As Veterans Day approaches on Nov. 11, students are encouraged to send letters as part of the “A Million Thanks” organization to current members of the military and veterans.

“A Million Thanks” is an organization founded in 2004 that has sent over seven million letters to active, reserve and veteran military, in addition to providing scholarships to children of fallen military members and granting wishes to injured members.

“We just write [things like]: ‘Happy Holidays!’ and ‘Happy Thanksgiving!,’” PALs teacher Jennifer Clements said. “I encourage our kids to include our high school address, not their personal address, and maybe one of their teachers because sometimes some of the active military will write back.”

In addition to delivering letters to the “A Million Thanks” drop-off location in Dallas, Clements wants to send some to Allen alumni.

“I do know one Allen alumni, Jason Butler, is currently in Afghanistan, so he’ll be there until next March,” Clements said. “I just talked to him on Facebook a few days ago. He played football at Allen. He’s been in the Air Force for two or three years, and he just got deployed six months ago. We’re gonna send him a little package with some of our letters.”

Letters can be delivered to the bin on the door outside B207, Clements’ classroom by Nov. 14. Letters should not be put in envelopes or include any glitter or confetti. To see example letters, visit the “A Million Thanks” website.

“Of course, be encouraging and uplifting,” Clements said. “Don’t write any slander or political views or anything like that. You want to remember that with Christmastime, not every military member shares the same [religion], so we just want to be kind and uplifting to everybody and encouraging them and thanking them for their service and sacrifice.”