CFC03 - Operation: Quiet Comfort

[stagccva]

TOTAL CARDS DONATED = 697

Hi there everyone! Welcome to the newest challenge on Splitcoast. This one will be a little different from the usual daily challenges - it will run all month.

The basic idea of the Cards for a Cause challenge is this: each month, stampers are invited to create cards (you can do one, you can do ten - however many you want!) to donate to a specific cause. All cards will be sent to the Post Office box listed below, and the cards will be forwarded on to the featured organization.

I'm a little late this month - today was my husband's birthday, so I've been busy! Sorry for the late post

This month our cause is Operation: Quiet Comfort. This cause is a little different, because this month you CAN, and are encouaged to, write in the cards you send. But you don't have to - see the guidelines posted below. Operation: Quiet Comfort shows its support to wounded soldiers through various projects designed to meet their changing needs and to show our gratitude for their sacrifice and service.

Here are the guidelines they ask we adhere to for their cards:

GET WELL CARD GUIDELINES

The type of cards should be: Patriotic, Get Well, Thinking of you, Thank you

Don’t forget our medical staffs. You can send a patriotic thank you card letting them know how appreciated they are for the work they are doing. Same guidelines apply.
Each card included in a Go Bag must have a personal message written inside. Start off with “Dear Hero” or something similar. This makes it appropriate for any military unit. The message can be a simple “get well soon” or “thank you for your service” or a letter describing yourself, your family, your town. Write from the heart. Ask family and friends to sign cards too. We like to have cards from many different people from all over. If you do not know what to write, OQC has many members willing to fill your blank card with a heartfelt message.
SIZE: approx 4x5 – ½ sheet of cardstock. The card must fit into a quart size bag

NO GLITTER or LOOSE embellishments. This is at the direction of the medical staffs.
NO envelope is required.

I cannot wait to see how much support we can generate for these brave soldiers and their caregivers! They really need our support, and to know we are thinking of them and supporting them.

Please have your cards to me no later than December 01, 2008.
Send them to this address:

Splitcoaststampers Cards for a Cause
118 S. South Street #605
Farmville, Virginia 23901
USA

Upload your cards to whatever stamp gallery they belong in, and use the keyword CFC03. That way, we can all check the CFC03 gallery to see how many cards we are sending! Have fun, and thanks so much for helping us spread some sunshine! If you have any questions, feel free to post them here or send me a pm!

CFC03 Gallery

My sample will be up soon!

[stagccva]

Feel free to visit their website!

[muzbysmom]

This organization is a little confusing to me! I will check out their website. Thanks for the link, stagccva! I've sent cards for the first two challenges as I will for this one. I think this is a great challenge venue and should be supported!

[DLS881]

Originally Posted by muzbysmom

This organization is a little confusing to me! I will check out their website. Thanks for the link, stagccva! I've sent cards for the first two challenges as I will for this one. I think this is a great challenge venue and should be supported!

Hi, if you have any questions about OQC (a non-profit), please ask. I've been a member for 4 years now and am its volunteer card coordinator. You won't see any mention of the cards needed on the website, you would have to join the yahoo group for that information. The founder is a marine mom.

We support over 50 combat support hospitals (in the battle zones) and their medical staffs. Our organization started by sending in quilts made out of old blue jeans (made out of denim squares signed with a thank you message) and go bags (each go bag includes 5 cards) or transition kits for the wounded. We have evolved into doing that and much more. We have sent bread machines and mixes, holiday shipments, sweats, underwear kits, cd players, arcade type basketball games, pinewood derby kits and track...the list goes on.

Thank you, Taylor for helping OQC and thank you to everyone who takes the time to make a card.

[toodlesyall]

I've had enough friends go through Bethesda Naval Hospital these past few years; this organization is great. Thank you for the opportunity to thank others.

[usarmywyfe]

Another excellent cause, Taylor! Thank you for all you do!

[camillewayne]

As always, thank you for the amazing opportunities to all of us to be supportive in so many different ways! You can count me in!

[acable]

Fabulous challenge! Thanks, Taylor.

[Donegal1]

GI JANE

[stagccva]

Originally Posted by DLS881

Hi, if you have any questions about OQC (a non-profit), please ask. I've been a member for 4 years now and am its volunteer card coordinator. You won't see any mention of the cards needed on the website, you would have to join the yahoo group for that information. The founder is a marine mom.

We support over 50 combat support hospitals (in the battle zones) and their medical staffs. Our organization started by sending in quilts made out of old blue jeans (made out of denim squares signed with a thank you message) and go bags (each go bag includes 5 cards) or transition kits for the wounded. We have evolved into doing that and much more. We have sent bread machines and mixes, holiday shipments, sweats, underwear kits, cd players, arcade type basketball games, pinewood derby kits and track...the list goes on.

Thank you, Taylor for helping OQC and thank you to everyone who takes the time to sign a card.

Thanks for jumping in and offering some input - I appreciate it! I truly believe this is an amazing cause, and hope that lots of people can find the time to make some cards to send!

It is important to remember, everyone, that you don't have to write in your card. I'll separate them, and OCQ volunteers will happily put a message in there for you.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have! I'd love to see a response as big as October's!

[Toni in Kansas]

I'm going to try to get some in the mail. A question, do we send envelopes with them? I'm assuming so, but wanted to make sure.

Thanks,
Toni

[DLS881]

Originally Posted by Toni in Kansas

I'm going to try to get some in the mail. A question, do we send envelopes with them? I'm assuming so, but wanted to make sure.

Thanks,
Toni

No envelopes. I group the cards into a set of 5 and put into a quart size baggie which will be placed in the "go bag" . We don't use envelopes; sometimes the chaplains at the hospitals read the cards just to make sure they are appropriate (and its easier for the recipients).

[ctreach]

Would love to send some cards, joined last month and this is another great cause.

[princessp1971]

Last month Chemo Angels was my first challenge for a wonderful cause and it made me feel so good to send those cards. This is another great cause. Mine will be in the mail by the due date! Thank you for taking the time to do these wonderful challenges. GOD BLESS
Patti

[cotdsffs]

Here is my submission to the Operation: Quiet Comfort.
//www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1115084

I had actually read about this originally while searching quilting websites. Haven't made a quilt yet (not sure what OQC would require) but cards are a lot quicker and you don't have to shove them through a sewing machine throat! (Quilters...you know what I mean. lol) Hope to get a few more cards made up in between prepping for my daughter's bday. Trying to make homemade ravioli!
Joy Moss

[lovetostamp569]

How about Christmas cards? Can we send those?

[Scrapolina]

Would cards with a xmas theme get to them in time for this challenge?
Thanks! Cant wait to be a part of this challenge!

[DLS881]

Originally Posted by cotdsffs

Here is my submission to the Operation: Quiet Comfort.
//www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1115084

I had actually read about this originally while searching quilting websites. Haven't made a quilt yet (not sure what OQC would require) but cards are a lot quicker and you don't have to shove them through a sewing machine throat! (Quilters...you know what I mean. lol) Hope to get a few more cards made up in between prepping for my daughter's bday. Trying to make homemade ravioli!
Joy Moss

Perfect card! And if you ever want to make a quilt, just let me know and I'll hook you up with the "quilting dept". I do cards - sewing machines and I do not get along. yum, homemade ravioli!

[DLS881]

Originally Posted by Scrapolina

Would cards with a xmas theme get to them in time for this challenge?
Thanks! Cant wait to be a part of this challenge!

This challenge is for OQC's regular thank you/get well/thinking of you/sending a smile type cards.

I have been soliciting holiday cards (per other threads) for our holiday shipping and if you want more info on that please pm me.

[shelsmom]

Another great cause, I will whip up a few this weekend and get them in the mail. Thanks

[ch]

I'm in!! Mine will be in the mail later this week. Sounds like a great cause!!

[mcbetty]

A great cause! I'm glad to see this one. Count me in -- I have the perfect stamp set.

My DH (before I met him) spent several months in a military hospital because of injuries in 'Nam ... he wasn't expected to survive, he wasn't expected to wake up from a 3 month coma, he wasn't expected to walk, he wasn't expected to complete college. He proved them all wrong.

[kathymellin]

These cards for a cause challenges are so awesome and so encouraging to see all the organizations working to help others going through hard times. But for the grace of God, there go I, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to help even in these small ways. Thanks to those of you who work together to make this possible.

[StampingQueenJAR]

Taylor, this is such a great cause. I am so happy to see this one!

[PH in VA]

I made a card for the challenge but wasn't 100% satisfied with it, so I tweaked it a little and came up with this card.

Taylor, thank you for coordinating all of this!

[eaparham]

In keeping with the spirit of heroes and veterans, could I suggest a future challenge for those veterans who are in the VA hospitals around the US, and in VA Nursing homes ? And the USO. They do a great job for the military, but imagine being able to put a smile on the face of someone who's stuck in an airport or missed their flight going home. Another possibility could be selling our homemade gems at craft fairs, and keeping a portion of the proceeds to be sent to a charity ? That could be done as a group or individually. Just the thoughts that pass thru my mind in the middle of the night.

[Sherlie]

What a wonderful idea to do, Cards for a Cause! I always have felt rather aimless when I make cards for a challenge and I know I can always donate them somewhere but this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Here is my contribution. I made ten of these and may make some more as I have more patriotic stamps that I would like to use.
http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...6452?cat=12470

[crabbyscraper]

i have never done one of these challenges, but this is right up my ally , i will be honored to send in some cheer for our brave brave soldiers, thank you for the chance!!!

[luvtoink]

Count me in! What a great way to say I'm thankful to/for you.

++++++++++++++++++
www.creatingwithcathy.stampinup.net

[Markey]

I have also heard that you should not put glitter or similar accessories onto the cards as it might interfer with bandages and open wounds that cannot be covered. Not sure, but better safe than sorry.

I will be sending some in shortly.
Best to you!
Markey

[usarmywyfe]

I finally got to play. Here's one of the cards I sent off today:
http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...&ppuser=155589

[DLS881]

Originally Posted by Markey

I have also heard that you should not put glitter or similar accessories onto the cards as it might interfer with bandages and open wounds that cannot be covered. Not sure, but better safe than sorry.

I will be sending some in shortly.
Best to you!
Markey

Yes, that's in the guidelines but is worth mentioning again. No glitter or loose embellishments (such as buttons). If you use an embellishment, make sure it is attached good..

[DancesWithHooves]

Thank you so much for another opportunity to help others through our cardmaking!

Here is a card I made several of today to send off:
CFC03 Operation Quiet Comfort

It's a CASE of a card I saw in the SCS galleries several years ago but I thought it would be a perfect one to send on for this!

I am going to try like crazy to get more made and send of later in the month but I'm sending these now to ensure that I at least get something sent in for this wonderful challenge!

[Pianolady1026]

I know this sounds stupid, but what is a go bag?

[Sherlie]

My cards are on the way. I made 12 more to add to the first 10. They were a bit different but on the same pattern and sad to say, I didnt take a picture. I am pleased to be able to do this.

[shelsmom]

I have made 4 so far and glad to do it, will try to get a few more made, if not these will go in the mail soon. Thanks for this great challenge, another wonderful cause.

[nhoetker]

Sent my batch of cards off yesterday...looking forward to learning about next month's cause!

[PH in VA]

Here are a couple more cards I made this week for this challenge.

thinking of a soldier

falling leaves

[DLS881]

Originally Posted by Pianolady1026

I know this sounds stupid, but what is a go bag?

A "go bag" is what OQC calls the transition kits that we send over. The wounded troops arrive at the combat hospitals without any of their personal belongings. Our go bag/backpack (and each one is identical, except for a female go bag) contains comfort, hygiene, entertainment items ie: shampoo, shaving gel, razors, puzzle book, reader's digest, personal cd player, 3 cds, writing paper, pens, 5 get well/thinking of you/thank you cards etc. The patients are given the bag when they arrive. On scheduled "packing days" througout the year we usually put together at least 50 of these bags and they are kept at OQC in LaSalle MI. When Lori, OQC president, is contacted by the hospitals, the bags are ready to be shipped..

The cards are an important part of the go bag. I group the cards in fives (3 adult/2 kids) and make sure that each card is from a different part of the US to show the "love and gratitude of a grateful nation". This is why we ask that all cards are signed with a personal message. This is an on-going need so if anyone wants to continue sending in cards to me personally after the challenge, please PM me and I'll give you my address.

[smileyface55]

What a great cause- I'm sending in 8 cards today, and have posted a photo of the card in my gallery (Sorry I don't know how to post a link here yet, but I'm learning!) -Nita