A Little Piece of Art Stampers

Cards for the Troops

Hi Everyone,

I have just about a week until we need to have cards for the troops done!  We are a bit behind, so I really need your help.  For those of you who don't know, I am, with the help of my customers, working on making 2500 cards to be sent with the Iowa's Bravest Holiday Boxes.  There are 500 boxes being sent to soldiers from Iowa serving overseas.  I believe the bulk are currently in Afghanistan.  If you are able to help out with either monitary donations, or stamping cards or writing in them, I would greatly appreaciate your help! 

Currently, I have about 792 cards made and have recieved $110 in donations.  That leaves just over 1700 cards to be made.  I estimate the cost of this project will be well over $800, and while I am happy to donate the better part of this amount, I really need some help defraying the cost.  I am NOT profiting on this cause--the dollars donated will purchase adhesive, cardstock, ribbon, and envelopes plus the star brads on my "hero" cards--at my cost--not at ANY profit.  I just wanted to make sure you know that up front! 

I am very passionate about sharing a small piece of appreciation to the brave Men and Women serving in our military, protecting each of us and our families.  Please consider helping me make this project complete with your donation of time and funds.  Even the smallest donation makes a difference and is very much appreciated!  I can't tell you how much your support of this project means to me!  My dear friend's Son, John is currently serving as well as one of my recruit's son.  I am so proud to know these two fine young men and am honored that they are working so hard to protect our country!

So, here is a little visual to show you our progress and I'll keep updating things as we get closer to the deadline, Tuesday, November 9th.

 

Check out a great article...

The Courier came out and did a really nice article on me for my work on making cards for the troops--how cool!!

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/12/15/news/metro/f8cf2108efcfff45862573b2001c5b36.txt

You can see it here!!

Also, the article had a picture of me in it--a HUGE thank you to Deb who helped me get my stamp room in tip-top shape for the Courier to come in and actually take pictures!! :)

Now...to finish those cards!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!

Cards for the Troops Update

I thought I would update you on my cards for the troops project--and the upcoming stuff that is going on:

I delivered just about 1000 cards to Iowa's Bravest to be included in their holiday boxes.  The soldiers have already recieved the boxes and we've already had wonderful comments from them (see below) I've also included pictures of the cards we sent at the bottom of this post.

The cards we made for these boxes, while a small contribution have such a wonderful impact--thanks so much to each of you who have donated your time, stamping, writing in cards, and certainly your supplies!! 

When I delivered the boxes to Julie (the Iowa's Bravest coordinator), she said she had a bunch of domestic calling cards (that obviously wouldn't work abroad) so she wanted to send Christmas cards to the soldiers that are wounded so they could call home over the holidays...and she was going to BUY Store cards...I certainly couldn't have stood for that, so I volunteered to give her cards (oh, and to write in them)...so I have most all the cards done--I just need to finish writing in them (and I need another 500 envelopes)...so if you could help, that would be great.  I am planning on working on them Saturday, so if you would like to join me to help, please stop by from 10am-1pm!

Also, the Courier came out and took pictures and are doing a story on my little project (should be in the paper between today and Sunday--I'll let you know when there is more info!!).

One more thing--there has been an e-mail circulating that if you want to address one more of your own christmas cards and mail it to "A Wounded Soldier" c/o Walter Reed hospital that it will be delivered--that is FALSE...they will not deliver anything that is not addressed to a specific individual--that is why I am working with Iowa's Bravest to make sure the cards we send go to specific people.  Julie has a contact at the hospital who can help us out!!

Hope you enjoy reading the responses below...it is so nice to hear their thanks, and that our contribution makes a difference in their lives (I only included a fraction of all the comments).

November 15, 2007

Dear

Iowa

's Bravest Team:

My name is Major Steve Boesen, son of Kay Boesen of

Waterloo

, currently serving on my deployment, this time to

Afghanistan

as a combat advisor to the Afghan National Army (ANA). I am an Active, Guard and Reserve (AGR) officer in the Iowa Army National Guard and deployed here with three combat advisor teams from

Iowa

. I have been here over 6 months and serve in the

Khowst

 

Province

along the

Pakistan

border in eastern

Afghanistan

.

I want to take a minute to thank you for all you have done, not only for Iowa Soldiers, but our other Soldiers in the US Army. As someone serving over here, I can tell you the support we have gotten and continue to get from the American people is a tremendous combat multipler. Soldiers generally serve in very austere conditions, often disconnected from home and getting care packages makes a world of difference to us. It is good to know that we are not forgotten, though we are all very proud to serve and protect this great Nation.

On behalf of our Soldiers over here, I am humbled by your efforts to support us. Keep up the great work!

V/r,
MAJ Steve Boesen
Team Chief, 3-1-203rd Corps ETT
PUMA 6

23 November 2007

My name is Mathew Gore, and I'm serving with D Co, 1-168 Infantry in

Baghdad

. I just wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You" on behalf of all the soldiers who received care packages from your group. There wasn't a single one of us who didn't feel humbled at such a show of support and caring. If it wasn't for people back home standing behind us, none of us would be able to do this job. So please extend our heart-felt thanks to your members and volunteers.

Sincerely,
Mathew Gore
D Co, 1-168 Inf
Baghdad,

Iraq

26 November 2007

Hello,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for sending the care package it makes being here just a little nicer during the holiday season.  I’m sending a Pictures from our Huey squadron.  We are here teaching the Iraq Air Force to fly helicopters and stand up four different helicopter Squadrons.  The

Iowa

guys are mostly teaching

Bell

206 civilian helicopters, which is doing all the initial entry flying.  Thank you from all of us, we shared some of the food with the Iraq Air Force pilots here. They seem so happy when you share candy with them.  It gives both of us a chance to understand our cultures. Thanks CW3 James Pingel

This is what 1000 cards looks like (not including the envelopes we also included!! :)

Cards for the Troops Update

Hi all,

I am really excited about the help I am getting from you all!!  We are well on our way to getting all the stuff we need to make our projects!  Thanks so much to those of you who have contributed money and supplies to the project!! 

For those of you who would still like to help, I am still in need of the following:

Real Red, Ballet Blue, Tempting Turqoise, Old Olive cardstock

White, turquoise, red ribbon

Adhesive....lots of adhesive

Many have asked if this stuff has to be Stampin Up and of course--no would be the answer!!  What I would appreciate is something that is similar so that it will match things.  If you would like to donate any of this stuff by having me order it, that is fine--and again--ALL my profits will go to the Iowa's Bravest fund.  I will also be donating all my profits from October 4th-October 8th to the Iowa's Bravest.

Others have asked if they can donate cards they have made, and the answer is yes--of course!!  They can be cards like Birthday (for husbands, for wives, for kids), anniversary cards, thinking of you, etc. 

I still need lots of help stamping on Thursday (9-9) and Saturday(9-1).  NO experience is necessary so bring a friend to help!!   As well as people to write into the cards that we will give to the individual soldiers thanking them for their service.  I will have some examples of things to write, if you are not sure what to do!!

Thanks again, so much, for your support of this project!!  I am really excited to have the opportunity to make a difference and appreciate your help!  I am hoping to also continue this with Cards for the Returning troops--let's make sure they know that we appreciate their service even after they return home!

Hope you all have a great day...watch for some card samples to be posted shortly!

Help our Troops!!

Please join me to help support our troops!!!  I have just sent the following letter to everyone on my e-mail list and hope you will take the time to read it!!  Please join me in supporting our troops and making a difference for the people in our community that are protecting our freedom!!  Please contact me on how you can help!! 319-553-0066 or drekow@yahoo.com

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

drekow@yahoo.com

www.drekow.typepad.com