Would You Please Put "From Our Hearts" on your Christmas List This Year and Valentine Card Challenge for the Troops

If you've been following my blog for very long, you know how I feel about the non-profit organization, From Our Hearts. Through this wonderful organization, stampers from all over the country have been organized and networked to make cards that are sent to deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Working primarily through chaplains, the cards are sent in boxes of about 300 cards at a time to more than 28 different locations. As we receive feedback from those receiving the cards, we know that they are snatched up almost as quickly as they arrive. The cards are used by military personnel to keep in touch with loved ones back home -- spouses, children, parents and friends all receive cherished notes from their loved ones on beautiful hand-made cards provided by literally hundreds of volunteers from across the nation!

Here's the really exciting news -- From Our Hearts has grown by leaps and bounds over this past year - from a little over 20,000 cards mailed last year to over 20,000 cards mailed this month alone! With growth comes new challenges and the organization has out-grown the space in Martie Shae's home -- primarily her spare bedroom and dining room. Martie is the organizer and coordinator of this fabulous outreach!

They have been offered FREE space to move their operations. Beginning January 1st, they will have a large space with room for everything in one space. This is really exciting news! You can read more about Martie's announcement HERE.

With their new space, they have new needs and need our help. Since everything has been in Martie's home up to now, they have simply used equipment that she already had -- computer, printer, tables, chairs, shelves, etc. Now they need to furnish their new space. Approximately $1500 is needed by the end of the year to purchase the things they will need to move the operation to the new space. If you're able to help out this fabulous organization, even with just a small gift, it will make a HUGE difference.

Donations may be made on the From Our Hearts Website by paypal. Any amount is appreciated! Donations may also be mailed to:

From Our Hearts, PO Box 105243, Jefferson City, MO  65109

All contributions are tax deductible.  A letter for tax purposes will be mailed upon request.

Now, for some more exciting news! You may remember the Birthday Card Contest that I held last May when so many of you sent Birthday Cards for From Our Hearts. More than 800 cards were received and sent overseas to the troops.

The urgent need for cards right now is Valentine's Day Cards! Yes, I know it's not even Christmas yet. But the Valentine Card shipment needs to be completed before the end of the year! My blog followers donated more than 800 Birthday cards. Can we top that record? Dare we dream of sending 1000 or more Valentine Cards to From Our Hearts before the end of the year? Wouldn't that be wonderful!

So, here's the details. Make a little bit of time to create some Valentine Cards for From Our Hearts. They don't have to be fancy or complicated. They can use retired product and even non-Stampin' Up! product! I would like to challenge everyone who reads this to send at least 5 Valentine Cards with Envelopes to From Our Hearts before December 20th. If you're able to make more (or if you already have a supply that you can send) that would be even better. If you're able to put each card and envelope inside a Clear Envelope, that would be even better than better! With every batch of Valentine's Cards, if you could send some cash to help with postage that would be simply wonderful. I would suggest $2 for every 5 cards that you send. In fact, it cost about $14 to send an entire box of cards (about 300 cards) to the troops so if you're able to donate postage for an entire box, that would be super-fantabulous! Send your Cards/envelopes and donations directly to From Our Hearts (address is below in the Valentine box) and include a note to let them know you are doing this as part of "Gretchen's Valentine Card Challenge". I also need you to leave a comment on this blog post to let me know you are participating.

Martie and her crew will keep track of who sends cards and donations and how many are sent. And then I will award one lucky participant (drawn randomly) a BRAND NEW Clear Mount Build a Blossom Stamp Set and the coordinating Blossom Petals Punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog. That's a value of more than $35 for Brand New products from Stampin' Up! The prize will be mailed out to the lucky winner by January 15th.

If you have questions, let me know! I'm so excited about this new challenge and the wonderful growing pains that From Our Hearts is experiencing! Just think of all the wonderful smiles and tears as military families receive messages back from their deployed loved ones on YOUR hand-made Valentine Cards! it warms my heart and I can't think of a better Christmas present!

Blessings, Gretchen

 

 

 

Comments

[Jan Hoyt]

Thank you, Gretchen, for the WONDERFUL support you are lending to From Our Hearts! I would like to do a similar challenge on my blog and am wondering if you mind if I use the great Valentine graphic you shared today on your blog to lend some publicity to the card drive. If you prefer that I not use it, that is quite all right, I just figured it wouldn't hurt to inquire. Thanks! Jan (inkerzaway@aol.com)

p.s I think we met in the outside elevator at the Shiloh last year during convention....are you going to Leadership?

[Judi Carpenter]

Gretchen, I'll be sending a packet of 10 cards and envelopes tomorrow! I'll also include some postage help. What a wonderful mission this is and I feel privileged to be able to help.
Your upline, Judi Carpenter

[mary michaud]

Gretchen,. I have been contributing to this great organization for almost a year now. I am already working on Valentines cards. Things I did not know when I started: put cards and envelopes in a clear envelope when possible. UNSEALED, as they will include a paper with the name of their organization so everyone will know where these great cards are coming from. If you go to their website and go back far enough there is a sample you can print off for yourself and save them even more time. Include an inventory list if sending many cards at one time. Thanks for
your posting.

[Mary Ellen Cope]

Gretchen WOW What a wonderful mission you have undertaken I hold two events a yr to make cards for the troops But I will Make Ten Valentine cards and send them to Martie Along with a FULL box of cut and scored cardstock for Regina and then the cards for Marti Blessings to all Sincerely Mary Ellen Cope

[Dori Saltow]

Gretchen, I have been wanting to do this for awhile. I will be sending Twenty Valentine Cards with envelopes for the troops to Martie plus $$ for her cause. This is a wonderful cause that you both are doing. Thank you for posting.

[Merrill]

Hi Gretchen,
Love the cards, you can count on me to help you reach 1000. I have several made and will make some more and send them direct, along with a donation for the office set up. Could you tell me what stamp you used on the cards (the floral one)?
What a great cause. I sponsor a soldier and I know how he likes the cards I sent him to pass out to his combat buddies.

[Sarah Goke]

Hi Gretchon,
I would LOVE to participate & help out; please count me in! I am a military spouse & my husband is currently deployed; I have sent several boxes to him alone full of all-occasion cards for him to pass out to his fellow soldiers. I want to say thank you for your support of our troops; you are truly a blessing!

[Christy]

I would love to help. I'll be sending 10 cards and also some $$$ to help with the postage.

[Robbie Cox]

Hi Gretchen,

I just mailed a BIG box of cards to Martie on Monday, but I'm not sure how may Valentines were in it since it was a mixed box that I had not inventoried so I will definitely send out another smaller box next week with Valentines.

[Kelly Collins]

Gretchen...I am sending out ten Valentine's today! What a wonderful thing to be involved in. Thanks for the opportunity!

[Julia Redd]

Hi Gretchen,
What a great thing. I will send out 10 Valentines with money for office setup and for postage. Is it possible that you could put on the instructions for the valentine card that you have posted with the envelope. I know how to make the envelope but I was interested in the heart with the frilly lace around it.
Thank you,
Julia Redd

[MaryJo Marshall]

Gretchen - what a wonderful organization...I plan to send some cards and a donation. I will get to work on these ASAP!!! Thank you for letting us know about this challenge! maryjo marshall - Ohio

[Martie Shea]

Cards are beginning to arrive! Thank you! Thank you!!!

[Kathy Swanson]

I will be sending cards soon, I posted on my local meetup group and hope to get some cards from the members. I am also making at least 20 to donate and offering class participants in the next week the opportunity to make Valentine cards at my classes to send to Martie. Thanks for the opportunity to help your cause!

Kathy

[Nancy lahr]

Thank You Gretchen for supporting this great mission. I am on board and will be sending out my cards tomorrow. Nancy Lahr

[patti moffett]

Hey Gretchen
Thanks for the opportunity to bless others..May the Lord bless you for your thoughtfulness. My cards will be in the mail by week's end. I got started with Cards for Troops from your birthday request last May and so far have sent 3 boxes
Our stamping ladies (Jen Allen demo in NJ) are getting together in January for a card making event for the troops...all because of your birthday request. You have "passed it forward" and your love and generosity keeps multiplying
blessings
patti moffett

[Jeannie Barron]

Hi Gretchen, I love your blog and will work on sending out cards this week. Thanks, Jeannie

[Kristine Chubb]

Gretchen,
You are wonderful to ignite us to the cause. I have 18 cards ready to mail tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration both in card design and world love.

[amy]

I have 65 from me and 5 from my mom - they are going to the post office today!

[Martie Shea]

The cards are arriving! And we appreciate the contributions we are receiving for postage and for our move, too. May God Bless all of you!!!

[Deb B (Debadoo)]

Gretchen, I love this idea and will be getting some cards out, just not sure how many. I have very little in the way of Valentine stamps, but already case'd your vellum overlay using stipple rose. Now for a giggle. Hopefully Dawn Olchefske doesn't kill me, I posted on HER blog that I was sending our some cards to the troops, then realized it and had to post a correction. <> lol Thanks so much for doing this for our troops and for offering such a fabulous blog candy!

[Sue Stevens]

I will be sending the cards on Monday, Dec. 13. I love that organizations send these handmade cards to our soldiers. Thanks for spurring me on to help in this busy season.
Sue

[Martie Shea]

10 packages have arrived so far - and thanks so much for the cards - I can only say they are FABULOUS!!

[Kathy Swanson]

I will be sending 50 cards in the morning Monday Dec 13th. Bad weather kept my friends from joining me, but we will continue to support the cause in future dates.

Kathy

[Carolyn Mahoney]

Hi Gretchen, Thank you for making all of your followers aware of this wonderful cause. I sent my 8 valentines today. Carolyn

[Darrah]

My wonderful downline made up a few cards this week. I will mail them tomorrow.

[Patti MacLeith]

WONDERFUL! My son was deployed last year and I know how much he appreciated any mail from home!

[Deb B (Debadoo)]

Thanks for doing this for our troops Gretchen! I did get 5 sent out and the PO said they would be there by the Monday deadline. Hope they make it so I can be in your drawing. Will try to get some more out to them before the deadline that Martie has.

[Arlene Donald]

Merry Valentine's Day and Happy Christmas! I'm putting 302 Valentines in the mail tomorrow to FOH to meet your challenge!!

[Oliva]

I am so sad I just got a chance to visit your blog...I would have love to have participated in this wonderful card challenge. I will definitely join the birthday challenge, which I hope you will host againg this coming year!!!