Thankful Thursday: September 9, 2010

Thank you to everyone sending in cards this week....our shippers have all been noticing how many more cards are coming in stamped!! Bless you - you're saving our shippers hours of work! (Ciara just wanted to drop by and say hey!)

1. Marlene F and everyone in the Crop Circle in Hillsboro OR, what an amazing box of beauties! Thank you!! I truly needed this Hero mail too. ;) :) :)
2. Debra R, Westminster Ca, thank you so much...I especially love hearing that you had such a wonderful team building exercise making cards!
3. Tammy R, Reedsport OR, bless you for the packet of cards, these are awesome!
4. Vicki and everyone at Treasured Memories - I've gotten so used to all these boxes from your crop - what will I do without my weekly dose of you? Love these, thanks so much for another perfectly packed box!
5. Gail S, Sacramento CA - oh my have you been BUSY! You made all these yourself, I am incredibly impressed! Thank you!
6. Thank you, Jeanne FE!! You're a card maker now! And a good one too! Thank you!
7. Pat G. of Upton, MA, thanks for the cards all ready to go! Thank you too for the mail for heroes! There's a card for everyone in this collection!
8. Helen S, San Diego CA, your cards are lovely, thank you!
9. Susan G. of Barnegat, NJ, thank you for the cards, donation, and hero mail. What a nice variety of pretty cards you sent! Something for everyone!
10. Pat S. of Spencerport, NY, thank you for the cards and donation! Love the cards with your "fall" artwork. Beautiful!
11. Linda N, Caldwell ID - thanks so much for all the cards - and your generous donation!
12. Paula S. of Stamford, CT, awesome cards and generous donation! Thank you! Thanks bunches for the liners!! Made my day!
13. Karen L. of Danville, PA, thank you for the beautiful cards and generous donation! Your card designs are fabulous!
14. Thank you Joyce W and friends in Baton Rouge, LA for the cards, donation, and hero mail. Well done!!
15. Marianne P, San Diego CA, thanks so much for your cards!
16. Ann K, Seattle WA, thanks for another great package...yay on beating the deadline!
17. Cathy W, Elbert CO....WOW! This is a wonderful box of beautfiul cards. THANKS!
18. MS Higerd, Colby KS.....thanks for these awesome cards!!!
19. Becca A. of Leesburg, PA, thank you for the super collection of cards! Wow! Great job for our heroes!
20. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Basil S. of Pearl River, NY for the cards!
21. Sharon N, Waterlook IL......thanks for another box of fabulous cards!
22. Rhonda E, Paola KS.......What a great package! These halloween cards are "FANG-TASTIC"!
23. Thank you, Stamping Queens and Treasured Memories Scrapbooks and More in Englewood, FL for the super cards, hero mail, and donation! Well done!
24. Paula P. of Bellvue, OH, your cards are amazing! You're a clever crafter! Thank you for the cards and the donation!
25. UnitedHealth Group "Dollars for Doers" Program - thank you for matching Joy's volunteer hours with a financial gift!! Your company's generosity is much appreciated!
26. Mary Jo S, Arizona City AZ.....thanks so much for these beautiful cards.
27. Cindy M and Friends of Checkered Cottage, ST Louis MO...another fantastic box of awesome cards!
28. Mary S, Taunton MN.....thanks so much for these great holiday cards!
29. Sue A, Rockford IL......another box of awesome cards! Love your style!
30. Carrie W and friends, Clarksville TN.....thanks so much for these awesome cards!
31. Carol B, St Louis MO.....thanks for this box of wonderful cards in so many different themes.
32. Nanette B and Pikes Peak Sunday Stampers......thanks for another wonderful box of cards!
33. Nancy M and FUMC Middle School youth......thanks for taking time to make these cards for our heroes. Much Appreciated!
34. Polly R, Peoria AZ...your cards are awesome, thank you so much! Our heroes will love them!
35. Tina B, Lincoln CA, thanks so much for your packet of card and AnyHero notes!
36. Thank you Bella Studio, American Legion Post 685 and Samantha K of Kent, OH!! Beautiful cards for our heroes! Thanks too for all the terrific cards for "Any Hero"!!
37. Connie H of Sebring, FL, thanks for the great collection of cards! The post cards are a terrific idea!
38. Thank you, Lindsay M. of Carrboro, NC!! Awesome cards! Love the Halloween punches! Thanks too for the donation!
39. Carole B, Allen TX....what beautiful cards and Any Hero notes!!
40. Megan W, Decatur IL.....thanks so much for this awesome box of beautiful cards!
41. Leah C, St Paul MN......WOW!! Two great boxes of cards! These are awesome.
42. Cheryl Y, S Pasadena CA....I always love getting your boxes! Such cute cards, thanks again for another generous donation!
43. Yolanda D, Warrenton MO....another fabulous box of great cards! Thanks so much for them and the donation!
44. Kathy C, Highlands Ranch CO.....thanks so much for these gorgeous cards and the generous donation!
45. Lola M, Vancouver WA - thanks for the cards...glad to hear you connected with other OWHers in your area too!
46. Cathy B, Columbia SC...thank you sooo much for your generous donation!
47. SuzAnn H, Salt Lake City UT - bless you for yet another wonderful donation! :)
48. SuzAnn H, Salt Lake City UT - bless you for yet another wonderful donation! :)
49. Amy S, Aurora CO, love your cards, thanks so very very much!
50. Chris C, Parkland WA, thanks so much for these cards of all themes!!
51. Maria, Fran, Lisa, and Megan, Ephrata PA - WOW! What a box of beautiful cards, thank you so much!
52. Gale A, and everyone at Thursday Therapy, your cards are fannnnnntastic, thank you so much!!
53. Bev T, San Francisco CA, thanks so much for all these great Halloween cards! Boo! :)
54. Thank you Margaret P for these delightful cards for our heroes! Awesome!
55. Laurie W. of Evans, GA, thank you for these fab cards! The jokes in the Halloween cards is such a clever idea!!
56. Sandy R. of Lawrence, MA, thank you for the beautiful cards and hero mail! Love your designs!! Fun!
57. Lily H. of Pittsburgh, PA, thank you for the elegant cards for so many occasions! Thanks too for the extra sentiments!
58. Connie I, Skiatook OK....Thanks so much for these wonderful cards!
59. Debby M, Las Cruces NM.....more gorgeous cards!!! Thanks.
60. Polly P, St Paul MN....thanks for the Halloween cards, I really needed them!
61. Nikki M, APO AE......WOW! Fabulous cards......love your style!
62. Jennifer M, Marshfield WI.....these are awesome! Thanks so much.
63. Melissa M, Ames IA.....Thanks so much for these awesome cards!
64. Dorothy B, Corpus Christi TX....WOW! 4 boxes of cards and beautiful ones at that!
65. Mary Ann S, Fontana CA, your cards are always so darned cute, thanks so much for them all!
66. Amanda J and LUMC Women's Group, IN.....thanks so much for these wonderful cards.
67. Thanks, Robin G. and Stephanie G. for the awesom Halloween cards and the generous donation! Fang-tastic!
68. Sherry H. of Arlington, VA, thank you for the cards and donation! Your "love" cards are stunning!
69. Kristen, Mary & Theresa C, Pittsburgh PA.....thanks for these fabulous cards.
70. Sarah B, Cypress TX.....great cards. Halloween ones were greatly needed. THANKS!
71. Diane I of Lebanon, PA, many thanks to you and your granddaughter for these terrific Halloween cards! Thanks too for the generous donation!
72. Laura J, Albuquerque NM.....what a wonderful box of beautiful cards.
73. Louise F, Frazier Park CA...thanks so very much for your wonderful and generous donation!
74. Lindy C, Seattle WA, love love love your cards, thank you so much! Thanks for the hero mail and donation too, you're awesome!

Mailroom Monday: September 6, 2010

Our shippers are busily packing up holiday cards ahead of the coming shipping time, and we are so grateful to everyone who's gotten them in to us already! Oliver the cat is bravely watching over the ready boxes; let's hope they don't come tumbling down on him! The left three stacks are Christmas cards - just waiting for 20 hero letters to put in each one, then they will be totally ready to roll!

We're currently shipping Halloween cards, along with a mix, in each box; as we get closer to the deadline (Sept 20), you may want to consider making pumpkin cards with "thinking of you" on them if you have an inkling you may not get them to the shipper on time. General pumpkin-y cards can be sent past our Halloween dates since our heroes can use them through October and November.

This week 11,882 cards were mailed out - at a cost of $437.50...holiday shipping levels are creeping in!

To  heroes in Afghanistan:
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to a team of military contractors
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Air Force unit
334 cards to an Air Force unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Air Force unit
350 cards to an Air Force unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Air Force unit
350 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to a team of military contractors

To heroes in Iraq:
334 cards to a team of military contractors
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to a USO
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Air Force unit
334 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Qatar:

To heroes in Kuwait:
350 cards to an Army unit
334 cards to an Army unit

Other fun statistics:
Number of boxes sent: 1851
Number of hero contacts: 904
Total cards sent: 541,032


Deadline reminders:

September 20 - Halloween
September 30 - Birthday Bash cards
October 1 - Thanksgiving
October 30 - Christmas
November 30 - Any Hero Christmas Letters


Current shipper needs: see here.

Thankful Thursday: September 2, 2010

OWH needs Deputies.

Yes, Deputies. Shipping Deputies! We have a lot of you asking to become a shipper; we aren't adding anyone at this time, so we'd like to deputize you instead! See the pile of boxes from Dixie's counter? That's one day's mail! Can you imagine how long it would take to stamp and tuck that many cards if they all arrived needing TLC? A few quotes we've heard from cardmakers:

• "I put a label with my name on it, but am letting you do the OWH stamp." (Why not just add Operation Write Home on the label when you print it?)
• "I'm out of time, so I'm just sending in my cards not stamped on the back." (Save them til you get the time - you have more time available than our shippers do right now. Remember, we're all volunteers too - day-jobs keep us from being able to stamp your cards for you!)
• "Some of my cards are stamped on the back, I just didn't get to them all." (Feel free to hang onto your package til you get time to finish stamping them all.)
• "My friends gave me cards to send in, some are really bad, and others are falling apart. I'm sending them to you for your hospital." (Our shippers need to focus on sorting and shipping; much of the repair work will be waiting til AFTER the holidays. Please have a hospital party and shower some love on the patients before airlifting them to us!)

Be a Deputy and make your shipper incredibly happy. Stamp, tuck (see below), and sort by type. Be sure your envelopes are actually A2s - not the larger 'invitation' envelopes that are bigger. Secure loose embellishments, line dark cards, keep glitter cards to send to  your own family, and remove plastic sleeves. These are all duties that will have to be performed by our three shippers if you don't do it for them—and with piles of boxes like these, all the help you can give is much appreciated!

Some of our new folks are unaware of "the Tuck" - a lot of our cards are coming in with the entire card inside the envelope, or the card simply stuck under the flap. The back of the card goes inside the envie, and the flap folds back. (Cards using a "tent" shaped fold go all the way inside the envelope.) This graphic may help explain:

Many thanks to this week's cardmakers and financial donors...y'all ROCK!

1. Cindy J. of Greenacres, FL, thank you for the cards for our heroes! Love the Halloween brads!
2. Laurie W. of Evans, MA, thank you for the cards! You always have such brilliant designs! Awesome!
3. Thank you Scrapbook Concepts Cardmakers and Karen H. of Florence, SC for this box full of pretty cards for our heroes!
4. Christina S and Jen E, Coon Rapids MN......ladies thank you so much for these awesome cards!
5. Kelly M, Redwood City CA...your watercolored cards are lucious! Thank you!
6. Sharon S, Carlisle PA - thanks so much for the wonderful cards!
7. Cindy and the Los Gatos Elks...another wonderful box. and so much Hero Mail! Bless you all!
8. Karen, Tiffany, Kacie and Autumn, Charlotte MI......thanks so much for these awesome Halloween cards. I was completely out!
9. Maggie R and Alpha Sigma Tav Sorority, Hammond LA......ladies, thanks for taking time to make these great cards!! Appreciate it!
10. Thanks to Katy D. of Arnold, MD and all the Dream Events traveling crop participants in NJ, PA, TN, NC, and MD for these cards for our heroes! Thanks for the Hero Mail too! Scouts rock!
11. Many thanks to the Stamping Away Stamp Club and Mary R. of Sherrodsville, OH! Great cards for our heroes!!
12. Pat Q. of Bethel Park, NY, thank you for the cards! Our heroes will love sending these back home!
13. Thank you Sue B. of Justin, TX for the cards, donation, and hero mail!! Awesome Christmas cards!!
14. Judy H, Tracy MN......thanks for the gorgeous cards!!!
15. Sybilla G. of Gilbertsville, PA, thank you for the cards and the donation! Our heroes are going to love these! I do!
16. Terie H, Washington UT, your cards are absolutely adorable! Thank you so much for the generous donation too :)
17. Marianne C of Naches WA...you make such cute cards!! Your donation is MUCH appreciated...hugs!
18. Kris B. of Athens, GA, what neat Halloween cards you sent! Thanks too for the generous donation!
19. Ann L. of Orem, UT, thank you for these terrific cards and generous donation! A Halloween card for everyone!
20. Becky Jo M, Gardners PA - love your cards...wow! Thanks for the AnyHero mail and donation too...you're awesome!
21. Thank you to the Manhattan Scrapbooking Meetup Group in NY!! Awesome cards! Generous donation! Thanks to ALL of you!
22. Shirley S. of Columbus, MS, thank you for these gorgeous cards and the generous donation and all this Hero Mail! Awesome!!
23. Nanette H and Stamping Memories, Belmont NH.......WOW! What a great box of beautiful cards! Thanks so you and all the customers that made these.
24. Lori R. in Springfield, VA, thanks for the great cards! They're "REEL" pretty!!
25. Thanks Lynn P. of Charlotte, NC for the cards and the hero mail! Love the music paper!
26. Thank you Ellicott City Stampers and Mindy A of West Friendship, MD for another collection of beautiful cards for our troops!
27. Reta M, Fair Oaks Ranch TX....awesome cards!! Love them.
28. Nanette B and Pikes Peak Sunday Stampers and friends, Colordao Springs CO.....another awesome package of cards! Thanks!
29. Hannah F, Bridgeton MO.....another fabulous package of cards! Thank you.
30. Elizabeth S. of New Canaan, CT, thank you for these terrific cards! The Halloween cards are such fun!
31. Many thanks to Diane B. and Coletta K of DeForest, WI!! What a fabulous collection of cards you sent for our heroes to send back home!
32. Karen G. of Oakland Park, FL, thank you for this terrific collection of cards! Awesome! Thanks too for all this Hero Mail! Fabulous!
33. Joy O. of Carmel, IN, thank you for the fabulous cards for our heroes!! Thank you too for the goodies you sent to me! Felt like my birthday!!
34. Helen R, New York NY, thanks so much for the great Thanksgiving cards! Needed those :)
35. Muriel D, San Jose CA...thanks so much for your beautiful cards, our heroes will love them!
36. Betty R of Houston TX, thanks so much for the mix of cards - and your AnyHero note! These will all be treasured! :)
37. Dolores A. of Frederick, MD, thank you for the cards, donation, hero mail, and comics! Love the "Look what I dug up for you" card!
38. Joy S, Columbia MO......welcome to OWH! Your cards are great!!
39. Karen E. of Jewett, OH, thank you for the fabulous cards and generous donation for shipping! Awesome cards!
40. Pam C. of Schenectady, NY, thank you for the great collection of cards! The flowers are beautiful! Thank you too for the generous donation!
41. Carolyn H, Silver City NM.....WOW! These are awesome cards! Thanks so much.
42. Melissa J, Crest Hill IL, you have so blessed our heroes! Your cards, AnyHero Letters, and generous donation will make a huge difference, thank you!
43. Susan A. of Ridgewood, NY, thank you for the cards for our heroes!
44. Thank you Diane S. of Raleigh, NC for the cute cards for our heroes!
45. Thank you Barbara S. of Manville, NJ for the cards for our heroes! So bright and cheerful!
46. Thank you Angela P. of Smyrna, GA!! These are terrific cards! Well done!
47. Lillian L, Arlington VA, thank you so much for the wonderful cards! And welcome back to the States :)
48. Marie W, Cottage Grove MN......an awesome package of beautiful cards! Thank you!
49. Donna M, Gun Barrel City TX.....thanks so much for another awesome box of cards!
50. Linda G. of Ypeilanti, MI, thanks for these cards! Lots of orange and black! Love it! Thanks for the donation too!
51. Diane W. of Coconut Creek, FL, thanks for the fun cards and the generous donation!!
52. Thank you Family Memories in Charlotte, NC for these beautiful cards! Just beautiful! Thank you too for the donation for shipping!
53. Sandi M, Fremont CA......Thanks so much for these gorgeous cards!!
54. LeAnn M, St Paul MN.....another awesome package of cards! Love the Seasame Street cards!!
55. Wendy S, Raleigh NC, thanks so much for the great anytime cards --- love them all, WOW! Your donation is much appreciated too!
56. Kelly M, Redwood City CA - love your cards, especially the "mail call" ones -- perfect! Bless you for your donation as well :)
57. Ann M, Hutchinson MN......WOW! What a great box of gorgeous cards! Thanks for all the Any Hero notes too!
58. Mary B, Kenosha WI.....awesome and beautiful cards! Thanks.
59. Susan T, Cypress TX.....WOW! These are awesome.....love them all, especially the Halloween ones.
60. Ann F and friends, LaGrange IL.....another absolutely fabulous box of cards! Thanks ladies!!
61. Mary J, Auburn WA .... bless you! What a generous donation - so many heroes will get cards because of you, thanks!
62. Kimberley, Jordan, and Michael, Kennewick WA - your cards are just awesome! Dad's friends will really love them!
63. Esther E, Vancouver WA, you are rockin' that yellow cardstock! Awesome, thanks for all the beautiful cards from the Juvenile Justice Center too!
64. Ellen H, Vancouver WA....you make such lovely cards, thank you!!
65. Traci O, Lansing MI.....what wonderful letters by kids who will have parents deploying soon. Heroes currently serving will love these.
66. Cindy M, Pewaukee WI.....thanks for the great cards!
67. Cindy M, Normal IL.....Awesome package of cards! Love them!!
68. Maude B, Las Cruces NM.....another totally fabulous box of cards!! Thanks.
69. Jeanine D. of Cleveland, TN, thank you for the great collection of cards for our heroes! Great scoring job!! Thanks for the Hero Mail too! Awesome!
70. Katie B. of Canajoharie, NY, thank you for these awesome cards! love the paper flowers! Wow!
71. Kimberly M. of Morgantown, WV, thank you for the cards! Spooky! Awesome!
72. Thanks Kaki D. of Lacombe, LA for the cards for our heroes and the inspiration for me!!
73. Donna O. of Louisville, KY, Thank you for the Christmas cards in August!! Hope you get your own made early too!!
74. Stefanie P. of Stauton, VA, thank you for the 2 boxes of beautiful cards! Wowzers!! What talent you have! Thanks for sending them "good to go!"
75. Sue W, Poway CA, your cards are very cute! Thank you!
76. Robin S, San Mateo, CA, you make such lucious AnyHero cards! They'll be so glad to get these!
77. Mary I, Bothell WA - thanks for the cards - and especially the great AnyHero mail!
78. Charlene C, Sinclaire ME, lovely cards, thank you so much, my dear!
79. Thank you Paper Breezers and Ronda S. of Navarre, FL for these awesome cards for our heroes! So many designs and sentiments! Well done!!
80. Sheila and Traci at BECU in Tukwila WA - another box of fantastic cards! Well done!
81. Charrie and everyone at AMVETS Ladies Aux Post #1 - great job on all these cards, thanks!
82. Pamela C. of Virginia Beach, VA, "How you bean?" Love that and the googly eyed cards! Thanks for the cards and the donation!
83. Jenn P, Chicago IL....these are great cards!! I needed the Halloween ones badly!
84. Stephanie G, New York, NY - wow these cards are so cute, thanks once again! Your donation is a big help too!
85. Debby P of Buffalo MO - thanks so much for your EFT giving - you make such a difference every month, thank you!
86. Darlene A. of Palm Bay, FL, thank you for the beautiful cards, generous donation, and hero mail! Love the "Faith" cards!
87. Anne M and eeryone at Venture In Crafters - these are wonderful cards, wow! Thank you so much for your donation and AnyHero mail too!
88. Cheryl W. of Sparta, NJ, thank you for the gorgeous cards, generous donation, and hero mail! Love the cards for children! Awesome!
89. Thanks Jennifer M. of Charlotte, NC for the Halloween cards! Thanks for doing my hospital work too!!
90. Polly R, Peoria AZ, your cards are very very cute, thank you!!
91. Rhonda Z, Balzac Alberta Canada - oh WOW your cards are stunning - love your embellishing style, thank you!
92. Jennifer M, Marshfield WI, bless you for your generous donation :) :) :)
93. Mary M, Hong Kong - thank you sooooo much for your generous donation! So many boxes will be shipped full of holiday love because of you, thank you!
94. Christine G, N Turner ME, thanks for your packet of cards!
95. Mary T, Monroe MI, thanks for your box of cards!
96. Amber M, Goshen IN, thank you for your beautiful creations - our heroes will love them! Your donation is a blessing too!
97. Thank you Holmesburg Baptist Summer Campers in Philadelphia, PA for these creative cards and sincere messages to our military heroes!!
98. Patricia B. of Winchester, VA, thank you for making me laugh out loud! Your cards are wonderful!
99. Mary Sue F. of Lykens, PA, thank you for these terrific cards! Thanks for sending such a nice variety of sentiments!
100. Sherry S. of Somerville, AL, thank you for the lovely cards and the generous donation! Your card liners are the most clever I've seen!
101. Thank you, Lyla W. in Rapid City, SD for the cards for our heroes! Packing Christmas now!
102. Paula E. of Virginia Beach, VA, thanks for the cards and the donation! Santa rocks!
103. Norene M. and Lori L. of Langhorne, PA, Aloha! And thanks for the fun cards from our heroes!
104. Anna B, Murchison TX.....thanks for the big box of cards!
105. Janie G, Brooklyn NY....WOW! What awesome cards. Thanks so much.
106. Cecilia W. of Red Bank, NJ, your cards are delightful! Thank you! Thanks too for the hero mail!
107. Diane S, Gallatin TN......what a great box of cards! Love them!
108. Jenny F, Grand Rapids MN......well I should have checked all the boxes as here is a third box from you....more fabulous cards!!
109. Gai J, Dallas TX....these are fabulous as always! Love your style.
110. Jan S, Apple River IL.....AWESOME cards!!!
111. Jenny F, Grand Rapids MN......WOW! A second box in the same day of awesome cards! THANKS!
112. Bonnie G, Olathe KS......thanks for a great first box of cards. These are wonderful.
113. Megan B, San MArcos TX......thanks for these awesome cards!
114. Kiely B, Longmont CO......LOVE THESE! The googlie eyes are great.
115. Jenny F, Grand Rapids MN.......WOW! These are fabulous cards! Thanks.

Birthday Bash Begins!

It's finally September, and we're officially kicking off the partayyyyyyy!!! Our birthday celebration is going to be so much fun, we'll be partying all month long! We'll have all sorts of things showing up on our blogs throughout the month - here's a rundown of some highlights to watch out for:

Birthday Bash cardmaking parties!
There are crafty ladies nationwide setting up times to get together to make cards for our heroes sometime this month. It's never too late to sign up - here - and if you do sign your party up, we'll send you an OWH rubberstamp for the back of your cards! Check out the calendar here for dates and locations and see if there's one near you - if not - set up your own! There's no size limit - you and one friend, your classmates, workmates, stamp club, or your whole town! Hosts whose cards arrive at the shipper's on or before Sept 30 will be entered for a chance to win a big box of cardstock and other crafty goodies to replenish their supply after their event!!!

Fun on Facebook
For our thousands of fans, we'll be posting a birthday card every day all month long, in addition to all our regular fun! We'll be hosting an all-day virtual party on Sept 19th, with timed challenges to inspire you and prizes to motivate you....we held one of these this spring, and it was so much fun we'll try it again!

Challenges galore
We'll be popping onto challenge blogs all over the crafting world! Stay tuned...as we travel the internet, we'll be populating a link list in the sidebar to show you where all the fun is going on. Prizes will be posted with the challenges themselves, so check them out and play along - let's see if we can overwhelm them with our OWH creativity! Today starts out on the Stars and Stamps blog with our regular Midweek Throwdown - go play along!

AnyHero Party
Our Hero Blog will be the host for an AnyHero cardmaking party on 9/11...what better way to pay tribute to those who stepped up to serve in the wake of the losses on that tragic day. You'll be able to post your AnyHero card for a chance to win a prize.

THE Birthday Party
We'll have some extra special fun here on the Homefront Blog on our actual Birthday, Sept 12th! We'll be premiering our "Just Three Words" video - starring you! We're extending our deadline through Sunday night, Sept 5th....send in your photo quickly!

Birthday Sponsors
Visit the sponsors in our sidebar links - they're being so generous by sponsoring goodies you can win! (The challenge they're sponsoring may not be up right now, but it'll be coming during the month of September!) ****Companies, want to add a prize? Email us! 

Hope you'll stick with us this month - be inspired and motivated, and have a lot of fun!

We have hostess winners!

We promised three prize packages for three parties signed up before Sept 1...and it's now past midnight on the west coast! Random winners were selected using random.org, and they are the following:

Christine R, New York NY

Michelle L, West End NC

Judy A, Pulaski TN

Congratulations!! Your prize boxes are on the way!

Mailroom Monday: August 30, 2010

The real Miss America! This photo was seen on AllMilitary.com and we just had to share. We're so proud of our men and women serving our nation!

This week 7,480 cards were mailed out - at a cost of $275.00! Big thanks to all who donate the funds to cover shipping, crafters who supply the cards, and our hardworking volunteer shippers who process and pack everything to mail out!

To  heroes in Afghanistan:
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to a National Guard unit
350 cards to a National Guard unit
355 cards to a Navy unit
330 cards to an Army unit
330 cards to a contractor team
330 cards to a Marine unit
330 cards to an Air Force unit
330 cards to an Army unit
330 cards to an Air Force unit
330 cards to an Army unit
330 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Iraq:
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
355 cards to an Army unit
355 cards to an Army unit
355 cards to an Air Force unit
330 cards to an Army unit
330 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Qatar:
330 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes in Kuwait:
330 cards to a Navy unit

Other fun statistics:
Number of boxes sent: 1810
Number of hero contacts: 890
Total cards sent: 530,792


Deadline reminders:

September 20 - Halloween
October 1 - Thanksgiving
October 30 - Christmas
November 30 - Any Hero Christmas Letters


Current shipper needs: see here.

OWH's Biggest Needs

If you're looking to target what the biggest needs are for Operation Write Home, you've come to the right place! We'll update this post from time to time - rather than on the Mailroom Monday posts. We also have a link to this post on our homepage, so you can always find it quickly! You can also click on the "Needs" category off to the right.

Note: We accept any themes your creativity produces - so if you're not in the "zone" to meet the requests on this post, please don't hold back on what you have to offer for our heroes!




 

Kris: I'm in need of thinking of you, miss you, love, anniversary and all occasion cards. I have tons of birthday already. Thanks much!!

Sandy: I'd love a good mix of themes - especially toss in a few birthday and missing you cards. Love you ladies!

Dixie: I could use some more "Thank You" and "Miss You" cards. As always, I need masculine birthday cards. Thank you!

Other ways you can help:
Post on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook about OWH.
Find friends who have a "stash" of cards that's collecting dust.
Host a cardmaking party of your own.
Set up a challenge for your friends online or at your stamp club.
Ask a local retailer for their old sample cards.
Help out by hosting a challenge on the Stars and Stamps blog!