CARDS FOR HEROES BLOGHOP

Monday is Memorial Day, a day that we traditionally have set aside to remember those who have fought for our freedom.
However the day is often welcomed as a day off from school or work, the 'official' kick-off to summer and sales abound everywhere. But what about those who cannot be with us? The men and women that are out there on the front lines everyday fighting for these kinds of freedoms?
This weekend, Cards for Heroes wants to spread the word in remembering these 'heroes'. Through the bloghop this weekend (click the blinkie at the left to start at the very beginning) you will read stories about the men and women who serve and the organization that remembers them, not just on Memorial Day, but throughout the year by sending handmade cards donated from card makers like myself and others. These donated cards are sent to our troops so they in return can send beautiful cards to their loved ones back at home that wait and pray for their safe return. There are no card shops in these war torn areas, so the troops appreciate the shipments of cards that are sent to them through Cards For Heroes.
The cards are sent not only to places like Afghanistan and Iraq, but also to our Navy Vessels that are out to sea. Many of us are familiar with the recent kidnapping of Captain Phillips by Pirates off the coast of Africa. My best friend's son-in-law serves in the Navy and is out to sea. I knew that he was somewhere off the coast of Africa, so when I heard this news, I contacted her to ask if he was on the ship that was involved. He certainly was - the USS Bainbridge was in the waters where this kidnapping took place. When Navy Seals took out the pirates, Captain Phillips was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge. We all were relieved at the outcome - that it was successful and no American lives were lost in this incident. Shortly after this incident occurred, a shipment of cards from Cards For Heroes was sent to the USS Bainbridge. The men aboard the ship were delighted and surprised to receive the shipment of cards - exclaiming 'there were like 300 or more cards'!! It is stories like these that cause us to remember EVERYDAY those men and women and to continue to send cards so THEY 'OUR HEROES' can remember their loved ones. Along with each shipment of 300+ cards, there are 'anyhero' cards - cards of thanks written to the troops thanking them for their service.
I got involved with Cards For Heroes mainly because I love making cards, but make more than I can use and the cards were just sitting around. I had cards from swaps, cards I have made for challenges. Beautiful cards, wonderful cards - but cards just gathering dust. I knew that there were organizations out there that would make use of my extra cards - so when I discovered Cards for Heroes, I knew this was the organization that I wanted to donate too. My first shipment was sent earlier this year and it was 100 cards that were a combination of cards I had made and cards I had received in swaps. I have another 50 cards that I have made that are ready to ship and another 50+ from swaps that I have to get ready to ship. In the meantime, I continue to make cards everyday through the challenges on the 365 card blog - as you scroll down on my blog, you can see some of these cards - most all of them will go to Cards For Heroes.

An organization like this relies on the many volunteers that donate and TEREZA is another volunteer that donates cards that she and her daughter make. You can read all about how she got involved in CFH here.

During this weekend, I will be putting together some blog candy (it's a surprise). Just by leaving a comment, I will put your name in a basket and at the end of the hop I will choose one hopper. It is my way of saying THANKS for visiting and learning more about CFH (and it is ALSO my birthday on Tuesday!!)

Thanks for stopping by - and don't forget - if you have landed here quite by accident, start at the top of the hop by clicking on the blinkie at the top of the page. ~*~ Paula *~*