Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Aug 17, 2023 12:50:39 GMT
So, I finally reached out to Altenew. They apologized for the outdated info and said they'd take the old page down. Thanked them and asked again about some permanent but more general web page that could be included in my card drive info sheet. They replied again that they'd take the old page down and that they announce it in their newsletter and the details will be in the blog.
I really want to reply and say that it seems they are not interested in donations from card makers outside their current customer base or in using the card drive as any kind of wider marketing tool.
But really, I am more and more convinced that they're running the whole company the way hobby Stampin' Up demonstrators run their "businesses" so why bother?
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Aug 17, 2023 17:37:23 GMT
So, I couldn't quite leave well enough alone. I responded to their last message about the drive being announced in their newsletter and in their blog with, "OK. I’m getting the impression that you don’t care to reach out to the card making and card donating community beyond those already subscribed to your newsletter and/or blog. I will respect that and leave this card drive off of my resource list."
EtA: Wow! That was fast -- I already have a response from a different "customer happiness team member" saying that they appreciate my suggestion to create a permanent page for Celebrating Parents and that it's already been forwarded to their marketing team. So, stay tuned.
It is true that I am leaving off of my list any drive that you have to dig through a blog or facebook page or what have you to find. I am using having some kind a permanent accessible web presence as the main criterion for inclusion. Those seem to be the card drives that you can rely on.
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Post by joblackford on Aug 17, 2023 17:49:18 GMT
So, I finally reached out to Altenew. They apologized for the outdated info and said they'd take the old page down. Thanked them and asked again about some permanent but more general web page that could be included in my card drive info sheet. They replied again that they'd take the old page down and that they announce it in their newsletter and the details will be in the blog. I really want to reply and say that it seems they are not interested in donations from card makers outside their current customer base or in using the card drive as any kind of wider marketing tool. But really, I am more and more convinced that they're running the whole company the way hobby Stampin' Up demonstrators run their "businesses" so why bother? Yeah, I guess they just want people to sign up for their newsletter. It may be one of those things where they are happy to run a small scale card drive where their customers are using their products but not much interested in handling a bigger one with all of us using whatever we want. I can understand, tbh. It's probably harder to integrate into a small business than we realize and doesn't help their profits at all. I'm happier to support charities that do this as their main mission. But I'm glad they will take down their old page! Thanks for alerting them to the problem. |
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Post by joblackford on Sept 19, 2023 3:20:46 GMT
Bring Smiles to Seniors has an update on their mailing addresses. They’re still finalizing all of them but there’s a new west coast address here.  IMG_0435 by jo.blackford, on Flickr |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Feb 4, 2024 13:26:58 GMT
2024 Cards for Cubs registration is open.
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Post by joblackford on Feb 4, 2024 19:53:01 GMT
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639 
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Feb 5, 2024 3:51:36 GMT
Thanks for posting the info. I signed up! DW will be out of town for a few days in March. That should give me a nice chunk of time to get a bunch of cards made. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Feb 27, 2024 1:32:23 GMT
The blog post announcing Altenew's Celebrating Parents card drive 2024: link |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 11, 2024 22:11:59 GMT
I'm doing Cards for Cubs for the first time and have a question for those of you that have participated in previous campaigns: Are the themes they are ask for (birthday/encouragement) the same themes they use every year, or does it change from year to year? I ask because I wonder if I could work on them throughout the year instead of just during the month of March. I would be able to donate more if this is the case. Thank you!  Tagging those that have prior Cards for Cubs experience: MichyM joblackford Shakti |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 11, 2024 22:43:51 GMT
I'm doing Cards for Cubs for the first time and have a question for those of you that have participated in previous campaigns: Are the themes they are ask for (birthday/encouragement) the same themes they use every year, or does it change from year to year? I ask because I wonder if I could work on them throughout the year instead of just during the month of March. I would be able to donate more if this is the case. Thank you! Tagging those that have prior Cards for Cubs experience: MichyM joblackford Shakti They are always the same  I mostly do birthdays for them since I don't have much other chance to make birthday cards, but I'm pretty sure the last 3 years or so it's been encouragements and birthdays |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 12, 2024 2:06:13 GMT
I'm doing Cards for Cubs for the first time and have a question for those of you that have participated in previous campaigns: Are the themes they are ask for (birthday/encouragement) the same themes they use every year, or does it change from year to year? I ask because I wonder if I could work on them throughout the year instead of just during the month of March. I would be able to donate more if this is the case. Thank you! Tagging those that have prior Cards for Cubs experience: MichyM joblackford Shakti They are always the same I mostly do birthdays for them since I don't have much other chance to make birthday cards, but I'm pretty sure the last 3 years or so it's been encouragements and birthdays That works. Thank you!! |
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,955
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Mar 12, 2024 16:17:27 GMT
I'm doing Cards for Cubs for the first time and have a question for those of you that have participated in previous campaigns: Are the themes they are ask for (birthday/encouragement) the same themes they use every year, or does it change from year to year? I ask because I wonder if I could work on them throughout the year instead of just during the month of March. I would be able to donate more if this is the case. Thank you! Tagging those that have prior Cards for Cubs experience: MichyM joblackford Shakti Yes and thats what I do. I get a medium box from the post office and just start filling it up. |
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Post by MichyM on Mar 18, 2024 21:53:10 GMT
This winter my card making group worked on cards for cubs. We ended up with about 10 people contributing for a total of 480 cards. Three large priory boxes. Twenty four pounds of cards. Amazing! I sent them out today.  |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Mar 18, 2024 23:55:58 GMT
I think I have 100, just me, maybe 110. There's a small chance I could manage one more 10-pack (I think that last batch of 6 encouragement cards needs four more to complete one), but I'm tempted to just pull the trigger and let the rest wait 'til next year.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 19, 2024 17:48:27 GMT
I will have 70 cards to send to Cards for Cubs. My goal was 100 but an elbow injury has really limited the amount of time I can craft in a day. I still need to finish up any that will have stamped sentiments inside. My goal is to have them posted by the end of the week. This has been fun! I was able to move out a handful of cards that had been sitting in my stash for years, so that feels good.
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Post by joblackford on Mar 19, 2024 20:42:25 GMT
I will have 70 cards to send to Cards for Cubs. My goal was 100 but an elbow injury has really limited the amount of time I can craft in a day. I still need to finish up any that will have stamped sentiments inside. My goal is to have them posted by the end of the week. This has been fun! I was able to move out a handful of cards that had been sitting in my stash for years, so that feels good. Great job! Hope your elbow is better soon. I can imagine that's a real pain... |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 19, 2024 20:43:19 GMT
This winter my card making group worked on cards for cubs. We ended up with about 10 people contributing for a total of 480 cards. Three large priory boxes. Twenty four pounds of cards. Amazing! I sent them out today. Wowzers! That's amazing! Must have felt SO SO GOOD to get those boxes in the mail |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 19, 2024 20:45:18 GMT
I think I have 100, just me, maybe 110. There's a small chance I could manage one more 10-pack (I think that last batch of 6 encouragement cards needs four more to complete one), but I'm tempted to just pull the trigger and let the rest wait 'til next year. Great work! I'm giving myself a few more days this week but at a certain point you just have to call it done. I have all kinds of designs I was going to come back to and mass produce but if I don't start that tomorrow it's not going to happen this year. Doesn't hurt to have a few left behind to start next year's box! |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 25, 2024 20:50:29 GMT
Cards for Cubs is due this week! I just mailed them my large box with 190 birthday and 50 encouragement cards inside and sponsored a box to be sent to a foster care agency. I've been sharing this link on IG for friends who don't make cards but might be inspired to donate to have them sent out. cardsforcubs.org/pages/sponsor-a-case $20 donation pays for one box. BTW if you donate and don't want to pay shipping for the thank you "gift" you can go back into the cart to remove it - you just have to get out of the checkout page and click on the cart/basket, top right. Took me a minute to figure it out. I'll give them $20 for a box but don't really want to pay another $4 for some stickers to advertise the cause. |
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Post by freeatlast on Mar 27, 2024 22:09:59 GMT
Shoutout to joblackford for introducing me to Cards for Cubs a couple of years ago. My box of 100 encouragement cards went postal today. I had more ideas but ran out of time. Before I put the stamp sets back where they belong, I'll do my future self a favor and make a list of those ideas I didn't get to. |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 27, 2024 22:42:05 GMT
I finally got my box out today. Expected delivery is Friday, so just making the deadline. I will say I am completely burned out on making cards. Now that I’m better informed, instead of a mad rush during the month of March, I’ll make them year round.
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Post by joblackford on Mar 28, 2024 15:04:46 GMT
Shoutout to joblackford for introducing me to Cards for Cubs a couple of years ago. My box of 100 encouragement cards went postal today. I had more ideas but ran out of time. Before I put the stamp sets back where they belong, I'll do my future self a favor and make a list of those ideas I didn't get to. Woohoo! Great job I usually have lots of good ideas I don’t get to as well. Sometimes I make a sample, or lately I try to leave a post it note on stamps with the ideas I have for them. I’ve got two new-to-me stamp sets I planned to use but just didn’t get to this time. I’ve left them up front in my storage with a plan to use them or lose them. |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 28, 2024 15:14:27 GMT
I finally got my box out today. Expected delivery is Friday, so just making the deadline. I will say I am completely burned out on making cards. Now that I’m better informed, instead of a mad rush during the month of March, I’ll make them year round. You did it! I try to keep a box going all the time, but I tend to work seasonally so most of my Cubs cards are done mid Jan - Mar. I have a spot for any childish birthday or encouragements I might happen to make the rest of the year, but I have enough different drives that I’m usually focused on something else once I’m done with the current one. This year after Cards for Cubs I’m doing the Altenew parents drive - I had cards ready last year but they didn’t do it, so I’ll add a few more and call that good. Then I scramble to do some red white and blue (no sentiment) postcards for Jill’s 9/11 charity (she needs those quite early), then it’s pretty much just Christmas and whatever I feel like for Bring Smiles for Seniors. They are more in need of cards with messages and signatures inside now, so I plan to allow more time to do that, my least favorite part. |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 28, 2024 16:00:37 GMT
I finally got my box out today. Expected delivery is Friday, so just making the deadline. I will say I am completely burned out on making cards. Now that I’m better informed, instead of a mad rush during the month of March, I’ll make them year round. You did it! I try to keep a box going all the time, but I tend to work seasonally so most of my Cubs cards are done mid Jan - Mar. I have a spot for any childish birthday or encouragements I might happen to make the rest of the year, but I have enough different drives that I’m usually focused on something else once I’m done with the current one. This year after Cards for Cubs I’m doing the Altenew parents drive - I had cards ready last year but they didn’t do it, so I’ll add a few more and call that good. Then I scramble to do some red white and blue (no sentiment) postcards for Jill’s 9/11 charity (she needs those quite early), then it’s pretty much just Christmas and whatever I feel like for Bring Smiles for Seniors. They are more in need of cards with messages and signatures inside now, so I plan to allow more time to do that, my least favorite part. What is the timing for this one (bolded above)? Is there info about it in this thread? Thank you, Jo! |
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Post by joblackford on Mar 28, 2024 19:39:22 GMT
I think I may have posted about it before, I’m not sure. The person who runs it is just_jill_07 on IG, or justjill07.blogspot.com. She’s just a lady who collects cards from other crafters and provides them to charities, one woman show, so the info is a little vague. I learned about her from another crafty friend making RWB cards and got in her email list. The charity provides cards to kids for a 9/11 day of service, and want red white and blue cards with no sentiments, which is harder than you might think! She found out they don’t care about the cards being folded so she asks us to make them as A2 postcards so she can fit twice as many in each box she sends out. Examples here justjill07.blogspot.com/2020/03/2020-what-crazy-times-we-live-in-think_25.htmlhttp://instagram.com/p/CrtZ2Impc-r Info comes about monthly via an emailed newsletter. She has a certain goal for the RWB cards, 5000 last year, and once she’s close to it she will ask that people stop making and sending them until the next year. I think it was May-July even though the event is in Sept. I can check my old emails. |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,639
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 28, 2024 21:14:50 GMT
I think I may have posted about it before, I’m not sure. The person who runs it is just_jill_07 on IG, or justjill07.blogspot.com. She’s just a lady who collects cards from other crafters and provides them to charities, one woman show, so the info is a little vague. I learned about her from another crafty friend making RWB cards and got in her email list. The charity provides cards to kids for a 9/11 day of service, and want red white and blue cards with no sentiments, which is harder than you might think! She found out they don’t care about the cards being folded so she asks us to make them as A2 postcards so she can fit twice as many in each box she sends out. Examples here justjill07.blogspot.com/2020/03/2020-what-crazy-times-we-live-in-think_25.htmlhttp://instagram.com/p/CrtZ2Impc-r Info comes about monthly via an emailed newsletter. She has a certain goal for the RWB cards, 5000 last year, and once she’s close to it she will ask that people stop making and sending them until the next year. I think it was May-July even though the event is in Sept. I can check my old emails. Thank you for the info!! |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 9, 2024 17:28:03 GMT
This year after Cards for Cubs I’m doing the Altenew parents drive - I had cards ready last year but they didn’t do it, so I’ll add a few more and call that good. Just to be clear, they did do the drive last year, but all the information was in posts on their blog. I searched on their website and found a page talking about their original one several years prior. Therefore I had an address that no longer worked. My donation to them will get dropped at UPS today. Sending Smiles to Seniors seems to have refined their card theme requirements a little. I guess it makes sense that they don't need certain types, but I thought last time I looked they took just about every kind of card. |
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Post by joblackford on Apr 9, 2024 18:25:02 GMT
This year after Cards for Cubs I’m doing the Altenew parents drive - I had cards ready last year but they didn’t do it, so I’ll add a few more and call that good. Just to be clear, they did do the drive last year, but all the information was in posts on their blog. I searched on their website and found a page talking about their original one several years prior. Therefore I had an address that no longer worked. My donation to them will get dropped at UPS today. Sending Smiles to Seniors seems to have refined their card theme requirements a little. I guess it makes sense that they don't need certain types, but I thought last time I looked they took just about every kind of card. Ah, got it. In that case they did a terrible job of promoting their drive last year. I get the feeling that BSTS has grown so much and were so open to everything in the beginning that it got out of hand and they're having to drill down now. They're encouraging people to send their donations to the closest local coordinator, which makes a lot more sense than sending everything to Florida. And I've heard on IG they would really like more people to send cards with handwritten messages inside - they have too many makers and not enough writers. Sigh. I don't love the writing part but I'm going to suck it up and do it. I just need to keep up with it so it's not a huge task when I have the box full already. It encourages me to add more to the insides anyway, stamping a sentiment, etc. Copying the theme guidelines from their site for reference: " - We welcome cards that are store bought or hand crafted
- Every day "thinking of you" type cards and holiday cards are all welcome.
- We are unable to use cards such as birthday, anniversary, get well, thank you, or congratulations. We do not have personal information on residents in the communities to properly use these cards. If we do receive them, they are donated to senior communities, but due to a large quantity of these types of cards being received, we ask that you refrain from sending those." I had emailed them once about thank you cards and they said they could only use those if they were military service themed for Veteran's Day etc. Full details here including addresses: www.bringsmilestoseniors.com/card-guidelines-and-faq |
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Post by joblackford on Apr 9, 2024 18:33:16 GMT
This is even more efficient if you have a batch of written-in cards ready to go... You can mail them directly to a senior community ready to receive them. Cut out the middleman and save some postage costs for the BSTS organization.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 10, 2024 13:17:11 GMT
I think I need to get back to work on that card donation summary document, because I am getting confused myself about who wants what and when and how....
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