Saturday, December 10, 2016

Caring Hearts 2016 Result & Prize Winners

Phew.... It's been a whirlwind few weeks for all of us at Caring Hearts. This year, we have AMAZING turn out for the card drive that truly humble me. 

Here's some of the facts from this year:

- Last year, for US, Canada and Australia we received slightly over 22,000. This year, that amount is what I received just at my end! Total we received close to 64,000 cards!! Yes, we almost triple what we got from previous year. 

- We received cards from 21 countries, including Brunei, Serbia, Slovenia, Hongkong, Luxembourg, Japan, Slovakia, Greece, Germany, Italy, France, etc.

- We have 1345 contributors with many of them sending 100 plus cards. One person sent 799 cards, another sent 600, another 501. All I can say, THANK YOU! You all are amazing. Whether you sent 1 or 10 or 100, they all count and they all part of what make this card drive successful.

- We mailed the card packages to about 300 nursing homes and some elderly that are home bound and lives by themselves.

- Huge result also means huge shipping cost. I want to thank Simon Says Stamp and Wplus9 for stepping in and donating fund that really helped us in covering the shipping cost. Thank you to Heidi & Dawn for your support & generosity. What you did helped us so much!!

I am so proud of the way this card drive has grown. First year in 2010, we received 750 and look at where we are now. And, it's all because of YOU! Your support and generosity are what make it so successful. 

Now, what many been waiting for. The winners for Caring Hearts prizes! For all the winners, I'll be emailing all of you this weekend. As you can see the list is pretty long, so please bear with me. :)

CARING HEARTS GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Amy Lee's package of stamps & dies from MFT, Ellen Hutson & Mama Elephant : Colleen Passe

Gina K: $200 GC - Gail Silva

Jennifer McGuire Ink: $100 in craft supplies - 
Janet Portillo

Maymay Made It: $100 GC - Kelli Green

Mommy Lhey: $100 GC - 
Tiffany Au 

Online Card Classes: $100 GC - Helen Finlay


Simon Says Stamp: $150 GC - Lynda Pleckan

Stamp-n-storage $100 GC - Lon Tomokiyo 

Waffle Flower: $100 GC - Sandy VanBiezen
Altenew: $50 GC - Joy Ott

A Jillian Vance Design: $20 GC - Sue Craig

Avery Elle: $30 GC - Kim Conley

Birch Press: $25 GC - Karen Edmonds

Bossy Joscie: $40 GC - Kristie Maynard

Butterfly Reflections Inc: $25 GC - Jill Boteler

Concord & 9th: $25 GC - Barbara Haan

Crafter's Companion US: $25 GC - Allie Gower

Crafter's Companion UK: £25 GC - Stefanie Borms

Ellen Hutson: $50 GC - Kerryn Murnain

Hallmark Scrapbook & Crafts: TWO $50 GC - Kathy Blaney-Murphy & Jennifer Moyer

Hero Arts: THREE $50 GC - Karin Hoag, Debbie Minton & Donna Gourley 

Jane’s Doodles: $50 GC - Mary Guikema

Honey Bee Stamps: $50 GC - Kathy Nelson

Lawn Fawn: $50 GC - Marjon Fokkens-Bruinoma

Lucys Cards: £25 worth of products - Stefanie Hanuschik

Mama Elephant: $25 GC - Lynn Wuest

My Favorite Things: $50 GC - Sandy Christman

Neat and Tangled: $50 GC - Melissa Pearson

Organize More: $75 GC - Theresa French

Paper Smooches: $25 GC - Sheila Langeslay

Pink & Main: $30 GC - Maggie Baxter

Pretty Pink Posh: $30 GC - Stephanie Meade 

Reverse Confetti: $50 GC - Michelle Lupton

Right At Home: $20 GC - Glenis Stuart

Scrapbook & Cards Today: one year subscription – BVHS Students

Spectrum Noir: One tin of Coloured Blend Color Pencil - Norma Canete

SugarPea Designs: $50 GC - Bettina Kreuer

Sunny Studios: $25 GC - Ruth Gauss

Sweet Stamp Shop: TWO $25 GC - Jerneja Bozic & Tammy Folaron

Taylored Expression: $50 GC - Carla E Maclafferty

The Ton: $25 GC - Enna Adams

Verve Stamps: $30 GC - Gloria Borschowa

WOW Embossing Powders: $30 GC - Brenda Gentry

Your Next Stamp: $50 GC - Cheryl McMahan

Newstons Nook Designs: $25 GC - Naneyn Mitchell

CardMaker magazine: 1 year subscription - Sherry Danielson

Sweet Stamp Digis: $25 GC - Michelle Thao

Cut Cardstock: $50 GC - Linda Grant

Studio Katia: Canada $35 GC - Trina Pham

Paper Tempress: TWO $25 GC - Vicki Gersey & Beverly Pevarnick

Update: All winner already  been notified & prize send directly from the prize sponsor.

Again, from all of us at Caring Hearts, thank you for your contribution & support. Bringing Christmas joy and sharing kindness are the heart of our card drive. And, whether you know it or not, your contribution made a difference. Like someone said to me, we don't know how many people's life we touch with our cards. No act of kindness is too little. Let being KIND be part of our daily life, not only at Christmas, but all through the year. God bless you all.

37 comments:

Anna Tracy said...

Thank you for doing all you do in heading this up!!!

Michelle Lupton said...

Such a lovely surprise to be a winner - thanks so much to you, Vera, to your international team of helpers, and thank you to all of the sponsors. So lovely to be able to spread some Christmas cheer 😄

Cindy C. said...

Awesome news!! Congrats for making this heart warming event a huge success! Congrats to all the lucky winners! Thank you to all the sponsors!! Have a wonderful holiday everyone!!

girl with a curl said...

WOW that's a huge amount of cards! Thank you for making this happen and inspiring us. A huge congratulations to the winners and a massive thank you to all those generous sponsors. Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and New Year and hoping it's filled with good health and happiness. Have a most wonderful day. Cheers Donna Z :) Australia xxxx

Enigma Artist said...

Congrats to all of the winners! My mom passed away this year. She was 89 and still living independently! When I discovered this card drive, I just knew I wanted to participate. It touched that spot in my heart. A huge thank you to the sponsors, the coordinators and the participants for supporting such a noble effort. May you all have peace, love and blessings in the New Year. Sincerely, Beverly/EnigmaArtist

Cheryl L. said...

Congrats to all the winners! Thanks to you and all the sponsors for running a meaningful drive to bring cheer during the holidays! It was great to have a reason to get started on holiday cards early!

Bunny said...

Great job by all involved.Congratulations, winners.

Unknown said...

I am thrilled to be a winner!!! I was so happy to participate in this card drive. Like many others, I have had family in long-term care facilities. It is heartbreaking to see so many alone at Christmas. I pray that my cards will bring a smile to some faces. I'm already looking forward to starting earlier and sending in more cards next year.

Vera, thank you for the what must have been countless hours organizing.

Jennifer McGuire, thank you for using your extensive network of followers and fans to spread the word about this campaign.

The two of you, and all of the contributors are making the world a kinder place!

Laura Peddicord said...

Thank you so much Vera for all of your hard work, time, and dedication to Caring Hearts. It obviously was a success with the participation of so many card makers and the results! Those cards will be putting a smile into the hearts of so many people who receive one of them this holiday season. Even if someone was unable to make cards, you still reminded them that there are so many in nursing homes and homebound who need to know that someone, somewhere, was thinking of them. Thank you so much!

Congratulations to all the winners! I hope some of you will share what you end up buying and/or making with your prizes! I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to see how you used your prize.

Unknown said...

Wow, what a fabulous drive - well done to everyone involved! And I'm so excited to be a winner too. Thank you to the sponsors too.

Melissakay143 said...

Hello.... I've been working all weekend and I didn't see an email. A friend pointed out to me that I had won....! However the last name is spelled "pearsen" instead of "pearson" is this me or oddly someone else?

Kristie Maynard said...

Thanks for all you do. These cards really do make a difference.

Beverly said...

64,000? That is amazing!!! Loved being a part of something so special!

terrie said...

What an awesome card amount...so glad I was part of it and looking forward to next year...
Congrats to all of the winners...enjoy your prizes.

Thank you to those who worked behind the scene...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mon said...

Oh my goodness! So many cards!! Thank you thank you thank you for putting this together. This was my first year, and I enjoyed being a part. What a gift you have given! Merry Christmas to you! Congrats to all the winners!!

Ruth G said...

I'm so happy to know that so many in nursing homes with be receiving a handmade card this Christmas! Thank you so much for coordinating this program! I love making cards for this and might even try and start a little earlier for next year!

A very Merry Christmas to you, Vera, and all of your little elves who helped to get these cards delivered!

Congratulations to the winners! I'm so excited to have won a crafty goody and appreciate all the fabulous sponsors!

Terrie D. (StarSpry) said...

What an amazing turn out for the cards this year! That's wonderful :) Congratulations to all the winners! Merry Christmas.

WorldPeace62 said...

How exciting to be a part of something so special and huge! Thanks to Vera & Jennifer for all your hard work on this project, may you both have a blessed holiday season.

Pam F

Mary-Anne V said...

Wow awesome resuts for totals....so happy for the chance to be part of this caring community. Thank you for all you did before and during this drive. Thanks also to SSS an WPlus9 for their support. Christmas just got merrier!

Marianne said...

Wow, what an amazing result! I'm happy and proud to have made a modest contribution to spreading a little cheer and some kindness among the elderly. Thank you, Vera, and the other volunteers, for all the time and efforts you put into this event. And thanks also to all the sponsors. Congrats to the winners. Merry Christmas to all!
Marianne in Greece :-)

A. Rose said...

Congrats to all the winners, but more important hurray for all us donors!!! I think I may start now for next year!!!

stampfoldandrepeat (Jeanie) said...

Thanks for all that you do in organizing this card drive. Thank you SSS and WPlus9 for helping with the shipping cost - that would really add up with so many cards! Hopefully this card drive will continue year after year! It's a very meaningful cause.

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
LauraJane:) said...

WOWZERS that's a LOT of cards!! Congratulations on a BOOMing card drive:)) Thank you for all you do to make this happen Vera!

Chark said...

what an amazing feat!

Tracie Pond said...

Great job everyone!!

Unknown said...

It was a privilege and a pleasure to contribute to your annual Christmas card drive, I will continue as long as I am able. I think I will start working on cards now so I may send even more to spread the joy and love of the season that I enjoy to others who may not be as fortunate as I am. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, kindness and compassion, it was stunning to realize how many wonderful caring people there are in our world.

Barbara said...

Congrats to all the winners!

Renee V said...

Wow someone sent 799 cards!!!!!!!!!! My goodness! Congrats to all involved, I missed it again but not giving up hope on next year!!

Carol Henderson said...

I am a elderly person with no family so I know how important and caring this drive is. This is one of my two favorite charity events I participate in and I know how much joy it brings to the recipients. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make this event a success.

Unknown said...

Congratulations and thank you to all who participated and helped to making this drive a successful one. I can hardly wait to send cards next year. Again, thanks and congratulations to all.

Linda Lim said...

Congrats! Well done to you, the coordinators, the sponsors and all the contributors. God bless.

Unknown said...

Wow, someone made 799 cards? I'll bet they are sick and tired of making cards by now! LOL I can't believe how many cards were made and how many people got cards. I wish I could have been there to see the expressions on the people who received our cards. I know there are a lot of people who don't have family due to death or other reasons and the holidays can be hard for them. I was glad to be able to send the cards that I made.
Would you believe I am still making Christmas cards? My dad fell outside his doctors on a rainy, windy day in Nov. and spent some time in a nursing home because he fractured his collar bone. He came home the Thurs. before Christmas and ended up in the hospital not to long after. He had a touch of pneumonia and a horrible cough and was throwing up. I've been so busy with him that I haven't finished all my cards! I'm working on it though.

Andrea D. La Vigne said...

WOW--that's an amazing number of cards!!! Glad I was able to send in at least what I did. Nowhere near what some sent, but like you said, every card counts. Thanks for the update. I just saw it linked over on Jennifer McGuire's blog, so had to come over and see better. Thanks for all you do with this!!! :) ~ Andrea

MaggieM said...

Carol,

We are All family. God bless you for participating in this event. It is my first year.

Rhonda J said...

That is just amazing! While I didn't have my cards completed in time to mail to the Caring Hearts Campaign this year, I was so inspired that I created 40 cards for my Mother-In-Law to take to the nursing home where my Father-In-Law had lived. When we delivered them the staff were not only glad to see her, but excited to distribute the cards to residents that receive little to no mail or visitation. Thank you for the inspiration! God Bless and Happy New Year!

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Carol, you have us your craft family. If you see this, can you please email me your mailing address. 😊

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