Cards for Kate Card Drive

Hello, cardmakers.  If you are like me, you love any excuse to make a card.  And it is even better when it can be given to someone who really needs it.  Don't you agree?  Yep - it is time for a new Card Drive - a Cards for Kate Card Drive. 

Here is some info about Kate:

About 6 weeks ago the life of the McRae family changed forever when their precious 5 year old daughter, Kate, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.  Dad (Aaron) is a pastor in Arizona and he and his wife, Holly have two other children, Will and Olivia.  Of course this is devastating for the whole family and many are praying for them.   (Go to www.prayforkate.com to learn more about this family and their struggle).  Kate has a rough road ahead of her for quite awhile.  When you hear their story you will want to do anything you can to help.

And one thing we can do to help is to send cards to Kate and her family to encourage them, give them strength, and let them know how many people are thinking about and praying for them.  And the most generous and kind people in the world are crafters so we thought we’d have a Cards for Kate Card Drive.  This time I have two rockin' friends helping me out - Jana Millen and Kristina Proffitt.  Be sure to watch their blogs for more info, etc.

Think of how much it would encourage this family to receive cards from all over the world.  You can simply send the cards to me. We will then box them up and pay to send them to Kate's parents.  (We have already gotten the ok from them.)

The details:

• Cards can be for any member of Kate's family:

                           -  Kate (age 5) - The sweet girl who is battling cancer.
                           -  Little brother Will, age 4.
                           -  Bigger sister Olivia, age 7.
                           -  Mom and Dad, Aaron and Holly.

• Cards can be anything cheery, encouraging, supportive, etc.  (This family is a family of God, so for all you Christians out there, feel free to share messages of Faith.)  Anyone can send a card - even your children!

• Please write a message in the card and sign your name and where you are from.  On the card envelope, please write the name of who the card is for (Kate, Will, Olivia, Aaron and/or Kate).  Also, please don't seal the envelope, as Kate's parents might want to preview cards before the kids see them.

• With your cards, please include a piece of paper with your name, address, email address and number of cards.  We will keep these for picking out prizes.  For each card you send, you will get a chance.  So the more cards you send, the better your chances.  (See below.)

• The cards should be sent to:

                        Jennifer McGuire
                        Card Drive for Kate
                        PO Box 428612
                        Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

• Please send the cards to arrive by October 15. This should give enough time for those overseas to play along. As we get enough to fill a box to send to Kate's family, we will send them.  This way they don't get them all at once.  And since they are having some struggles lately, the sooner we get some cards, the better.  You are welcome to still send in cards!

• If you want to send more than just a card (such as a gift), please just send directly to the address given HERE.  Stickers, things to color, etc are welcome.

• If you want to donate money to Kate's family, please click HERE.  If you want to help cover the costs of shipping, feel free to include some money in with your cards.  Any money leftover will be donated to the family.  (But there is NO need to include money.)

And... how about some prizes as a thank you for participating?  For all the cards we get, we will pick random winners of some great prizes.  Click HERE for up-to-date prize info.  Stuff will be added soon and often.  Please keep in mind that winners will be pick based on piece of paper you include with your cards with your name and info. So, be sure to include it!

Thank you everyone,

Jennifer, Kristina and Jana

ETA: We are now collecting cards for Eric, too.  Here is information...

As you know, we have received an AMAZING amount of cards for Kate.  Wow.  You are all amazing.  So we thought we would bring another child into the drive.  This way, if you still want to make cards or make more cards, you can make them for this child.  Just spreading the joy around a bit.  If you have already sent cards, those will go to Kate and her family.  But any future ones - it would be great if they were made for Eric and his family.  (You will be eligible for the same prizes.)  In hopes that we can get cards for him, too, we will extend the deadline just a touch - the prizes will be drawn on October 31 - so you have time to get them in before we pick prize winners.

OK... on to Eric...

 

UPDATED TO ADD: I am very sorry to say that Eric passed away in October.  However, you are still welcome to send cards for his family.

I found out about Eric from my friend Kathy Rocoosin.  Eric has ALD.  (ALD is an inherited recessive genetic disorder linked to the X chromosome.  The 1992 movie "Lorenzo's Oil" brought this rare disorder to the world's attention.)  He was diagnosed on May 18th, and his little brother received the same diagnosis on May 29th. For information and updates on Eric, you can visit his website HERE.

Eric's mom, Leslie says, “Eric is a fighter and he has endured a tremendous amount.  I am confident that he will not surrender.  The docs have not thrown the towel in and we have not either... so pray hard everyone because we really do need a miracle.”

Eric will be 9 on 10/26.  He has a sister (Rachel - 7) and brother (Jacob - 5).  His dad is Bob and his mom is Leslie.

All the "guidelines," mailing info, etc is the same as for Kate.  You can find it all HERE.  Again, we would love it if you mailed the cards to arrive here by October 31.

I know I have asked a lot from you all to send cards for Kate and her family.  But if you could just do it one more time - this time for Eric and his family - that would be wonderful.  Imagine how much it would make him smile. 

Thanks, everyone.

Hugs.

Comments

[Sandra]

You can count on me!! both for prayers for the entire family and some cards.

[Sandi N.]

Jennifer

My girls and I want to be counted in on the prayers and card making.
Bless Jana, Kristina and you for stepping up to help.

By the way the girls love the cardd from your class.

Thanks
Sandi N.

[D.]

Thank you for organizing this! I have been following their story and praying for Kate and the McRae family. I'll be sending mine in!

[Maeghan M.]

Hi Jennifer,

I'm interested in sending a few, but was wondering--- did you want each card to be mailed in a double envelope-- i.e. an outer envelope addressed to you with an inner envelope with the recipient's name on it? Thanks!!!!

[Alnette]

Thank you Jennifer for putting this together along w/ Jana and Kristina. You can count on me for sure! I will pray each night for Kate and her family. Will send some cards soon!

[Lorena Canto]

Count me in!! This is such a thoughtful and generous thing to do!! Thank you girls, will be sending some cards soon from Uruguay. Hope they'll make it safely to that family!

[Jennifer McGuire]

If you just want to mail it to me, i can put it in a new envelope to give to them. no problem!

[charlene]

Thanks for making this easy for us to join in on and for all your kindness.

[Jane]

sending prayers and I will be sending cards asap!!! Thanks for letting me take part!

[Angie]

thank you for doing this thsi is so nice of you to do this teach us a great lesson of love and service thank you :D

[Colleen]

What a wonderful idea and count me in!

[Stephanie]

this is a wonderful idea, my prayers are with the family and i will be making cards this weekend for them! thanks for sharing this opportunity with us.

[Anita]

I just finished a card that would be perfect. I will send cards soon.

[Krys72599]

What a kind and thoughtful thing to do!
Count me in!!!
Cards on the way!!!

[Danielle]

What a wonderful thing to do - count me in!

[Kelly]

How old is Olivia? Kate is five, Will is younger, but I couldn't find Olivia age.

[Lynn Spencer]

I will make a few cards to send to each member of the family and keeping them
in my prayers!

[Sally Sherfield]

I've done a card and its in the post.

[Kathyc on SCS]

Sending out cards to you and prayers for Kate and her family. Thanks for doing this Jennifer!

[diane mcvey]

What a heartbreaking story...I am so sorry for Kate and her family.
You are doing a great thing by collecting cards for her. I will try to send one, too! Bless you for being such a great person.
Hugs to everyone involved...

[Stacy Milford]

I first read about this family on Jana's blog & dug thru my "made" cards pile...found a few that would work & made a card for Will...so they are ready to send out. Thanks for sharing the story.

[Wendi]

Thank you all for doing this. This wonderful family attends our church, where Aaron is a pastor. It is really a rough time for them all, even with their strong faith. This will be a wonderful gift for them all. Thank you one and all for all of your time and for your love to do this. God bless you all.

[Jingle]

My card is on the way!

[kathy racoosin]

HI Jennifer,
I hope you are feeling better...your twitter don't indicate that so I put in for a speedy recovery while I am praying! I have cards for the entire family going out tomorrow...sending your way!
HHH,Kathy (crazy4stamps)

[kathy racoosin]

Well...I should have proof read the post before sending it...oh well ...it's late. Sorry for so many mistakes! Hope you feel better tomorrow! Hugs,Kathy

[Anesha]

Thank you for bring this family to my attention. Will keep them in my prays. Card will be in the post next week.

Thank you for doing this. God bless.
Anesha

[Kimberly Brock]

I'll be working on this and posted it to my facebook for all of my scrappy friends! Thanks for sharing the information Jennifer!

[Account Deleted]

I love this. In fact, I got extremely teary when watching the video on the C.C. blog. I've posted about it on my blog too and will definitely be sending some cards. I hate it when these things happen but I love the result of bringing people together and working for the greater good!

[Lori Reinholz]

Hi Jennifer,

Kate is so Precious and I will be praying for her and her family. I will also share this with my yahoo stamping group! I also, would like to know the ages of Will and Olivia. I think it is helpful in the cards I create for them! They should be geared just for them. Thank you Jennifer, Kristina and Jana for organizing this! Hugs Lori Reinholz (ThestampersUnte Group)

[Jennifer McGuire]

i am not sure of the ages. i think Will is 2-3 and Olivia is 6-7.

[Lori Reinholz]

Thanks Jennifer! I have sent a inqiring post to my group to see if they want to send cards as a group! If so, I will send you a package with cards from my group members! My heart breaks for this sweet child and her family!
Hugs Lori
[email protected]

[Jennifer McGuire]

that would be wonderful!

[Christina Bower]

Hello: I just found out about this project and will definitely be sending cards to Kate and her family. I would also like to offer a prize for your project. I am the owner of Sunshine's Stamps (http://sunshinesstamps.blogspot.com/ ) and would like to donate a prize of 5 free digital images from our shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7806658 of the winners choice. Please send me an e-mail at [email protected] to let me know if you would like to add this prize to your list of prizes.

God Bless for beginning this amazing project.

Sunshine :) aka Christina Bower

[Debbie Nelson]

What a wonderful thing to do for this family..count me in!

[paula]

i'm adding kate to my prayer list right now!

[Jacky]

I ended up making 4 cards this weekend that should be on their way to you soon! I also blogged about it and added it to my sidebar in the hopes that more people will join! Thanks for heading this up.

http://thesweetestpetunia.blogspot.com/2009/09/cards-for-kate.html

[Julie Matthews]

Thank you for helping this family. The cards will surely put some smiles on their faces. We are all praying for Kate. I have shared this information with my stamping group in the hopes that they too will be sending some cards your way.

You are all wonderful for taking the time to help this family.
Julie M.

[Bety]

Hi Jennifer I have lots of cards around 30-50 but i do not have envelopes, can I send them without them? thanks!

[[email protected]]

What size cards? I have lots of envelopes I could send.

[Jennifer McGuire]

yes... i have envelopes. are you able to put a little message in each? thanks!

[Linda W.]

Hi Jennifer - just seeing this now after linking from Hero Art's Flickr group. Will send cards and $$ (for postage & whatever) soon. A girl from work has a little boy with cancer and it's so hard on the whole family. So great of you to organize this to help Kate & family cope with it. Linda W. (scrappinbari)

[Elizabeth]

I´m doing a card for this little princess! ;)

[Linda Peterson]

Thank you for organizing this card drive. I love to make cards and if there is a purpose for them, it is even more rewarding. My heart goes out this family and what they are going thru. I will be working on cards for all of them.

[Jennifer Scull]

just finished up a card for Will and have posted info on my blog. thank you for bringing all of this to our attention! :)

[LuvLee]

Ohhh I definitely will be send a card and lots of prayers!!!! I'm soooo glad Gina K. featured this on her blog so I could participate!!!!! HUGS to you all for organizing this!!!!

[terriavidreader]

I love doing cards for a cause, and this is special. I've packed up 4 cards already for mailing!

[Monica]

Mine are ont he way from Canada. What a wonderful idea!

[Katlyn T.]

I'm in!! I will make some cards and try and send them to you. I was thinking of sending each of the kids something... If so that would come in one box. Should I send the box to you with the cards and just give you a little extra for shipping, or should I send the "gift box" straight to them and the cards straight to you?

[Jennifer McGuire]

you can send to me.

[Dana.C.]

Jennifer this family has been in my heart and prayers for a long time. Actually since you put this up on your blog. Kids are so precious and life even more so. So it is with great love for kids that my heart is reaching out and praying for this sweetheart. I pray that God will grant them strength for each new day, mercy and grace for each hurt and tear. May He be around and about them in such a special way and may they feel His presence near. And may God bless you and your family has you step out in faith and love to minister to this family, Strangers in life but family in Christ.
Sending cards in the next few weeks. Many Blessings.