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Hi Carolyn - I had a big demonstrator meeting yesterday and asked for donations of Christmas cards. If I get them Express Post tomorrow, can they make it with the rest of them?? Some have envelopes too. They are all Christmas cards if that helps. Please let me know.
JC
I too just stumbled onto this thread. I would love to make and donate some cards. Do you still need some. If so, pm me with your address and I'll get scrappin!
I was looking for a place to send some cards to...and I found you! Could you please pm me your address. I have a shoe box full of cards to send. Is it to late to send Christmas ones? Thanks for doing this!
__________________ Tasha
************************* Chocolate is the answer...who cares what the question is!
I was looking for a place to send some cards to...and I found you! Could you please pm me your address. I have a shoe box full of cards to send. Is it to late to send Christmas ones? Thanks for doing this!
I will PM you right away with my address.
Christmas is cutting it close. My contact is on maternity leave, and I'm waiting for her supervisor to call me so that I know when I can take the cards in. I'm assuming they will want them the end of this week or early next week. Can they be here by then?
Thanks to my friend Gwen, Chinook, TrishG, cookiehead and vanislandwoman, the card total now sits at 9,019. We are so close to hitting the next milestone! That is so exciting to me.
By the way, as I wait to take the cards into the Garrison, I have 7 boxes of cards in my bedroom!!! :p It's looking a little overwhelming.
Christmas is cutting it close. My contact is on maternity leave, and I'm waiting for her supervisor to call me so that I know when I can take the cards in. I'm assuming they will want them the end of this week or early next week. Can they be here by then?
I sent them with DH and he is on route to the PO right now......I hope the cards get there in time!
Thanks for doing this! So good to have such a good cause to create for!!!!
__________________ Tasha
************************* Chocolate is the answer...who cares what the question is!
I'm still waiting to hear from the Edmonton Garrison - my contact is on maternity leave, the person that I need to talk to now is at a conference and it's all new people, so they don't (yet) understand the importance of the cards. I'm hoping to connect with her tomorrow to find out when I can take the cards in and explain it a little more to her.
I've had a bit of a disappointing week. I've been trying to connect with the Edmonton Garrison and I'm not getting a phone call returned. I have phoned 4 or 5 times. Isn't it common courtesy to at least phone back even if you don't know what the project is about? I want to tell them about the project but how can I if they won't phone?
Next disappointment: a friend picked up some cards for me from a lady who donated to this project. In between her getting them and delivering them to me, her van got broken into and the 'thugs' stole the cards! I was devastated when I heard that.
So...anybody got some encouraging words in the midst of this? :(
Oh Carolyn, I am so sorry to hear about your week! Keep up the good work!
Hopefully it is just a case of busy times at the Garrison and they will get back to you soon. I am going to a workshop tonight and I will tell my fellow card makers about your cause and we will see if we can get some more cards sent your way. I wonder why someone would steal homemade cards....are they worth a lot on the open market? Maybe a underground card smuggling ring? lol
It will all get better soon, remember, you are doing a great thing for all those sent overseas!! If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.
Keep your chin up.
__________________ Tasha
************************* Chocolate is the answer...who cares what the question is!
I just heard from my contact at the Garrison. Apparently they have to change the way they send the cards over, due to a change of people in charge of the tour. But she definitely wants the cards! She just has to figure out another way to get them over, not in bulk.
Oh My goodness... Well I am glad that since I read this, that the one problem was solved... But stolen cards??? Wow... I think some one might be a bit disappointed with their loot...
Encouraging words would judt be to remember that what you are doing is AWESOME!!!! And appreciated by everyone!
I am hoping to get a box together in the next few weeks..
In the mean time, have a Happy Thanksgiving Carolyn and all the other fine ladies on this thread!
Diane
__________________ My Avatar is my "dogter" Stella!
Thieves ... I hope they at least use the cards. I can't believe it! I'm sorry that this has been such a hassle for you. Hopefully things get straightened out and the cards get on their way to the troops. Thanks for all you do.
They better use the cards...or feel bad and return them somehow. My friend peeked through the bag and said the cards were beautiful. I'm tempted to write a letter to the editor in that town and say "thanks a lot - you just stole from soliders who sacrifice everyday for your freedom - hope that makes you feel REAL good."
They better use the cards...or feel bad and return them somehow. My friend peeked through the bag and said the cards were beautiful. I'm tempted to write a letter to the editor in that town and say "thanks a lot - you just stole from soliders who sacrifice everyday for your freedom - hope that makes you feel REAL good."
You should do that. Usually small time hoodlums they like to brag about their stupidity and someome will know who the letter is about. Perhaps it will embarass and shame them into returning the cards.
I did better than that (although I think we should still write the letter). It's going to be on Global News Edmonton at 5:00 and 6:00. Hopefully that will help get the word out too.
Watch it if you want a good laugh at my expense! :rolleyes:
Another thing I forgot to mention...
I got the cards to the Edmonton Garrison this morning!
She told me that we should "suspend operations" until she figures out how we're going to get them to the soldiers. She has some ideas, she just wants to get them implemented and working successfully. She doesn't want us to quit, just give her some time. Ottawa has started cracking down on "general freight" going on the planes...our cards are in that category, because they aren't specifcally going with a name attached.
So on that note, please hold onto cards that you're planning on mailing until I hear from her and find out what to do next. I would love to keep taking them, but I just don't have the storage space.
I will keep updating as I get information.
Thanks for all your contributions...I look forward to continuing this project as the military allows.
Saw you on the news Carolyn!!!! Great job!! I never watch the news cause its kinda scary lol .....Let us know when we can send cards again. Thanks for looking after this project, you have done such a great job!
__________________ Tasha
************************* Chocolate is the answer...who cares what the question is!
Saw you on the news Carolyn!!!! Great job!! I never watch the news cause its kinda scary lol .....Let us know when we can send cards again. Thanks for looking after this project, you have done such a great job!
Thanks!
I didn't get to watch it as I was helping a family member move. I did get to see it on their website though.
I will definitely let you all know when cards can start to be sent again.
Another thing I forgot to mention...
I got the cards to the Edmonton Garrison this morning!
She told me that we should "suspend operations" until she figures out how we're going to get them to the soldiers. She has some ideas, she just wants to get them implemented and working successfully. She doesn't want us to quit, just give her some time. Ottawa has started cracking down on "general freight" going on the planes...our cards are in that category, because they aren't specifcally going with a name attached.
So on that note, please hold onto cards that you're planning on mailing until I hear from her and find out what to do next. I would love to keep taking them, but I just don't have the storage space.
I will keep updating as I get information.
Thanks for all your contributions...I look forward to continuing this project as the military allows.
I would suggest that if they won't ship them to the servicemen and women overseas then you can probably check into whether then can be distributed to the military families here in Canada. Don't most bases have an organization for helping military families cope with their members being away?
I would suggest that if they won't ship them to the servicemen and women overseas then you can probably check into whether then can be distributed to the military families here in Canada. Don't most bases have an organization for helping military families cope with their members being away?
Thanks for the suggestion - we'll keep it in mind.
I want to give the deployment coordinator time to implement her ideas - they are great ones and will still get them to the soldiers to send back to their families.
DH just returned from running training exercises for troops at CFB Suffield. The troops were from Britain (they have a squadron at Suffield) so I was thinking maybe the cards could also be used by the troops who come from all over to train at CFB Wainwright and CFB Suffield to send home.
A lot of the french train at CFB Wainwright so if anyone does cards in french they would be a great addition to the collection.
The CIB's (civilians in battle space) won't be going out to run their part of the training exercises again until spring but when those sessions run we could probably save some postage and have DH deliver the cards to who ever if Edmonton won't forward them.
There is a rumor that there may be a quick session that DH would work in Wainwright in November but chances are slim so probably nothing again until April 2010.
DH just returned from running training exercises for troops at CFB Suffield. The troops were from Britain (they have a squadron at Suffield) so I was thinking maybe the cards could also be used by the troops who come from all over to train at CFB Wainwright and CFB Suffield to send home.
A lot of the french train at CFB Wainwright so if anyone does cards in french they would be a great addition to the collection.
The CIB's (civilians in battle space) won't be going out to run their part of the training exercises again until spring but when those sessions run we could probably save some postage and have DH deliver the cards to who ever if Edmonton won't forward them.
There is a rumor that there may be a quick session that DH would work in Wainwright in November but chances are slim so probably nothing again until April 2010.
Kristen
Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been sick for over a week and haven't had energy to get much done beyond regular "life".
I like your idea - it's just I'm not sure how I would get the cards to Suffield or Wainright, and right now I'm cleaned right out - they all went to the Garrison.
This project was started with people wanting to help the military who are overseas connect with family at home. I guess it would be up to "the group" if they want them used more locally, and I don't know how to start new connections with different bases.
All new stuff - not sure if I'm ready to take that on as well.
I was just suggesting the idea in case the cards going to the garrison became stalled for a long period of time but it sounds like things are moving again.
If we wanted to send to Wainwright or Suffield like I said DH could take them when he goes to work on training sessions at either base which is only 4 to 6 times a year between April and October. He could probably find a contact within BATUS (british platoon stationed in Suffield) so those soldiers could send some home and DH could just drop them off when he is down there.
I was just suggesting the idea in case the cards going to the garrison became stalled for a long period of time but it sounds like things are moving again.
If we wanted to send to Wainwright or Suffield like I said DH could take them when he goes to work on training sessions at either base which is only 4 to 6 times a year between April and October. He could probably find a contact within BATUS (british platoon stationed in Suffield) so those soldiers could send some home and DH could just drop them off when he is down there.
Didn't mean to stress you out.
K
No stress! I just wasn't sure how to get them to Wainwright or Suffield since I don't live close to either of those places to meet up with your hubby.
I will definitely keep this in mind closer those April-October times. Let's keep in contact as I keep in contact with the Garrison, okay?
Hello all! I have some wonderful news!! I've been corresponding with punkapod (Kristen) and we think we can make this project a "go" again!
Her hubby is in the military (big thank you to both of them) and they are willing to help us get the cards out to the soldiers.
So...after Christmas I will start collecting cards (with envelopes if possible please, my sources are drying up here). Try to keep the envelopes close to the same size as the cards. Once we know when the cards will need to be sent, we'll start giving you the dates that I need the cards to me. We should be able to do a delivery twice with him in 2010.
There's a stipulation though - they have to be "generic" cards - no specific holidays. So sorry, no Valentines, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, etc. But...here's what you can do: Anniversary, Birthday, Thinking of You, Missing you, Love you, Hello, Smile, Wedding, Sympathy, Thank you...there are still lots of choices.
Let me know when you're ready to send cards and I'll get you my address. If you need more information, feel free to contact me.
This is wonderful news. I appreciate how hard you are working to keep this project going. Please keep us updated and I will start making some cards you want soon.
Thanks everyone! It wouldn't have happened without Punkapod so a big thank you to her as well.
I realized I missed some occasions, so here's how I sort them:
Anniversary
Baby
Birthday
Blank
Congrats
Encouragement
French Sentiment
Friend
Get Well
Hello
Just a ...
Love
Miss You
Proud of You
Smile
Sympathy
Thank You
Thinking of You
Long Verses
Wedding
Hope that helps as you're going through your cards/creating them. I left the specific occasions out that we normally collect but can't anymore.
Just curious why they aren't allowing the specific holiday cards anymore?
It's not that they're not allowing it, it's just hard to get occasion-specific cards to them in a timely manner. The hubby of punkapod is only available to us for a few months in 2010 (and we don't even know for sure which dates).
General cards can be used for specific occasions, if the soldiers so choose, i.e. "thinking of you..." and they write in "on father's day" (or whatever). Let them decide what occasion they want to do, or if they just want to send off a card. I think it's a positive move, just gets us thinking differently on how to do the cards.
Just want to clarify that my hubby is not in the military but part of the group of people who run the training sessions at CFB Wainwright and CFB Suffield.
These training sessions give the soldiers a taste of what they will experience in live combat. The special effects team they have is amazing. When a suicide bomber "goes off" in a village soldiers with come in and find people with very gory realistic wounds, etc. How real you may wonder. How about real enough to have soldiers tossing their cookies in the bushes. Since they started these sessions the injury and mortality rates of soldiers and Afghans have been cut in half.
I will be back on is about an hour to provide some more information.
The reason we have a limit on what kind of cards we can accept for this is because the training sessions that my DH works on only run between late April and early October.
When he is Wainwright he works primarily with the Canadian troops and a lot of them are french speaking so french language cards would be great. When he is in Suffield they can be training either Canadian or British troops. The British are there year round whereas at Wainwright they have visiting troops like the US that come up for short sessions.
If the opportunity presents itself I would like to know if anyone would have a problem with some cards being donated to the British troops (BATUS) at Suffield when DH delivers to the Canadians. They've left families across the pond to train here and would probably really appreciate the thought.
If anyone has any questions about these sessions I am happy to answer them. I am very proud of the work my DH does and he is very excited to be our courier next year.
