Vote for Operation Write Home

Last week I was nagging readers to vote in the mid-term election.  This week, I'm asking you to vote in an Internet election that is very easy.  You don't even have to leave your chair to cast a vote for the Operation Write Home charity.

JoAnn Fabrics is hosting a contest where whichever charity gets the most votes receives $50,000 to use for their good works.  Here is the link to vote:
http://www.joann.com/joann/common/content_noleftnav.jsp?catName=craftForaCause

What is Operation Write Home? 
Operation Write Home (OWH) sends boxes of hand crafted greeting cards to military personnel overseas who then select cards to send to their family and friends at home.  Think about it like this: There is no Hallmark store in the Afghan mountains or the Iraqi dessert. 

OWH only sends hand crafted cards that are donated by cardmakers from all over the country.  I started sending them cards early this year and have sent about 200 so far.  I love to make cards and make more than I send personally.  It is always wonderful for any of us to receive personal mail - a birthday card, a thinking of you card just out of the blue, etc.  But what about those who have loved ones in the line of duty?  Wouldn't they appreciate even more having something with a handwritten note from their husband, wife, father, son, grandchild?  When I pack up a box of these cards, I imagine how much they mean to those serving in these often desolate locales to see a bright pretty card and how much the card and its sentiment will mean to its ultimate recipient.

How does OWH work?
Cardmakers send their completed cards to one of three shippers in the US.  The closest shipper to me happens to live in Charlotte.  The shippers then sort the cards, add envelopes, and repack boxes of cards to go to units overseas each week. 

As far as I know, OWH is staffed only by volunteers.  The shippers are volunteers.  OWH costs are postage and envelopes.  Yet those costs can add up significantly.  A couple of weeks ago, they sent out 104 boxes across the world at a cost of $1500.  Do that every week and it really adds up. 

Winning the contest from JoAnn's fabrics would be a huge help to the OWH cause.  For more info on OWH visit them at http://www.operationwritehome.org/.

Now the competition for this prize are Project Linus and the American Cancer Society, both very worthwhile charities, too.  Project Linus collects handmade quilts for children in need. I've done a couple of those.  (If you are in my area and quilt, I'd be happy to put you in touch with the coordinator for our area.) 

The card above is one of the last I made before OWH Christmas deadline.  I used Stampin' Up! Season of Friendship set and cut Noel using the Storybook Cartridge on the Cricut.
I hope you will take a moment and vote at JoAnn Fabrics.  It just takes a second.  You can vote as often as once per day until December 4.  http://www.joann.com/joann/common/content_noleftnav.jsp?catName=craftForaCause

Thanks so much!