Fixit: How to get a presidential greeting

Q: I sent a letter to the White House requesting a greeting for my mother's birthday, but it never came. Isn't the Obama White House sending out presidential greetings?

A: Yes it is. No doubt there are lots of requests for cards from the popular president. It's possible your request didn't arrive in time, didn't contain all the information necessary, or it could have been overlooked.

Special occasions

The White House will send signed greeting cards and recognition to U.S. citizens to commemorate special events and accomplishments. They include:

—Birthday greetings to those 80 years and older.

—Anniversary greetings to couples celebrating 50, 60, 70 or more years of marriage.

—Weddings (after the event)

—Baby's birth or adoption (baby born or adopted during the Obama administration)

—Eagle Scout Award or Girl Scout Gold Award

—Bar or bat mitzvah or the equivalent, such as a confirmation

—Condolence

—Serious illness

—Retirement (30 years or more)

Required information

—Name and home address of honoree(s); include form of address such as Mr., Miss, Dr., etc.

—Exact date of the occasion (month, day, year)

—Age (for birthdays)

—Number of years married (anniversaries)

—Number of years worked at retirement. Also include where the person is retiring from.

—Wedding (include couple's married name and current or new address)

—Baby's birth or adoption (include baby's date of birth and full names and addresses of baby and parents)

—Requestor's (your) name and phone number

—Any specific mailing instructions, if other than to honoree's address

Advanced notice

—Requests need to be received at the White House six weeks prior to the event.

—Greetings will be mailed from the White House about 10 days before the event. (Wedding and baby acknowledgments are sent after the event).

Submit requests

—Online at www.white house.gov. Click on "Contact Us." Type "Greetings request" in the message box. Give the required details for the greeting.

—U.S. mail: The White House, Attn: Greetings Office, Washington, DC 20500

—Fax: 1-202-456-2461

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(Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixitstartribune.com. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies.)

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