Help our Troops!!

Hi everyone!!  I am SUPER EXCITED to be writing to you today…I have been trying to come up with an idea for using my card-making skills and recruiting my customer base to help give back to our community.  After a few phone calls, I have prepared and set up a project to work with Iowa’s Bravest (http://www.iowasbravest.org/) to donate cards to soldiers serving our country.  While I don’t have a very big personal connection (one of my customers is serving in Germany right now–THANK YOU for your service ANNE!!!) I do know that many of my customer’s loved ones are serving here and abroad. Gwen’s Husband just left for Iraq, and I know several of you have son’s, daughters, husbands, nieces and nephews and so on, serving our country. Please share with me your connection to our Armed Forces with me as I am certain there are many more out there.

October 6th is National Card-Making Day and I wanted to figure out what I could do that would be fun as well as service oriented. I was inspired by two events: Oprah had a show during her last season where she gave $1000 gift card to everyone in the audience and a camera and her challenge was to pay it forward and record what they did.  There were some incredible stories of what people did to grow that money into huge donations to people/organizations that really needed it.  I was amazed!!  Also, there was a story in the news a few weeks ago about a family from CA (I believe) who had lost 2 of their 3 son’s in the war and it really touched me!  I couldn’t imagine what this family was going through–the sorrow I felt for them and the sacrifices they made to our country and I felt now was the time to act.  Whether you agree with our country’s involvement in this war or not, support for our troops and our freedom is paramount!!  I want to help them in some small way–bring a bright day to them through a card of thanks and a gift of cards for their family and I need your help!!

What I want to do is donate 1000 cards–That’s my goal (or more even)  to the Iowa’s Bravest 2007 Holiday Box Drive.  They have sent 1000’s of boxes of donated materials to Iowan soldiers serving in Iraq already and are working on 250 more for the holidays.  I thought it would be very nice to send them cards:  Cards that we write in–sharing our support, thanks and encouragment–and blank cards that they can use to send home to their loved ones.  While I cannot imagine the sacrifices that these men and women are making–I know that we can brighten their day by sharing a little piece of what we love to show our appreciation!!  As these boxes are for the holidays–consider having a son or daughter away during Christmas–a husband or wife–a mom or dad.  Let’s show them how much we at home care about them and appreciate their sacrifice!

Stampin Up’s Statement of the heart (you can find it in the front cover of the catalog) is to LOVE what we do, and SHARE what we love, as we help others enjoy creativitiy and worthwhile accomplishments…in this we make a difference.  SO, I need your help to share what I (and WE) love to do to accomplish this amazing feat!! 

Here is the deal:

Come over Thursday October 4th (8am to 9pm) and Saturday October 6th (9am -1pm).  I will have stations set up for card making and also for writing in the cards.  I need help making cards, assembling cards and writing in them.  I am happy to donate as much of the materials as possible but need your help–stop by and stamp with me!!  I would also appreciate (and love) donations of cardstock, adhesive and envelopes–whether you order them for this project or bring some of your own (white/neutrals cs/envelopes would be the best).  Plus, anything from October 4th through the 8th that you purchase from me, MY ENTIRE PROFIT will go to the Iowa’s Bravest fund.  I would love to donate a big box (or two) of cards and a big check to go with it!!    I will accept any and all donations through October 20th, then everything goes to the Iowa’s Bravest for assembling  the boxes.  You can see more about their project, their needs, and to volunteer putting boxes together at their website–the link is at the top of this e-mail!!  I am also enlisting the help of Stampin Up (our home office) to donate items to help us meet the 1000 card goal.

I have also talked to the Courier, hoping that they will do a story to enlist more help for this project.  PLEASE, PLEASE consider spending some time (anything from 5 minutes to hours will help) to contribute to this cause!!  I appreciate your help and hope you will consider making an effort to support our troops!!  Please forward this e-mail on to others you know to help us out!!  I am going to set up a CATEGORY on my blog (the right hand column) called Cards for Troops where people can find more information.  It will be there this afternoon.

One last thing…as this is an awesome project, why not add just a little more…one of my customers, Sherri, has a husband (he may be retired now) who served in Iraq, and when I contacted her to get more information on how to go about this project, she said that the soldiers from the 133rd that have just returned have a huge transition period ahead of them–and while the signs welcoming them home are down–and though we have not forgotten their service, let’s offer them cards of thanks as well.  I am working on how to find a contact for this (the lady at the Courier is helping me, too) and let’s make sure they are continuing to know that we are so grateful for their help!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this long e-mail.  Please consider helping me accomplish this task, and share with others so they can help us, too!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have or how you can help!!  Hope to see you next week!!

With sincere thanks,

Dena Rekow

Stampin Up Demonstrator

553-0066