Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon Launches Her 2026 “Cards for Vets Initiative”
Utica, NY — Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) has officially launched her 2026 Cards for Vets
Initiative, an annual community tradition that connects local students, veterans, and families across the Mohawk
Valley in recognition of Veterans Day.
Now in its seventh year, the annual initiative invites students from across the region to handcraft thank-you cards
and write heartfelt letters to honor the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
The cards will be distributed to local American Legion posts, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts, nursing
homes, and senior centers throughout Oneida County ahead of Veterans Day.
Each year, the initiative sees hundreds of cards collected from classrooms across the region, bringing smiles and
gratitude to those who sacrificed for our freedoms. This year’s schools invited to participate include the Utica City
School District, Rome City School District, Whitesboro Central School District, New York Mills Union Free
School District, Oriskany Central School District, Utica Academy of Science, Notre Dame Elementary &
Junior/Senior High School, Westmoreland Central School District, the New York State School for the Deaf, the
House of the Good Shepherd/Tilton School, and the Holland Patent Central School District.
The Cards for Vets campaign first began as a single classroom effort and has now grown into a district-wide show
of gratitude involving hundreds of students. The initiative encourages creativity and reflection, teaching students
about the values of service, sacrifice, and community.
Schools have been asked to submit their cards by Saturday, November 1, to ensure delivery in time for Veterans
Day observances.
“Cards for Vets continues to show how much our veterans mean to this community,” said the
Assemblywoman. “A handwritten card may be a small gesture, but they remind our veterans that they
are seen, that they’re remembered, thanked, and that their service remains an inspiration to our youth. I
was inspired to launch this campaign seven years ago, and year-after-year I am deeply moved by the
thoughtfulness of the students and educators who make it all possible. I am grateful for their
overwhelming enthusiasm to give back.”
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About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon proudly represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing
the cities of Utica and Rome as well as the Towns of Floyd, Deerfield, Marcy, and Whitestown. From a lifelong
educator and former Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College,
to a small family farm owner, Buttenschon brings decades of experience advocating for equity, access, and
opportunity across public health, education, agriculture, and emergency services. In the Assembly, she serves as
Chair of the Committee on Small Business and as a member of the Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, and
DISTRICT OFFICE: Room 401, State Office Building, 207 Genesee Street, Utica, New York 13501 • 315-732-1055, FAX: 315-732-1413
ALBANY OFFICE: Room 528, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 • 518-455-5454, FAX: 518-455-5928
EMAIL: buttenschonm@nyassembly.gov
Veterans’ Affairs Committees, where she champions bipartisan solutions to improve quality of life. Her work
reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every family in her district and beyond can live with dignity,
support, and a voice in their future.
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