WOW. I had to take a “minute” to catch my breath from the spectacular 2023 Winter Holiday Card Challenge but I am back and ready for the 2024 journey ahead
We sent out close to 245,000 cards just for the Winter Holidays and as many of you know, we sent out our ONE MILLIONTH CARD! It was such an exciting moment and it was truly a #ITTAKESAVILLAGE moment! THe card was sent to a young man who was stationed in the Middle East. In the box of 1,000 cards that we sent to his Unit, we included a special Snowman box with his bundle of ten cards (remember that we bundle the cards in 10). The cards were from you all from across the USA and that tenth card, that ONE MILLIONTH card came from the White House, the Commander in CHief, President Biden and the First Lady, Dr Jill Biden. Imagine being that young man and his Unit opening up that box. We did hear from him and they were all honored and excited, knowing also that their Brothers and Sisters in Uniform, Veterans, and MIlitary Families also received your cards of cheer!
An “army” of Volunteers proof read, counted and bundled all of the cards, your cards being the best ever! THey once again came from all over the Country, Canada, and Europe! It was glorious to spend time with business groups, civic groups, schools…large and small and also to travel a bit to meet with those who joined in like the YAHOO Valor Partners at their Global Summit. The donation-partnerships covered the costs-and there are many as you might imagine- of shipping and preparing and organizing the Card Challenge. Fundraising is a necessary part of this journey and the generosity of so many is central to making this possible. The USPS Office in Hollis, NH once again opened up hours early on many a Saturday and made the mailing magic happen. THere is still something very magical about arriving before sunrise and watching the sunrise outside the Post OFfice window over the farm fields in Hollis
The QR codes are like magic as they lead to us seeing many smiling faces of our Warriors holding up your cards. THere was THE story of a USAF who received a card from a Korean War Veteran , both from the same small town of 5500. They had not know eachother but we can all look forward to them meeting when she comes home
We loved the amazing media coverage, from TV to radio to print to internet!!
It was also so exciting to get almost every US Presidential Candidate who came to NH to sign cards!
And then there was and is the Card Central SHE-Shed being built by the VFW 11373, a community wide effort of generosity of time, materials, labor….This gift of the hearts from Veterans and civilians alike is so heartwarming and it will be a permanent part of the Card CHallenge for years and years to come!
All of this excitement is spectacular! CHeck out Facebook and Instagram pages: Holiday Card CHallenge and LinkedIn pages: Dr Laura Landerman-Garber as well as Holiday Cards 4 Our Military CHallenge
NOW……. 2024
THe latest goings-on…..
Writing thank you notes…Exploring grant opportunities…networking with the amazing nonprofits that dedicate themselves to all things MIlitary…collaborating with like-minded and like-hearted groups…lending a hand to local nonprofits…so much more….
AND ONTO VALENTINES DAY MINI-CHALLENGE! I call it a mini-challenge as the scale is smaller but the heart is just as big!
Deadline 2/5/24
Send to Holiday Card CHallenge 5 Hutchings Drive SUite 100 Unit 103 Hollis, NH 03049
NO ENVELOPES please with cards
Dear Warrior, Happy Valentines Day. Share some of your Valentines stories and traditions. Drawings, poems, jokes. Share some hometown news about yourself like hobbies, sports, fav books and classes and work. Share if you lie a hx of military in your family Sign your first name ONLY City and State If you would like to share your business, school or group name, that is great
We love ideas and suggestions. We love feedback, the good the bad ….
20 years in 2023. ONE MILLION cards in 2023. WHAT MAGIC WILL HAPPEN IN 2024?
Keep in touch!!
Holidaycardsnh@gmail.com
