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Post by Basketlady on Sept 14, 2011 17:38:00 GMT -5
We did this last winter and collected over 200 cards. I thought with Crafty Girl's hubby deploying, it would be fun to do another drive. Is anyone interested in making one (or more!) cards for military service Members (not just Crafty Girl's hubby!)? The program sends handmade A2 sized cards to the deployed military members overseas. In turn, the soldiers send the cards BACK to loved ones in the states for birthdays, anniversaries, missing you cards... You get the idea. This drive would include the winter holidays--Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza. But of course you could make cards for general use, birthdays, etc. Here is the link for the main site: operationwritehome.org/My DD and her friend will collect the cards as a service project for Girl Scouts. They are also looking into the possibility of sending AnyHero letters as well, but they may not be able to do that for this drive. I wanted to get this out there as quickly as possible, since the deadline for holiday cards is rapidly approaching. OWH needs the cards by Oct 31, so I need the cards by October 15. That will give the girls time that weekend to box up the cards and mail them that Monday. Here is the basic information for making a card--there are several guidelines. For example, they ask you not to use any sort of glitter, as this can flake off and it makes it VERY easy to pick up a soldier with night vision goggles. That you make sure that all items of a card are well attached, that you only send A2 sized cards and that you don't hand write your sentiments (all explained in the link below.) They also stress quality over quantity. This should be your best work! That doesn't mean hours over one card, but don't just stamp an image on CS and call it done. operationwritehome.org/guidelines.htmlYou can send the cards (remember, A2 sized!) with or without envelopes. OWH buys the envelopes in bulk, so they get them at a great price. They recommend making a donation for the envelopes if you do not include them. But don't send me money! That would get way too complicated. If you want to make a donation, go to the website and they have a Paypal link. I can vouch for the organization--they do what they say they are doing. But I don't want to handle any money. The site explains envelopes, sentiments, cards made by children... There is a TON of information there. Read it over and I will try to answer any questions that you many have. The back of each card is stamped with "Operation Write Home" and I have this stamp in hand. The Girl Scouts will do this stamping. |
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Post by animal on Sept 14, 2011 17:58:40 GMT -5
This is awesome Michelle. I will definitely participate in sending out cards. Thanks for the info and the links, will definitely read up on their guidlines. This is such a wonderful way of showing our Troops we appreciate them and think of them. Thank you Michelle.  |
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Post by Karen W on Sept 14, 2011 18:15:21 GMT -5
I took the glitter caution to heart as I noticed after I made my cards for the last drive, I found glitter specs on 2 of the card backs. So that taught me to clean my surfaces before starting a project like this.
Karen
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Post by Cat on Sept 14, 2011 19:21:23 GMT -5
Michelle, I would like to make some cards for this project.  Cat |
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Post by Basketlady on Sept 14, 2011 20:33:05 GMT -5
Thanks for your quick responses! It really is a nice program. DH has been deployed many times and often, there just isn't access to stationary/card shops. And if they come into the Exchange, they are snapped up quickly. This is a nice way for them to be appreciated and send mail home. I know I LOVED it when those letters would come in the mail. I'd read them over and over.
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Sept 15, 2011 6:30:41 GMT -5
Count me in, too, Michelle!! I really enjoyed doing this last time! When is our deadline? Gail
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Post by Basketlady on Sept 15, 2011 7:34:04 GMT -5
Gail, I added that info in the OP. The MB was really wonky last night and it was messing up the cut and paste feature. I deleted too much!
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Post by craftygirl on Sept 15, 2011 13:30:20 GMT -5
Woo-Hoo! We get to do Holiday cards this time! Thanks Michelle to you and your DD and the Girl Scouts for collecting the cards. It is a geat program! Win-Win. We get to make cards and military members have cards to mail to their loved ones!
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Post by Cat on Oct 2, 2011 16:51:20 GMT -5
Michelle, I have some cards ready to send your way.....do the scouts have a PO Box or address where I need to send them? Cat |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 2, 2011 17:48:32 GMT -5
Cat, thank you for making the cards!
Yes, we have a PO box. I'll PM you with the address.
I can't wait to see your cards!
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Post by Cat on Oct 7, 2011 16:42:45 GMT -5
Basketlady Michelle, you have a PM
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 7, 2011 19:29:47 GMT -5
You do too! Thanks so much Cat! I will watch for your package and let you know when it arrives. |
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Oct 10, 2011 11:11:55 GMT -5
Michelle, I need an address to send my cards, thanks!! Gail
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 10, 2011 14:15:41 GMT -5
Thanks Gail! You have a PM. I can't wait to see your cards! |
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Post by craftygirl on Oct 10, 2011 14:42:54 GMT -5
I went to the PO today, which is when I remembered that it is a Federal Holiday! That place was locked up tight. My cards will be on their way tomorrow. Hopefully, they won't be too late.
Crafty girl
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Post by Cat on Oct 12, 2011 20:10:29 GMT -5
Basketlady, did you get my package of cards yet? I always wonder if my packages get there on the date the Post Office says it will. Cat |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 13, 2011 19:41:54 GMT -5
Cat, I didn't have a chance to stop today, but I'm going over there tomorrow. I'll let you know!
Crafty Girl, I received your cards today. And you were worried they would get here late. You did a beautiful job! The girls got everything stamped and boxed up today. I think there are two more sets of cards and then I will send everything off on Monday. Yippee!
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Post by Cat on Oct 13, 2011 21:13:18 GMT -5
Oh me, that kinda worries me. I sent them off first thing last Friday morning in Priory Mail.....they said you should have them on this past Tuesday. I hope they get there tomorrow.....Michelle I'm sorry they are so late.... Cat |
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Post by craftygirl on Oct 13, 2011 21:42:17 GMT -5
Wow, my cards only took two days to get to you, and I didn't spring for the priority mail!
Hope your cards show up soon, Cat. Nothing worse than slow packages!
Crafty girl
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 13, 2011 22:16:40 GMT -5
Don't panic yet, Cat! I didn't have a chance to check the PO today. My back is acting up again and I let the meds wear off long enough to run out and get groceries. By the time it was done, I was ready for the good drugs and just headed home again. I completely forgot about the PO, but it's on my list for tomorrow.
And we still have tomorrow and Monday for the mail to get here. And if I send them Tues, it's not a big deal. They need to be in by October 31, but I wanted to give my package plenty of time to get there.
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Post by Cat on Oct 14, 2011 17:54:53 GMT -5
Michelle I hope your back starts to feel better soon. I just knew you would have it by Wednesday when they assured me Priority Mail would get there on Tuesday. (I knew there was a holiday in thrown in there) I'm now wondering if it pays to us use Priority Mail or if it gets there just as fast by regular postage......Sign....fingers crossed you get them in time. Cat |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 14, 2011 18:01:32 GMT -5
No worries Cat. It was sitting in my PO box, all nice and pretty! You did such a great job. I should have sun tomorrow and I'll try to snap some pics of the cards. They are gorgeous!
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Post by Cat on Oct 14, 2011 18:26:11 GMT -5
Great! I'm glad they finally got there. Now if you can get your get-a-long back in gear. (a term my Dad used when his back would slip out and he couldn't walk) He'd say; " gotta get my get-a-long back in gear." or " I'm down in my get-a-long." His way of trying to play down the seriousness of it being out of alignment and staying positive about his predicament. Hope you get better soon.... I keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Cat |
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Post by crazy4pink on Oct 14, 2011 23:21:08 GMT -5
Cat my parents used to say "put some giddy-up in your get-along" to tell us to hurry up Cindy |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 15, 2011 9:06:52 GMT -5
Oh I hope it's better soon! They took xrays on Thursday, so we will see. It's really sore right now, but it's always worse in the mornings. But they gave me some muscle relaxers and the stabbing pain is gone. Better living through chemistry!
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Post by craftygirl on Oct 15, 2011 15:27:42 GMT -5
Hooray, all the cards arrived. It would be sad to lose those cards in the mail. Michelle, I hope your back is better soon. Good luck!
Craft girl
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Post by Cat on Oct 15, 2011 20:01:10 GMT -5
 Glad you have them all! Hope your back lets you take pictures.....I would love to see everyones cards. But I don't want you to take pictures if it makes your back hurt....not worth it! Cat
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 17, 2011 18:01:25 GMT -5
Drat! I was taking a bunch of pictures for today for all the insurance stuff and forgot about taking the pictures today. Let's hope tomorrow is a nice day--I have a big foyer and with the sun shining in, I think I can get some good photos.
The muscle relaxers are doing the job. I can't string two thoughts together and can't drive, but I've slept the past few nights. Yay!
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Post by Cat on Oct 17, 2011 22:52:32 GMT -5
Michelle, we make a pair. You and your muscle relaxers and me and my allergy medications....we could really have high heel time....as long as we could do it on foot or setting down. I can just imagine our conversations .......we wouldn't care if the other one could string two thoughts together or not...we wouldn't even know the difference. I think it would turn into a giggle fest.  Cat |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 22, 2011 21:34:33 GMT -5
Cat, you have me pegged. I realized today that I hadn't made my follow up appt for my back. Ugh. I'd like to blame the meds, but really I just haven't been myself since we moved. I know it's just the settling in process, but I'm the sort of person who is pretty organized. It frustrates me! But I'm almost ready to put stuff up on the walls. That's progress! But I definitely would hang out with you anyday! |
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