Operation Write Home

Breaking news: My Swift Swallowtails will be part of Lincoln Park’s Artrageous Show later this month. I am super-excited! More info to come.

Last week I finally sent some cards over to Operation Write Home (and got a truly lovely notification of receipt back). I’ve followed this organization for a while, and had lofty plans to send them a batch of cards once a month last year, but instead my first batch went out last week.

The free stamp that can be requested when joining Operation Write Home

Operation Write Home was founded by Sandy Allnock when she heard of a mother sending a thousand handmade cards to her son’s military unit. An online community developed and more cards were gathered to send overseas.

Eventually, Operation Write Home was formally registered as a nonprofit organization. You can read the history here.

Discover and Typewriter cards by Maike’s Marvels
for Operation Write Home

This vibrant community of patriotic crafters creates handmade cards for our troops, and reached 1 million cards in the spring. Three volunteer shippers (divided by region), including Sandy, collect the blank cards people send in and then organize them to send to various units overseas.

Abstract Hearts by Maike’s Marvels

In addition to the blank cards our armed forces can use to write their loved ones, many boxes include ‘anyhero’ letters, written by adults and children to express appreciation for the deployed.

Maternal cards by Maike’s Marvels
for Operation Write Home’s Mother’s Day shipment

While giving avid cardmakers an outlet to distribute their creations, the group has also become a community offering resources, tips, advice and challenges for crafters. The very active Facebook page shows where cards go, how they are received by the units, and calls for specific types of cards most needed. This month, The group is hosting a Muscle Card Challenge for Father’s Day.

Holiday card deadlines are provided here.

Framed hearts card detail by Maike’s Marvels
for Operation Write Home

Boxes are shipped every week and you can join at any time. Guidelines are here. You can also buy rubber stamps that benefit the group.

Motherly quote for Operation Write Home card
by Maike’s Marvels

If you are not as crafty, a handwritten anyhero letter or card will be appreciated as well, as will some spare change to cover shipping costs.

Operation Write Home encourages groups to host cardmaking and letter writing parties, and has a plethora of resources and layout ideas to get you started.

Typewriter card design by Maike’s Marvels

Even though I hope the need for this organization will fade over time, cards are still needed, and demand has not slowed down (the group is going for the 2 million cards mark now).

Butterflies for an Operation Write Home mother card 

So if you have an abundance of handmade cards in your craft stash, read the guidelines and send the quailifying cards off to Operation Write Home.

World Traveler card design by Maike’s Marvels

I’m excited that my cards are traveling the globe to brighten the day of both the writer and the recipient.

Some of us are nominating Operation Write home on the Helmet of Hope of the Jimmy Johnson Foundation please click and add your nomination if you’re so inclined. It’s a great initiative to nominate another charity of your choice as well.