AUGUST 2020 MISSION - CARDS FOR A CAUSE

[russnzella]

CARDS FOR A CAUSE

AUGUST 2020 MISSION

STAMPING FROM THE HEART

Group: W.H.E.A.T.


Group website: https://honortroops.org/http://


I'm really excited about this month's challenge and the group provided a ton of information so I'm just going to copy and paste her email so you can read through it...

A. Types of Cards:

1. Sadly, we cannot send anything
   faith-based. It's not that we don't want to, but the soldiers we serve
   (most of them) are in the Middle East. For their safety, we've been
   advised/asked not to send anything that could jeopardize the safety of
   our soldiers, which includes anything with pork in it (like instant
   noodles), bibles, anything with a religious connotation to it. If the
   soldier's items were intercepted along the way, we can't risk putting
   the soldiers in greater danger than they already are.


2. Please
   express our deep appreciation to the card members and let them know that
   we're following U.S. Government mandates that we NOT send anything with
   a hint of religion in/on it.


3. Blank cards, birthday cards (for
   all ages), anniversary cards, are most requested. What we do with the
   birthday and anniversary cards is send the blank cards in pre-stamped
   envelopes with pens for each card. That way, a service member has an
   entire kit (a beautifully made card, pre-stamped envelope, and a pen) to
   write to a loved one back home.


4. Blank cards: we also use this
   to handwrite personal messages to the soldiers. (We stay with a unit
   from date of adoption through their full deployment. If they get
   extended, so do we. For some of the soldiers, we've been with them for a
   year or more...sending care packages every two weeks or so. We always
   make sure that we have enough high-end, awesome items for the entire
   Unit in every shipment. We serve Units as small as 2 soldiers and the
   largest, to date, is 600 soldiers in one Unit.) We also serve K-9
   soldiers and their handlers. So, if someone loves to make cards with
   animals on them, that would be awesome! We will match each card,
   literally, to the perfect soldiers/Units.) I used to practice law
   (before retirement) and ran a multijurisdictional law practice in OR,
   WA, and CA. W.H.E.A.T. has a binder for each soldier/Unit and tracks the
   date of shipment, what we shipped, when it arrived, what they
   need/want/crave, etc.


5. Signatures with messages in them: If
   cardmakers would like to make a card and write to the troops (cards can
   be from children, too!), we request that: a) the cards be addressed,
   "Dear Soldier" so that we can send it to any of the 5 branches of the
   military; b) the message be uplifting and positive, and/or; c) just talk
   about your life and what you're doing (e.g., I frequently write about
   our labrador retrievers daily activities with my free range chickens).
   There's no right or wrong to this...just say what feels comfortable.


6. No restrictions: No restrictions on small items,
   moving parts (I LOVE cards like that) because we pack them securely into
   boxes. We developed a very fine-tuned system with the USPS so that are
   boxes (knock on wood) seem to hold up really well after being dropped
   from helicopters, loaded onto ships, you name it. (Troops have sent
   pictures to us.)


7. Troop feedback: If we receive troop feedback
   (it may take a couple months, depending on where the soldiers are
   deployed), we would love to share that with your group. If you can
   provide me a channel to do that - through you or some other way - I'll
   be sure to update everyone!

B. Sending Cards:

1. Please send to W.H.E.A.T., P.O. Box 304, Colfax, WA 99111;


2. Anyone
   with questions (honestly, ask them to reach out to me with ANY
   questions!) can text or call me at 509-945-1314, or email me at [email protected];


3. If
   card makers would like a tax receipt, no problem - The information that
   I need from them is: name, mailing address, email, phone number, tax
   value of the cards (we can't give a receipt for the labor part of the
   cardmaking process), but what would they sell them for? I need the phone
   number and email in case I have any questions, and;


4. Volunteer
   time: W.H.E.A.T. tracks every person's volunteer time. It would be great
   for us (and the volunteers) to receive "credit" for their time. If the
   card makers would send a note with their cards letting me know how much
   time they spent both on making the cards and packing/shipping them to
   us, that would be awesome!

C. Card Count: I will definitely keep you posted and let you know the grand total of cards sent to us.


D.
Ongoing List: Do you have a list of nonprofits that accept cards on an
ongoing basis? I don't want to sound greedy or take cards from other
deserving organizations/individuals. We currently serve over 2,000
soldiers per/month. Their favorite item to receive, we hear, is the
cards/notes/letter.

We can't thank you enough! We're super excited and our soldiers overseas will be, too!

I hope ya'll enjoy making cards for this group. They are new for our group but I think they may just be a keeper. God bless you for you do!!!

[MicheleUke]

In the past, we have been told not to use glitter for cards to the military. Is that the case for these cards?

[rainykay]

Another great cause. Count me in.

[Kathi127]

What a wonderful cause! Count me in!

[SBinGA]

Great cause! Question...Do we need to send envelopes? The only mention of envelopes was the envelopes with stamps and a pen.

[traingina]

That guidance seems to have been valid as recently as 2 months ago - so i would just go with it and assume Glitter that sheds is a No-No.
There is some paper where the glitter is encased...if you rub the paper on your shirt and your shirt is glittered - it's shedding. If your shirt isn't glittered the paper should be OK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicheleUke

In the past, we have been told not to use glitter for cards to the military. Is that the case for these cards?

[traingina]

My card stash is "banked" these days - lotsa cards from classes mixed in .... so box of 24 "Birthday", "Thinking of You" and Blank cards, with a few Love You types mixed in going postal today...
Tracking:  9405503699300477964897

[Melba S]

This is a wonderful cause, thank you for bringing it to us. I will definitely be participating! Did we get an answer about the envelopes yet?

[ScrapperBecca]

Great cause and I am looking forward to participating!
Becca

[SBinGA]

I sent a message to the number listed. She said yes, please on the envelopes.

[russnzella]

Happy Friday Everyone! Gee, it's been a crazy week around here for me...work has been a beast...but it's Friday and that's a good thing.


I see that glitter came into question...I even asked that originally and was told that it's ok but honestly I would probably refrain from using much. Just my humble opinion. And as for envelopes...they are always appreciated.



So how is everyone doing with life these days? Everyone doing ok through what has become our new normal due to this pandemic? It seems to be a very fluid situation with things open and closed and masked vs no mask and social distancing... It really is a lot to deal with for the average person. And now throw in schools opening one day and then not the next or school sports or gee - anything really. Are you all handling it ok? Are you and your families all remaining healthy and safe? Please know that I'm praying those in this group...that even if you don't post and are more a "lurker" - that is ok....I don't need to know your name or even know that you are here....I pray for the group as a whole and so you're included


Question for you all: there has been a lot on the news these days around here about human trafficking. Even just now I heard a story where they said that Ohio is ranked 6th in the country for the problem. Who knew! So I was thinking of finding a group that is associated with that issue. If anyone knows of any - please post the name or email me.



And for your "useless trivia" for the day: The second week of August starts a week long celebration of what summer staple? KOOL-AID! (From the "coffee quiz" on our morning news program...LOL!!!)


Have a great Friday ya'll!!!!!

[shendrian]

Count me in. Looking forward to participating!

[DLS881]

Hello all!


I completely missed the July cause :O I have no idea how or why. Not even sure what happened to July!


Anyway I'm back on track and looking forward to this month's cause


Just a word about the glitter. I am the contact for a previous cause, Operation Quiet Comfort, which also collects cards for the troops. We were told by the troops we send support to that Glitter is a big NO. Because of the shedding,  It can be picked up by night vision goggles.

[happyinhawaii]

Aloha sending 20 cards today.

[Ldumont999]

I'm going to try. In the last few weeks, we:1. lost power for over a week (east coast tropical storm)
2. my husband was rushed to the hospital.
3. my husband had emgerency surgery
4. we got power back.
5. I had to itemize two fridges and two freezers worth of rotten food and take pictures of it, before throwing it out so I can get reimbursed
6. had to fight with company to get reimbursed for my husbands drugs & insulin that need to be refridgerated and then thrown out so I could get new ones shipped ASAP.
7. Plus work from home (due to covid) starting at 6:00 a.m. then again after I get home from the hospital to midnight, to make up all the missed emails and work from when the power was out and while I was in the hospital. Sigh.
I NEED to craft so I can relax. Maybe next weekend. Sigh.

[terry serman]

Louise- I hope everything settles down for you and that your husband makes a full recovery!

I sent a box of cards yesterday to WHEAT.

[susie718]

Louise, that is a lot of stress in a short amount of time. I’m sending best wishes that things get better for you soon.

[Sarge]

For the August cause, I sent 35 cards to W.H.E.A.T and 5 each to Brighter Birthdays, Smiles for Seniors and Operation Gratitude. As a veteran, I know from experience the cards for Operation Gratitude and W.H.E.A.T are greatly appreciated by military folks all over the world. Now is the time for me to start on Christmas cards for these causes. Thanks for making the needs of these organizations known to card makers everywhere.

[russnzella]

Oh Louise!!! That is a lot to deal with!! You and your hubby are in my prayers.....Big hugs to you my friend!!!!

[russnzella]

Hello everyone!!!


I received a message from Lana from WHEAT.... please see below:



a) Last week, we received 25 unbelievably beautiful cards with
pre-stamped envelopes. However, the return address label was missing - I
could see where it had been affixed to the envelope, but it
must've fallen off during delivery. Is there any way you can ask your
group who this is so I can send a proper thank you?


b)
We mailed 164 care packages in 60 days. Roger and I took off to go
camping in the Redwoods, something that I've always wanted to see. I
will check the mailbox on Monday, August 17th, and let you know what's
there. Several women in your group have been communicating with me and
asking lots of questions, which is so awesome!

If whoever sent the 25 cards with prestamped envies could either let me know or text/email Lana directly that would be great.


Have a fantastic rest of the weekend!!! Bless you all!!!!

[Ldumont999]

I've actually had a chace to work on some cards (see post 15). Not as many as ususal - but I will certainly be getting at least some in the mail this month. On top of everything else, we had a house guest. Somehow a chipmunk got into the house the day before my husband came home from the hospital. Everytime we thought he'd gotten back out, we saw him jump out of corner and across the room, only to disappear again. God certainly has a sense of humor. It has been a weird month. But John is home and getting better every day. I'm being reimbursed for all the meds we lost in the fridge by the power company. My job is still going well and my boss was very understanding about the odd hours I had to work for a while. And, finally, we caught the chipmunk and got him back outside. LOL Making the cards this month has been my mental therapy.

[terry serman]

Glad to hear the good news Louise!

[DebbieinOC]

Oh Louise, So sorry to hear about all that you have been going through; but, so glad that things are doing better. I really don't know what I would do if I had a chipmunk in my house....EGAD!

[mfb]

Do you guys think it is ok to send a card with alcoholic images on it? We just made a card at club using the new SU set called Whiskey Business. It is a very sharp card, but I'm just not sure.

[shendrian]

Mailed 20 cards a few days ago.

[russnzella]

If it were me and I wanted to send it I would...they can use their judgement on how they use that card. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfb

Do you guys think it is ok to send a card with alcoholic images on it? We just made a card at club using the new SU set called Whiskey Business. It is a very sharp card, but I'm just not sure.

[russnzella]

Oh Louise...I couldn't help but chuckle a bit about the chipmunk visitor...God certainly does have a sense of humor.  And I'm sure that looking back at it - if not now then in a few months - you will certainly chuckle at the thought of that little critter jumping out of the corner.  I'm glad to hear that things are settling back down for you - it certainly has been a quite a month for you my friend.  Continuing to pray for you all! 

[russnzella]

Hi Everyone!

I'm going to post a new thread in a few minutes.  We have had a special request and, while I'm certain I will ge them in the rotation next year, I think their special request shouldn't wait until I can fit them in the schedule.  So no pressure to participate...but I'm just going to put it out there in case anyone can help out.

Bless you all!!!

[rainykay]

Just mailed 50 cards out this morning. 

[Ldumont999]

Medium Flat Rate Box is ready to go out tomorrow.

[mfb]

Hi all!  I am excited to participate this month.  I wouldn't normally have this many cards to send out, but I went through my pre-made card boxes and also made several new.  So, I'll be sending over 50.  I emailed Lana several questions and thought I would let you know her responses.

My whiskey card is ok.

They take thank you cards, too.

For holiday cards, other greetings are fine - like Happy Holidays, Season's greetings, Let it Snow, snowmen, etc.  Just nothing with a cross or "Christ" or "Christmas" on them.

[RileyRuxpin]

Such a worthy endeavor!  Thank you for the opportunity to participate this month.  I got a little carried away - cleaned out my stash - sent 65 cards on Monday.  Lara should have by next Monday or Tuesday.  This is a C4AC that I'll be sending to again.

[rainykay]

Michelle, So glad you posted about holiday cards without the words Christmas on them.  I would never have thought about that.  Had a whole box that I was going to send, but most of them have Christmas on them.   Oh well needed a reason to make some more. Great cause and I will definitely be sending to them again. 

[russnzella]

Ya'll are totally amazing....and Lana is beside herself!!!  In the past couple days she has sent me two emails so I want share them with you:

Zella,

WOW! What an amazing group of card makers.
I'll have a tally for you tomorrow of what we at W.H.E.A.T. have
received to date. The craftsmanship is incredible. We're very blessed.
It's like a holiday every time that I open a package/box of cards. I
know how much it takes to make cards...all the love, time, energy that
it takes.

We're incredibly grateful and our soldiers are going to LOVE them.

Thanks again!

Lana

And then the next day:

Wow! I'm in tears because I'm so moved by your
groups' response to our desperate need for cards for our American
soldiers deployed overseas. Here's what we've received so far - 713 cards w/envelopes, 25 of which had pre-stamped envelopes for the soldiers to send cards to loved ones in America!

We're so humbled and blessed by your groups' selfless acts of
kindness. At the end of the month, I'll send a photo for you to share
with your group of all of the cards. 

Thank you

She listed out each package by name and how many cards were received....she is overwhelmed by your talent and generosity!!!  You certainly have touched the heart of her and her organization...and will touch the lives of all those who will receive the cards to send to their loved ones.  You all are simply amazing people and I'm so blessed to be part of this group!!!

[russnzella]

Hmmm...it's interesting that Christmas cards were mentioned....because both of our organizations for October and November have requested Christmas cards and Birthday cards...one group welcomes Christian themes while the other prefers not to receive them.  Just an FYI of what is coming up.  Both of these groups will be new groups for us...as well as the upcoming group for September.  Then to finish out the year in Dec we will be fulfilling a special request from a group that was featured previously this year who has asked specifically for Sympathy cards.

[AScrapofKindness]

A package was posted today, USPS Tracking No. 9534 6143 1066 0241 4511 15.  It has an estimated delivery date of 09/03/20.  I have a soft spot for the military, coming from a military family, and having served myself.  Thank you for the honor and pleasure of creating this collection of cards.  

[susie718]

I’m mailing a box of 120 cards today.

[DebbieinOC]

I will be putting 25 more cards in the mail tomorrow.  Great organization and so happy I was able to participate and support this cause.

[Melba S]

I took 24 cards to the Post Office today.  

The tracking number is 9534 6124 6077 0244 1648 10.

This need is special to me also because my Grandfather was a WWI veteran. I can definitely see sending cards to this group again.  Thank you for bringing this to our group! 

[ScrapperBecca]

I haven't checked in on the list for a couple weeks, but am getting my box of 60 cards out in today's mail.  

Louise, it sounds like you've had quite an August!  I am glad to hear that your hubby is home and recovering and am hoping that you're getting in some relaxing time for yourself as well.

Thanks for the preview for the next few months Zella!  I really appreciate knowing what's coming up so that I can pick themes to work on when I have the time.  I sent all birthday cards in my box going out today, so I'll get to replenishing my stash since we have more birthday requests coming up.

We're staying safe and healthy here and doing our best to keep our lives as normal as possible.  I hope everyone else is doing the same.

Becca