Holiday Card Project

Oh, wow.  It's working!  

It's really, truly working.

Wow!

Words that instill both joy and fear into the hearts of those who must sort holiday cards: "Drive around to the loading dock."

Who's bright idea was this?  Oh wait, it was mine.

The Plan

This is pretty simple.

We need Christmas and holiday cards for the troops.  50,000 140,000 of them.  (Ack!  When did 50,000 become 140,000.)

Deadline

Hanukkah cards - November 15th

Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's and secular cards - December 1st 

Who Can Participate

Anyone can participate: individuals, veterans' groups, schools, religious groups, civic groups, bunco clubs, bridge clubs, bowling teams, Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, Campfire kids, knitting circles, playgroups...

Angels, download this flier and get people involved!  Or consider joining Project Thank You Notes and working directly with the public.

Where to Get cards

1. You can make your own.  Cards should be no larger than 8.5" x 11" (a standard sheet of paper).  Of course, smaller cards are preferred.  Home-made cards can be designed on your computer, construction paper and glitter, or elaborate scrap-booked stuff.  

2. You can use store-bought Christmas cards.  Dollar stores frequently sell Christmas cards.  

   If you use store-bought cards, do not put the cards in the envelopes.  Rubber band cards and envelopes together.  (We must read and approve all messages.) 

3. You can download the card designs below.  Print out the card, write a message in the rectangle, and send it in.

What to Write

Write whatever you want to write, within reason.  Messages should be upbeat.  Messages cannot be suggestive.  Messages may be as religious or secular as you please.  Some of our troops are devout Christians for whom Christmas is a profoundly religious experience.  Some of our troops think of Christmas as a time for family and friends.  About 10% of our troops are Jewish.  Another 10% express a desire for "other" cards.  Whatever your feelings are, express them.

Send the Cards

Send your cards to:

Lauren Pomerantz
Soldiers' Angels 
Project Thank You Notes
P.O. Box 2339
Montclair, CA  91763

We would prefer to receive cards as soon as possible.  We will begin mailing gifts to the troops in November, and the cards need to be read, put into envelopes, and sorted.  Cards must be received no later than 1 December 2007.

Cards for Downloading

There are nine different designs.  Seven of the designs are in both color and greyscale.  Two are only in greyscale.  

I recommend printing colored cards on white or cream paper and greyscale cards on colored paper.  

These cards are in Adobe Acrobat.  You will need the Adobe Reader to read them.  If you do not have Adobe Reader, click on the link to the right to download and install the reader.

	Religious, Christmas Front: manger scene, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Inside: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
	Semi-Secular, Christmas Front: Santa and reindeer Inside: stack of boxes labeled for Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. MPSA stands for Military Postal Service Agnecy.
	Semi-Secular, Christmas Front: children building a snowman. Inside: "Wishing you all the joys of the holiday season." This card is only available in greyscale.
	Religious, Hanukkah Front: a hand reaches out to light a candle.  "Once again, a nation is set free." Inside: "Wishing you all the blessings of the festival of lights."
	Religious, Hanukkah Front: a menorah crowned by a Star of David, with "Shalom" beneath. Inside: "Wishing you all the blessings of the festival of lights." This card is only available in greyscale.
	Kwanzaa Front: kinara of candles labeled with the Seven Principles. Inside: "Here is hoping that Kwanzaa finds you in the best of health and happiness."
	Secular Front: a soldier hands a flag to a little girl.  "Freedom is the Greatest Gift of All." Inside: A cheering crowd and "Happy Holidays and Thank You from those of us back here on the home front!"
	Secular Front: frozen branch in front of waterfall.  two quotes.  "Every winter is a promise of springtime and new life," in the image and "May the beauty of the season fill your heart with joy.  Inside: "And may the new year bring you safely home."
	Secular Front: ice skating girl in a border of ribbons and party hats. Inside:  "May 2008 bring you health, wealth, happiness, and safely home."
	Secular Front: smiling snowman.  "Let winter put a little smile on your face." Inside: "Best wishes for a happy holiday and a wonderful new year!"

If you have card designs you would like to share, please .  Your graphics must be original or royalty free, or you must have written permission from the artist to include them.