Today I got my weekly SitRep from Operation Write Home’s founder, Sandy Allnock- and it included a shocker. Due to the troops being withdrawn (and correspondingly the number of cards needed) there is beginning to be an imbalance in the amount of administration time needed and the folks being served. So she’s decided to wrap it up.
Take a look at the full 12-minute video here:
Here are some important highlights:
- There will probably be funds left over from OWH- so those will be donated directly to the USO. (OWH is fully funded through 2015!)
- They will NOT change their mission from serving deployed troops; so fewer troops overseas = fewer cards needed.
- It’s not feasible to hand off OWH to another group due to the administration costs.
- The troops are requesting fewer cards and OWH will continue to serve them until the cards run out.
- All cards must be sent in by AUGUST 1, 2015. That is the cut-off date for the last batch of cards!
- There will be a final “wrap party” in December 2015
- The website, youtube, and social media channels will continue to be maintained.
- Watch for the Memorial Day Bloghop with the theme of “Finishing Strong.”
Sandy estimates that over SIX MILLION lives have been touched by the troops and their families through hand-made cards. That really illustrates the power of craft!
Now, if you still have the urge to create cards for charitable organizations, I found CardsForHospitalizedKids which send handmade cards to hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide. I have no experience with them, but I’ll be looking into doing a post on them so we can learn more.
Lastly- if you know of a charity that accepts handmade cards, please leave a comment below! I have a feeling there will be a number of card-makers that will be looking for new places to send their handmade card donations.
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Awww…I guess we should be happy that most of the troups are coming home and won’t need mail! But I’ll miss this. I guess I should get my remaining cards together and ship them off.
Agreed! I have a box that I should have sent out 6 months ago….better get that out ASAP!
This is bittersweet. Glad the troops are headed home but sad that OWH is coming to an end.
So many cards destined for any Heros. I guess I need to run them to the post office before the cut off.
Cards for Hospitalized Kids has a newsletter but it hasn’t been published since 2013. I’ve contacted them to see if they’re still in operation. I might just contact our local hospitals through their volunteer coordinators to see if children would like cards. A friend is in the VFW and perhaps cards for vets could be a good use for the two sets of military-theme stamps and all that paper with patriotic themes. I don’t send Love You or Missing You cards, so I’ll have to decide what to do with those sentiments. Maybe just make up new sentiments to go with the images in those sets. I boxed up my last OWH cards this evening…sad and happy at the same time.
Jenny, I agree…this is such a bittersweet announcement. I NEED a purpose for my card making, and I just do not have enough people in my life to make cards for! I would love to see a list of reputable charitable organizations that we could send our cards to.