Hello readers!  Today I am hoping to help spread the word about a card drive headed up by fellow cardmaker and animal lover Ricky Burton-Romero.  I am sharing a summary of the drive here, but for all the details and the backstory please head to Ricky’s blog HERE.

Ricky is collecting cards for an organization called Live Like Roo.  Live Like Roo's founder, Sarah, started this non-profit to send care packages all across the United States to dogs and their human families that have been diagnosed with cancer. Not all cases lead to death.  Sarah and her organization also assist in medical bills, as well.  With the help of card makers all around the world, we want to do a card drive for Sarah. She sends a card with every box, and our idea is to get as many handmade cards to her so that she does not have to spend quality money on cards.

Here is what the card drive is looking for:

• The cards could animal-themed (but not necessary). The cards should say things like “I hope you get well soon,” “feel better,” or any words of encouragement for anyone going through a hard time (animal sickness). If you would like you could also send in Thank You cards as she needs those as well!
• No need to write anything on the inside. Sarah will fill in the handwritten message to make it personal for each case.
• The drive will run from November 14th to December 15th, 2019.
• Send cards to Ricky Burton-Romero – 7003 N Wolcott Ave #1, Chicago IL 60626.
• Please be sure to include your contact information with the cards so that when the prize draw happens, Ricky will know where to send emails to! (More on prizes below.)
• After December 15th, Ricky will plan to make a trip to Sarah and present her with all the cards on an Instagram live! You will be able to see the happiness you bring to her life through these cards! (Follow Ricky on instagram HERE.)

After the card drive is over, anyone that donated cards to the cause will be entered to win PRIZES! The prize list is currently growing with sponsors like Jennifer McGuire, Studio Katia and many more!

I know that many cardmakers are also animals lovers, so even if it's only one card that you are able to send, both Sarah and Ricky will be grateful as it's one less card the organization needs to spend money purchasing.

If you are interested in donating cards to other worthwhile causes, you can read my post here for more information.

Cardmakers tend to make a lot of cards.  Most of us have piles and piles, or shoeboxes upon shoeboxes, of our creations, but actually giving them away or sending them seems to be a common dilemma.   I frequently hear, "But, I really like this card" or "I don't want to give it away!"  I totally get it.  I have my fair share of "favorites" or cards that took me hours to create that I would not give to just anyone.  So, they sit on a shelf in my craft room only to be admired by me.

Well, what if the very same joy that card brought to you, could be shared with so many others instead of sitting on that shelf, or tucked away in a box somewhere? There are many worthwhile organizations that always need cards, and accept donations of handmade cards to use.  Stop hoarding all those cards and pay it forward!  Donating to any of these organizations is a great way to enjoy your hobby while also helping others.

Here are some great resources to help get you started:

Types of Cards: encouragement, cheer, thank you, others.
Contact: Your local hospital auxiliary
In their support role for the hospital, local hospital auxiliaries can use cards for patient and staff support. Some hospital auxiliaries also run gift shops that sell handmade items where card donations may be welcomed. (Note that many hospitals will not accept cards with “get well” themes or religious messages, but contact your area hospital directly to see what they accept.)

Types of Cards: Thank you, hello, cheer, baby, wedding, holidays, sympathy
Contact: The congregation’s secretary
Many card makers need look no further than their own church for a great place to donate their cards, as even in the age of email many churches still send large amounts of traditional cards to members. Ask your church what cards are most needed!

Types of Cards: All cards
Contact: Your charity of choice.
You can find most online. Check https://www.donorschoose.org/ to find a charity local to you.  Charities spend a lot of time saying thank you, to their donors and to their volunteers. Other cards they might need depend on the particular charity’s mission, so check with your chosen charity to find out their needs.

Types of Cards: All holidays & occasions, thank you, hello, cheer.
Contact: A facility in your community.
One of the challenges of providing quality of life for residents of long term care facilities is helping them continue to feel connected to family, friends, and the community. Providing them a supply of handmade cards to use to keep in contact with their loved ones is one thing that can help bridge that gap.

Types of Cards: Cheer and friendship
Contact: http://colorgivesmile.weebly.com/
This group promotes the sending of positive messages of cheer and friendship to seniors living in assisted living facilities. Participants can find their own local facility to send to, or Color Give Smile will provide them with contact information for a suggested facility whose seniors are in need of some cheer.

Types of Cards: All holidays & occasions, thank you, cheer
Contact: Visit https://www.rmhc.org/ to find a facility near you
Ronald McDonald House attached to children’s hospitals around the country enable families to stay near their child while the child receives needed medical care. Whether it is supporting families or thanking their donors and volunteers, handmade cards can play a small, but valuable role in the important mission of Ronald McDonald House.

Types of Cards: Varies – check their request updates.
Contact: http://sendasmile4kids.blogspot.com/
This blog currently serves five different children’s hospitals around the United States, collecting and distributing cards for children who are hospitalized at the facilities. Their card needs vary, so be sure to check the blog for updates and holiday shipping deadlines.

Types of Cards: Cheer, encouragement
Contact: http://www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com/
This Illinois‐based group collects cards for hospitalized kids and distributes them to hospitals in all 50 states. As their motto says, “Doctors provide medicine and we provide hope, joy and magic.”

Types of Cards: Cheer, encouragement, and thank you
Contact: http://military-missions.org/info/
This non‐profit organization sends care packages year‐round to members of the United States military that are deployed overseas. Military Missions collects signed cards of encouragement to include in the packages they send to help show support for the troops.

Types of Cards: Thinking of you, positive messages, cheer
Contact: https://www.bringsmilestoseniors.com/
Bring Smiles to Seniors is a national non-profit that focuses on showing beloved senior citizens love and kindness. They are looking for handmade or store-bought cards to give to seniors all around the country, or supplies for organized cardmaking events. They do ask that you send the card unsealed so they can sticker it with an easy-to-open sticker. They're looking for everyday "Thinking of You" cards and general positivity themes. 

Types of Cards: Birthday, encouragement, cheer, get well, anniversary, baby, welcome home
Contact: https://soldiersangels.org/Cards‐Plus‐Team.html
The Cards Plus Team at Soldiers’ Angels supports deployed service members, veterans, and their families through the encouragement of cards and notes. Angel team members can also request cards for someone they know in need of support.

Types of Cards: Cheer, thank you, encouragement, holiday
Contact: http://heartillerygroup.org/

This non‐profit, founded by a military wife, is devoted to one simple mission: collecting cards of encouragement for deployed service members. Heartillary sends cards out year‐round, so there’s no need to wait for a holiday to share some cheer!

Types of cards:  All kinds
Contact:  https://stjudesranch.org/recycled-card-program/

Yes!  We are still accepting the fronts of your recycled cards (except for Hallmark, American Greetings and Disney which we are unable to accept due to copyright laws) as we continue to revamp our recycled card program in our effort to provide teens with life and work skills.
Please SEND to:  St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005.
We also accept new cards (any occasion) with or without the envelopes.

Whether you are sending cards to your own mom, BFF, co-workers, the teachers at your kids' school, the local hospital, nursing home, or unknown soldiers on the other side of the world, handmade cards carry a heartfelt message and help brighten someone's day in the most simple of ways.

Share your handmade love today!