing in 2023, 11,000. Renee planned and did not want her mission to stop so she asked her mother to promise to carry on and increase the numbers each year. Today, her mother Mimi Treadway, is fulfilling Renee’s wishes; she recruited her fellow VFW Auxiliary members to adopt the project and increase the goal to 20,000 cards in 2024. This year, the goal is to add more Veterans, and mail 25,000 to 30,000 cards with the help of volunteers.

Sadly, Renee passed away on Christmas Day of 2023 just two weeks after doing her last mailing. Her mission will continue with the help of the community and VFW Post 7721. Cards will be mailed on December 1 to Veterans in VA hospitals and nursing homes in Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, and more as funds allow.

Renee Whisner

“The simple act of kindness means the world to a Veteran in a hospital bed, or a nursing home,” says Ms. Treadway. “We hope that the community will be part of Renee’s mission.”

The Auxiliary needs volunteers to write personal notes on 3×5” index cards and help stuff cards. If you, your organization, students, school, or employees would like to volunteer to help, please contact Mimi Treadway at rosalietreadway@gmail.com or call 239-919-4771.

Donations to help underwrite the costs for additional cards and postage may be sent via check made payable to the VFW Auxiliary (earmarked – Veterans Christmas Cards) and mailed to VFW Post #7721 Auxiliary, 13131 Collier Blvd., Naples, Florida 34119. The Auxiliary is a 501(c)3 and donations are tax deductible. For more information about VFW Auxiliary membership or additional information regarding the VFW Auxiliary, please contact Betty A. Bailey by email at bann652@aol.com.

About the VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations. Established in 1914, members set out to serve the veterans in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. Members are the relatives of those who have served in overseas combat.