As many of you know, I started Caring Hearts Card Drive back in 2009 with the goal of sending out holiday card to the elderly that lives in nursing homes to let them know that they still matter & not forgotten.
Throughout the year, the card drives grow so much thanks to the support of generous card makers all over the world. I am proud and grateful that I was able to do it for 10 years in a row.
As usual, around this time of the year, I started getting quite a few emails asking if I am hosting it again this year. This card drive is my labor of love and a cause that's really close to my heart as I dedicated it to my mom. After long thoughts and consideration, I have decided not to host it for this year. I need to take a break as I want to focus on my family time. This is not a decision that I make lightly. I don't want to disappoint the people that expecting our cards every year.
However, I am delighted to share that Ron Tyson from Bring Smiles to Seniors organization have contacted me and offer to take over and continue the effort. And, the good thing about Ron's organization, they have dedicated team of volunteers and they send the cards all throughout the year. Not just on holidays. So, you can send in your thinking of you cards or any extra cards you have to them any time. Yay!!
Please note though, Bring Smiles To Seniors only sending cards to nursing homes in the US only. For those in Canada and Australia who are interested I encourage you to reach out to your local nursing homes & send cards to them directly. It will brighten their day. No need to wait till the holidays.
Here's a little bit about Bring Smiles to Seniors on their own words.
Bring Smiles to Seniors is in its 5th year of sending cards to senior communities all across the country. We work with schools, civic groups, individuals and companies to make and decorate greeting cards. These cards are then sent to nursing homes, assisted & independent living communities, seniors at home and those participating in elderly nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels.
This year Bring Smiles to Seniors will be sending to our Caring Heart Senior Communities for us (my genuine thank you to Ron for this offer).
This organization is a 501(c)(3) non profit and sends to senior communities all throughout the year. They have sent over 106,000 cards so far in 2020. With seniors in isolation the need is great. They welcome holiday and every day cards, with messages or without, which can be sent to them at
Bring Smiles to Seniors P.O. Box 226 Odessa, FL 33556. You can learn more about them on their website at
www.bringsmilestoseniors.com, on their facebook page at
www.facebook.com/bringsmilestoseniors or on instagram @bringsmilestoseniors. If you have questions you can email them at
info@bringsmilestoseniors.com.
Please feel free to share this info. I am hoping to host the card drive again in 2021. I am not sure. What I am sure is I am grateful for Bring Smiles to Seniors for their commitment & mission. Their offer brings me comfort knowing that the residents of nursing homes will continue to get cards, which I am sure during this current time are needed even more.
Thank you all again for all your support this past 10 years. I hope you will continue sending in your cards by sending them to Bring Smiles to Seniors. Kindness matter and sharing handmade kindness definitely make a difference.