MCPHERSON, Kan. (KAKE) - It's tough to spend months on end thousands of miles from loved ones, Even tougher when it's over the holidays. But that's the reality for members of our nation's military.

Now, the holidays are a little brighter for thousands of them, thanks to one Kansas woman with a big heart.

Every Christmas, McPherson resident Mary Peterson sends unique, handwritten cards to the men and women who serve our country.

"God bless you and keep you safe. That is my prayer for you. Grandma Mary, McPherson, Kansas," she said as she finished writing one of the cards.

And it's not just a few of them.

"I think I only had 7,000 the first year. But then I had 8,000 last year and 8,000 again this year," Mary said.

That's not a typo. Since she started in 2020, Mary has sent nearly 24,000 cards to military members all around the world.

"There's so many heartaches and broken homes, and people that went to the service because it was simply something else for them to do. And they won't hear from family because they've lost their connection," said Mary.

Mary says when she was in high school, her older brother served overseas, and she wrote him every single week. Later, her husband fought in World War II, so she knows very well how lonely the holidays can be for folks in the military.

Mary says every year, community members donate thousands of blank cards, and after she's done, she takes them to the Fort Riley Army base, where they get sent to active duty members in different parts of the world.

The 96-year-old says as long as God keeps her hand steady enough to write in her beautiful cursive, she'll never stop sending the letters.

"I hope it makes them realize that there's somebody that still loves them, and loves what they're doing," said Mary.

Mary says she averages about 50 cards per day, which means she has to start mid-summer to get them done in time.