Make cards for troops to send home... there's no Hallmark in Baghdad

Chaplain in Afghanistan with handmade card rack.

It only takes a moment to make a card, but that card might give a long lasting smile to a family member or friend of someone in the military. Deployed troops like to send home cards for all occasions, but it's not always easy because there are no Hallmark stores in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, etc.

Thousands of crafters in every state across America are joining forces to create handmade cards for those deployed far from home, and in return are bringing warmth and smiles to the families and friends of deployed troops.

Sandy Allnock started Cards for Heroes by surprise two years ago when crafters had online discussions on the Two Peas in a Bucket message board about what to do with all the cards they had that they could not find enough occasions to use.  One member on the message board was stationed in Iraq, so they we started sending her cards. Another member provided contact information in Afghanistan, and then another in Korea . . . then contacting Any Soldier produced unlimited contacts for sending batches of cards.

Soldiers in Iraq show off AnyHero mail.

The discussion thread and personal blog posts by Sandy generated increased interest, resulting in thousands of cards being shipped out by Sandy and  her fellow shippers, Fabre Sanders and Kris Allan. A few months later, the card project became more official with the launch of www.cardsforheroes.org.

Cards for Heroes 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.

Sandy, Fabre, and Kris pack and ship cards to troops in 10 countries that are currently requesting cards. The mailroom provides news about current plans for shipping dates, and what kinds of holidays they are working toward at any given time.

August 1, 2009 is the deadline for Back to School cards. Send Back to School cards by August 1 so that deployed heroes have enough time to receive them and write messages to send to their children by the time they start back to school.

Cards for Heroes is always collecting general cards – thank you, birthday, love you, thinking of you, miss you, hello, just because, etc. General cards are always in greatest demand because they are not time sensitive. Troops send cards to husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, and friends, so any of these themes directed to any of these audiences are greatly appreciated.

Avoid sending are any cards with glitter, as it can be a safety hazard. It can flake off the card onto a uniform and make a hero visible to night-vision goggles.

It is also requested that you do not send any suggestive or risqué cards. Funny cards are okay, but keep them positive and upbeat. And avoid sentiments like "congratulations on your new kitten" or "welcome to the neighborhood."

If you use a dark colored cardstock to create your card, insert a piece of lighter color cardstock inside. Heroes may only have a Bic pen or a pencil to write with, so be sure to give them space and surface to write on.

There is no minimum or maximum number of cards that you or your group can donate. Many donors send in just a few (under 10) while some send hundreds. You can make cards to send at your leisure or get a group of friends together to knock out a bunch of cards to send together.

All levels of crafting are welcome. They get a wide variety and range of cards, and mix them together in each box to ensure there's someone to love every card.

If you have a Brownie or Scout Troop that wants to make cards, Cards for Heroes prefers that you have them make AnyHero cards or letters. AnyHero cards and letters are sent to heroes that rarely get mail or to those most in need of encouragement the day the box arrives. AnyHero cards can be store bought. Troops enjoy receiving AnyHero cards and say, "It helps to know that we are remembered!"

Cards for Heroes have shipped more than 162,800 handmade cards to troops so far.

Currently, 9 requestors are waiting for boxes of general cards. If you don't have time to make any today, go through your old swaps and or extra samples and pull out some cards that you can send to Cards for Heroes. It's okay if they have yours or someone else's stamp or sticker on the back. If you can, please put the "www.cardsforheroes.org" URL on the back, so it's one less thing the shipper has to do before packing and sending the box overseas.

Enlist your business, family, friends, or stamping group to join you in making cards to support our heroes. Challenge your family, and friends to make cards for heroes. Together we can help the Chaplains create more homemade Hallmarks for our troops on bases around the world.