P. Kelly Smith
Welcome to Freebie Friday! Did you know that tomorrow is Armed Forces Day? Since I hail from a military family, I felt like it was my duty to do some research on this special holiday. Did you know…
Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to celebrate the unification of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force) under one department — the Department of Defense. And just like the first Armed Forces Day on May 20, 1950, the goal remains the same: to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.
These are the people in my life I’d like to honor and acknowledge:
Click on the image for a larger view.
From left to right: My grandfather, Robert H. Smith, was just 17 years old when he joined the Navy in WWII. My other grandfather, William A. Smith, was a major in the Army and served in both Korea and Vietnam. My father, Jeffrey A. Smith, was in the Air Force for 13 years and then flew for the Navy for 7 years. My grandmother, Norma S. Smith, was a U.S.O. performer during WWII, and to this day, this 89-year-old still enjoys dressing up and singing to crowds.
I’m sure each of you know someone who has served or is currently serving in the military. Even if you don’t have a direct connection, there’s never a bad time to show your appreciation and support. In Susan’s post yesterday, many of you said that you’re a collector of handmade cards, but you rarely give them away. I confess, I’m also a card hoarder. But I also enjoy giving them away, especially when I know the’yre going to a good cause, like a charity.
Have you heard of Operation Write Home? We partnered with them for our Creativity Heals campaign this year. Their mission is to support our nation’s armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. As of May 11, 413,112 cards have been sent to deployed heroes! Blog reader Linda Beyer left this comment yesterday:
“I was the person who sent our club’s cards to the military. Then our contacts came home. Then we gradually stopped sending them. I know for a fact how great it made me feel when I would get a thank you card from a soldier. One time I got a thank you note on a card I had made! I had a good cry because he said this was the only way he had to write home. Now that I know about Operation Write Home, I will be sending more cards to the military.”
Thanks for sharing your story, Linda! If you’d like to send some patriotic cards to Operation Write Home, here’s some inspiration from our book, A Card a Day:
Our own Susan R. Opel created this Starry Stripes Card (p.70) and I love the poignant sentiment in Alli Miles' Freedom Card (p.127).
And just to clarify, your cards don’t have to be patriotic-themed. Operation Write Home needs cards for all occasions, including birthday, hello, thank you, love, miss you, etc. The standard A2 size (4.25″ x 5.5″) is preferred and please don’t add glitter to your cards – this can make soldiers visible at night.
To aid in your quest to donate more cards to friends, family and charities, I’ve got three great prize packages, courtesy of Die Cuts With a View! Leave a comment telling me the best reaction you got from giving away one of your handmade cards. I’ll pick three winners to receive a Die Cuts With a View Stack, some coordinating stickers and box of blank cards (A2 size!). All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, April 16.
Three lucky winners will each take home one of these DCWV prize packages!
Happy Armed Forces Day!
Kelly
P.S. If you happen to be in the Pulaski, TN area on Saturday, May 15, Operation Write Home is sponsoring a Free Craft/Cardmaker Day at the Pulaski Recreation Center. Click HERE for more information!
P.P.S. It’s time to announce the two winners from Brandy’s Pure Bliss post!
1. Maria Matter (May 11, 4:45 p.m.)
2. Queen Mary (May 11, 8:29 p.m.)
Congrats, ladies! You’ve each won a copy of Quiltmaker’s new special issue, Small Quilts! I’ll be contacting you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!
The best reaction I ever got was the fact that my dad, who is NOT one to keep things kept a card I made him on his desk for years – it is still there. I nearly want to cry when I see it sitting there b/c my feeble attempts at cardmaking were so pitiful, yet it clearly meant (means) a lot to him.
The best reactions I get from my homemade cards are from my great nieces and nephew—they save every single one and put them in a special drawer! If the mail is late arriving for their birthdays they have their mom call to make sure I didn’t forget. It makes me feel as if they really appreciate the work I have done. This led me to the Operation Write Home effort, thinking of all those kids who would love to get a handmade card from their Mom or Dad who is deployed.
I handmade my daughter’s birth annoucement card (about 30 of them). When I meet up with a girlfriend sometime later she said “The card is gorgeous. Where do you get the time to make these with the new baby around. My daugther want to learn how to make it too!”. I have to tell her that most part of the cards were made before the baby was born. I only have to add in the details like photos and baby’ name, brithdate, weight and lenght after. And yes, her daughter is most welcome to make cards with me.
My best friend of 33 years is undergoing Stage 3 breast cancer treatment; she lives in Australia and me in the USA. We have never met IRL. We have been writing, emailing, telephoning and exchanging b-day and Christmas presents since 1977. When Ruth told me that she had cancer, I felt like I had it, too. I have been sending her cards of encouragement during her treatments. These cards have gotten her through some rough times while she undergone 1 1/2 yrs of chemo. She will finished chemo in July 2010. We have been counting down the treatments together. She is my hero. She inspires me. She has saved everyone of my cards.
with a son in Afghanistan I applaud all who support Operation Write Home. God Bless all our Service men and women
I love it watching people for their reactions when they open a card–the best reaction is when they smile!
The best reaction I got from cards I made were my own. When my MIL passed away we were cleaning out drawers and I found everyone card I ever made her. It made me wish I could make her more.
I always appreciate the true THANKS that come from someone who realizes the work put into the card.
My best responses aren’t really from the people who I give them to. It is from my quality control operator, my hubby. When I hear “THAT’s AWESOME” I know I made an exceptionally good one.
The best comment I keep getting is when I send cards to the kids in college that room with my daughter. I also send to her friends at other colleges .. .so sad when the children – away from home – do not get cards. They are genuinely appreciative and a simple “Thank you Mrs. Greene I loved the card” Makes me keep doing it!
I love DCWV !!!
When someone picks up the phone and calls to tell me they just opened one of my cards and they just had to thank me personally, I know it was truly appreciated. My reaching out to them caused them to reach back. What a great chain reaction of love a homemade card can be!
My most unforgettable reaction from the receiver was when she said the card was beautiful and special and loving it.
I have two quick stories to share. The first came from a co-worker who oened a card from me and her first response was, “Oh, you didn’t make this one!” She was right. I had too much going on and decided to just buy her a card instead of making one. But my favorite response if from a very good neighbor, she likes my cards so much she actually calls and puts orders in (I need 4 graduation cards, do you have time to make some? lol)
I have never hand delivered one of my cards but my mom takes my cards for her friends and they are all amazed that I made them!!!
Blessings,
Christine
I always love the reaction of my DH when I give him a card….he almost always says “you made this? you’re so clever!” he is so sweet!! One of the girls that works for us asked me to make her a mother’s day card for her mother….and her mother called up to thank me, and to tell me that the girl on her card looked just like her Bethany!! I was tickled that she noticed!
the best comment I’ve received (or most treasured, anyway) was from my daughter this year- for her birthday card (5yo)- she wouldn’t let me put it away with her other cards- she told me she loved it so much she wanted to keep it in her room so she could see it everyday! She’s so sweet!
I made a thank you card for a friend. She was so appreciative, she called me right away to tell me how much she loved it. She’s crafty herself, and does not receive a lot of handmade cards. I was just happy to share it with her, I knew she’d like it!! She made my day.
Last year I sent blank Valentine cards over to our troops along with 60 boxes of treats and necessities for them. I did the valentine cards so that they could be used for other family members or even an anniversary. Prior to that we did a huge drive and sent thousands. I am just happy if I have surprised someone who receives a card and makes their day a little brighter. I loved reading your story!
I love sending handmade cards out to friends and family because it inspires them to send cards out to their friends and family. Everyone could always use a little encouragement or just a little “hi!”
The best response I ever had was I made a Thank You card and some cookies for my husband’s work to thank them for the gifts to my son who was hospitalized. One of his coworkers actually called me to thank me personally for a handmade thank you card. I really thought it was kind of funny to get a thank you phone call for a thank you card.
I only give my handmade cards to my family and friends who appreciate them. The best compliment I ever received was when a dear friend told me she saves every card and calendar I’ve ever given her and has a special box labeled “Victoria’s Creations.” I feel so happy knowing my creations are treasured and that they bring others so much pleasure.
Oh I love giving hand made cards – everyone is always amazed when you make something
I always give handmade cards and even my 4 yr.old grandnephew pays extra attention to them.
My Aunt Gwen cried when she opened and read my last card to her. Crying is a good thing in my family. We cry when we are very happy. so this was a good thing.
My cousin told me that recieving my cards is the hilight of her day. My Grandpa also shows off my cards to everyone that goes to his house.
I know my handmade cards are appreciated because they are now expected and kept. I almost missed one nieces birthday so I bought her card. She thanked me but asked that I make her one as well.
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My best reaction is when I found out that my grandsons teacheer took a thank you card that I sent and framed it for her desk. I thought that was so sweet. Thank you teachers for always doing such a wonderful job. It is one of the most difficult ones to do I believe.
I loved it when my son in law told me he took his card to work that I made him for his birthday and showed it off to his employees. How funny is that. I was thrilled needless to say
The best reaction I have gotten is when I gave my grandmother a box of cards that were handmade for Christmas. She looked at every single one of them in the box. Also, when I handmade a card for my boyfriend. He admired all of the textures and different embellishments I used, asking me what they were called and wanting to actually “know” how I made it. It made me feel good that he actually cared.
the best reaction was, “you made this for me? no one’s ever made a card for me!” that is the best feeling knowing that they will keep the card forever! or at least for a long time!
One of the best reactions I got was from my sister – in – law who was in the hospital after open heart surgery. She was so thankful that I had handmade her a card. She displayed it for all the nurses and everyone to see. It was really nice having someone appreciate the work involved. It is now on her refrigerator at her home.
After my cousin Jerri lost her Mom, my Aunt I started to send her cards each week. I wanted her to know that she still had family who loved and thought of her during this hard time. There is about ten years between us and a few states. Sending her cards did bring her much comfort. I talked to her on the phone a few weeks ago. She told me how much she love my cards and that she kept them all in a book. When she feel down and alone she brings it out to find love and a feeling of knowing she still has family.
I am so happy to know some cards made with love can give her great comfort.
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
I’ve been around for quite a lot of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work!
Thumbs up, and keep it going!
Cheers
Christian, iwspo.net
Thank you. Awesome website you got here. Have some more websites to link to which have a bit more information?